The City of Danville is advancing plans for improvements in the Madison Square area now that an $850-thousand-dollar federal grant has been approved. Bill Pickett has the details…
Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. explains how the city plans to use the money….
{AUDIO: “One is infrastructure in the neighborhood for roads, sidewalks, sewers – things like that. Also, the other big thing is housing. Helping people improve their homes but also eliminating blight and getting rid of the bad houses in this area.”}
Congresswoman Robin Kelly was in Danville Wednesday and delivered an over-sized $850-thousand-dollar check to Mayor Williams in a ceremony at Logan Avenue and Chandler Streets, but Kelly said it might be months before the money arrives.
Representative Kelly says she is looking forward to the improvements in that area of Danville….
{AUDIO: “You know when people feel good, if a neighborhood looks good, people want to move in. People don’t want to move out. And it also stirs other things – like economic development and things like that. And we want people to be proud of where they live, and where they live, work, and play. Because it’s very close to the hospital, too.”}
The area targeted for improvements is bounded by Main Street on the south, Williams Street on the north, Gilbert Street on the east, and Logan Avenue on the west.
Mayor Williams notes part of the efforts will focus on linking the Madison Square area with Ellsworth Park….
{AUDIO: “We’ve been working with Carle on the possibility of tying in a trail. We already have a trail going down to Ellsworth but it’s not directly connected to this neighborhood. We want to connect it to this neighborhood. Also, everyone knows our long-term goal is to get the Kickapoo Rail Trail going into Ellsworth Park. So if it does, then you would be able to go all the way from Urbana to downtown Danville which would be awesome.”}
Wednesday’s check presentation was done near the Carle and Christie at the Riverfront medical offices.
(In top photo on left is Danville Alderwoman Carolyn Wands, along with Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Danville Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr.)
