A resurfacing project on U.S. Business Route 24 in the downtown Washington square has grown larger than originally planned.
The Washington City Council on Tuesday approved spending as much as $140,000 to mill, overlay and stripe the parking areas on the north and south side of the square, and replace crumbling bricks with asphalt on sidewalks in the northeast and southwest corners, where handicap ramps eventually will be built.
The Illinois Department of Transportation [IDOT] — as part of its project to resurface Business Route 24 within the city limits — planned to mill and overlay just the inside lane around the square.
The project now includes the parking and sidewalk improvements paid for by the city; the work will be done by United Contractors Midwest [UCM] of Tremont in addition to the IDOT work.
City Engineer Dennis Carr said work on the square is expected to begin Wednesday and be finished by November. Two popular events that will be held in the square during that time period shouldn't be impacted.
"We're going to talk to UCM about avoiding doing work during Autumn Fest and the (Washington Community High School) homecoming parade," Carr said.
9/11 remembrance returns Sunday
Mayor Lilija Stevens announced these events Tuesday:
• The city's 9/11 remembrance, which hasn't been held since 2021, will return at 4 p.m. Sunday at its longtime location in Washington Park near the Vietnam War helicopter.
• The next monthly Let's Talk Washington session will be at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 16 in the conference room at the Washington Police Station, 115 W. Jefferson St.
Police to resume compliance checks
Here are highlights from city department heads reports to the council:
JEFF STEVENS, POLICE CHIEF
• The Washington Police Department hasn't done compliance checks for alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarette sales for several years. Required state certified training of officers has been scheduled so the checks can resume. The checks involve sending a person under age 21 into a business under the supervision of a police officer with the intention of purchasing one of the items.
• The department's speed trailer was placed in the 100 block of northbound Lincoln Street (near the Vietnam War helicopter) from Aug. 18-23. The 85th percentile speed in the 20 mph zone was 28 mph, meaning 85% of the vehicles detected were driving 28 mph or less. Of 4,387 vehicles detected, 3,359 were driving above the speed limit. The average speed was 23 mph, and the highest recorded speed was 42 mph.
• The speed trailer was placed in the 300 block of northbound Wilmor Road from Aug. 10-17. The 85th percentile speed in the 25 mph zone was 31 mph. Of 24,442 vehicles detected, 423 were clocked at more than 35 mph. The average speed was 25 mph.
• New officers Josh Kirby and Eric Erbentraut were sworn in Aug. 29.
JON OLIPHANT, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
• Substantial repairs will be done in the parking lot of the Cherry Tree Shopping Center. Work will begin soon and continue into 2026.
• An O'Reilly Auto Parts store will be built at the intersection of Centennial Drive and McCluggage Road starting this fall.
• Staff is "thrilled" about improvements to the house and grounds at 121 Peoria St. done by the new owner.
DENNIS CARR, INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
• The city has begun work "on identifying a voice and tone for our outward communications to make them more uniform."
Also at Tuesday's meeting:
• The council approved spending up to $550,000 in motor fuel tax funds to repair the historic Candlewood Bridge. Bids will be opened Sept. 11.
• The council approved mayor Stevens' recommended appointments of Brittany Miller and Cindy Roese to the city's tree board. Miller has been a Washington Park District board member since 2019. Roese is a member of the Washington Town & Country Garden Club. There are now six tree board members, one more than the minimum needed for the board to conduct business. The board makes recommendations to the council on regulations involving trees on public property, and presents educational and informational programs.
• The council approved a special use request by Kevin and Katie Beale to operate a residential, non-owner-occupied short-term rental at 301 S. Main St.
• The council approved spending up to $100,000 so low bidder Standard Heating and Cooling of Peoria can install an HVAC system at Water Treatment Plant No. 1. Small portable dehumidifier units have been used at the plant for many years since the original HVAC system failed and couldn't be repaired.
• The council approved spending up to $100,000 so low bidder Lonewolf Concrete of Goodfield can repair sections of the stormwater trough behind the Washington Plaza shopping center. The trough diverts stormwater from the shopping center and Rollings Meadows South subdivision.
• The council approved the first reading of an ordinance amendment that would reduce a property owner's payment and lien filing deadline to reimburse the city for the cost of a correcting a nuisance violation from 45 to seven days. A vote is scheduled for Sept. 15.
'Awesome' meeting
Council member Todd Sluder said the initial Ward 1 "Let's Talk Washington" session hosted by alderperson Paula Johnson and himself was "awesome," and every other month get-togethers are planned.
