News Flash

For Jack Pizziferro, being part of the Edwardsville Parks & Recreation team is a bit of a homecoming. He once played second-grade basketball at Woodland Elementary School through a Parks & Rec program; now, as the newest sports and recreation coordinator on the City’s Parks & Recreation team, he helps run the program.

“It’s fun to see that come full circle,” said Pizziferro, whose family moved to Edwardsville when he was 6 years old. “I love working with the community.”

Pizziferro joined the City’s Parks & Recreation Department through an internship while still a student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He accepted his full-time role last fall ahead of his December college graduation with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management.

“I like industries where people aren’t expected to spend a lot of money,” he said. “The whole idea of parks and recreation is lifting the standard for the community. It’s a job I sleep well at night doing.”

Throughout much of the year, Pizziferro, 23, can be found at Plummer Family Park, the sports complex on the eastern edge of Edwardsville. He helps the City’s sports team -- including Sports and Recreation Superintendent Canee’ Brown, fellow Sports and Recreation Coordinator Jeremy Dempsey and their staff -- offer and operate recreational and competitive activities for people of all ages.

He’s especially enjoyed overseeing activities geared toward athletes who are just starting to explore sports. “I love working with younger kids. The kindergartners are really cool. They’re just happy to be there,” he said. “There’s a competitive nature, but they’re much more focused on recreation.”

That makes sense for Pizziferro, who doesn’t consider himself as much of an athlete as simply an outdoorsy type, and particularly a fan of fishing. “I could talk for hours about carp; it’s the greatest sports fish, in my mind.”

While in college, Pizziferro spent a great deal of time focusing on conservation, nature and invasive species. He completed a Nature Works internship through St. Louis’ nonprofit conservancy Forest Park Forever. He’s passionate about green space efforts, in particular the conservation work and Nature Preserve Foundation programs taking place at the City’s Watershed Nature Center, and would like to eventually be able to create an interpretive walk there.

And when he’s not in a park or fishing somewhere? Well, he’s angling for a different kind of joy – derived from playing music, punk rock, no less – with some of his fishing buddies. “We do open mic events,” he said. “We jam out on the weekends when we’re all available.”

For several days beginning Monday, March 23, access to and from Main Street will be blocked at Vandalia Street as part of the ongoing water main replacement project. The closure is expected to last up to five days, weather permitting.

However, while eastbound and westbound access will not be possible, drivers already on Main Street will be able to continue north or south through the intersection while this work is underway. Drivers will be able to bypass the East Vandalia closure to or from Main Street by using South Buchanan and West Schwarz Street. To bypass the West Vandalia closure to or from Main Street, drivers can use West Street and West Schwarz Street.

The closure is part of the North Main Street water main replacement and streetscape improvement project, which got underway in early January to replace a more than 120-year-old water main in downtown Edwardsville and make other needed infrastructure and pedestrian accessibility and safety upgrades. The work is expected to wrap up later this summer, with landscaping and plantings along this section of North Main Street to follow in the fall.

Barricades will prohibit access to the Main Street intersection but there will be local access to Plaza Court and nearby businesses on the east side, and to the Walgreens parking lot and Mark Twain parking lot on the west side. Crosswalks at the intersection of Main and Vandalia streets will be closed while this work is underway, but access to the businesses will be maintained.

This portion of the water main replacement will be primarily along East Vandalia near Main Street, but once the intersection work is complete, construction crews will continue along West Vandalia as well as proceed with ongoing work along North Main Street. Drivers are asked to please be alert for construction crews in the work zone and occasional lane shifts and delays, as necessary throughout the project.

The City is working with Keller Construction to complete this project, which is partially funded by a Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program grant. Find construction details, an expected timeline and the latest updates on this approximately $4.89 million improvement project by visiting: www.cityofedwardsville.com/cityprojects

A full-court press is underway at Edwardsville’s Plummer Family Park, as the City and Courthouse 618 LLC announced Thursday, February 19, that construction is beginning for a new indoor recreational field house featuring courts for basketball, volleyball, futsal and training opportunities.

The new sports facility was first announced in April 2025 as a partnership between the City of Edwardsville and Courthouse 618 LLC, owned by Edwardsville native Mark Thomas. The facility will be known as The Courthouse 618 and will include five high school regulation-size basketball courts that can transition into nine volleyball courts for games, training, open play and camps. The approximately 50,000-square-foot facility will be the new home of the Edwardsville Parks & Recreation Department’s youth and adult basketball leagues, offer public training and playing opportunities and host tournaments. It also will be the site of Shoot 360 Edwardsville, a cutting-edge, immersive, data-driven basketball training experience for athletes of all skill levels.

A celebratory groundbreaking will take place at the future site of The Courthouse 618 at 9 a.m. Thursday, February 26, weather permitting. The facility will be built on the southwest corner near the Goshen Road entrance of Plummer Family Park, the City’s 83-acre premiere sports complex. 

“This is a wonderful project for Edwardsville and for families and athletes throughout the area. We’re thrilled to expand the opportunities offered at Plummer Family Park and to bolster the varied types of sports programming that our community already enjoys,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “We’re excited to work with Mark Thomas and see his dream of supporting youth sports become a reality.”  

“I, along with other parents and young athletes in this community, have traveled miles away to access the kind of training and facilities they deserve right here at home. The Courthouse 618 changes that for every family in Edwardsville and the surrounding area,” Courthouse 618 founder Mark Thomas said. “We’re not just breaking ground on a building, we're investing in the future of this community and the next generation of athletes who will grow up right here.” 

The facility is a public-private collaboration; Mr. Thomas is facilitating financing for the building and the Shoot 360 franchise. The City is leasing the land in Plummer Family Park to Mr. Thomas’ company, Courthouse 618 LLC. In conjunction with the facility construction, the City also is proceeding with 200 public parking spaces adjacent to the proposed site.

An opening date is anticipated for fall of 2026. Courthouse 618 LLC is working with Contegra Construction Co. of Edwardsville on the facility, while First Mid Bank & Trust is the financial institution for the project.

(Photo credit: 618 Drone Service; The Courthouse 618 will be built in the upper right section of the park, as shown in the photo)

Through the winter months, when frigid temperatures and snowy conditions hit the area, everyone is urged to pay attention to weather advisories, avoid heating hazards and fire safety risks and take steps to remain warm. 

Road Conditions

When snowy weather is expected, the City’s Public Works Department monitors the forecast and will respond to road conditions. The City is prepared and stocked with salt, trucks and other supplies for the duration of the winter season. City crews will salt and plow as road conditions necessitate. For public safety, the City prioritizes the main (arterial) roads to ensure our police and fire departments can safely respond and travel during emergency situations. Collector routes that serve higher traffic are the next priority, followed by side roads, subdivisions and residential areas, and then alleys and cul-de-sacs. 

If you can avoid or limit travel when weather conditions are hazardous, please do so. If you must be on the roads, please be patient, cautious and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others on the road. It’s especially important to give snow plows and salt trucks extra room to operate. We ask for your patience as our crews work to clear the streets as safely and quickly as possible. If it’s possible to utilize off-street parking and move obstacles (basketball hoops, for instance), please do so as that will allow our trucks the best access to clear City streets.

If you need to reach our Public Works Department in regard to our winter weather operations and road conditions, you can call during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 618-692-7535 or email publicworks@cityofedwardsville.com. You can also submit a service request online.

Heating & Fire Precautions

The following tips can help residents to avoid hazards throughout the winter months: 

• Don’t use ovens and stoves as alternate heating sources; these are potentially dangerous sources of carbon monoxide and fire. 
• If you are using a portable heater, plug it directly into a wall outlet — do not use extension cords or power strips for these heaters as they can easily start fires. 
• Keep portable heaters away from other items and never set anything on top of a portable heater. 
• Wear appropriate clothing when going outside. Add layers to increase warmth, and be sure to protect your face, ears and hands. 
• Be aware of your vehicle’s fuel level; don’t risk running out of gas. Keep winter supplies such as spare blankets, gloves and hats in your vehicle. 
• Generators and fuel should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages. They are useful if there's a power outage, but can pose a carbon monoxide risk.

Warming Sites

For those in need of access to warming centers, the United Way of Missouri/Southwest Illinois annually compiles a list of facilities that can provide shelter during specified hours or conditions. In Edwardsville, the following sites are available to serve as warming centers. Please note that holiday closures can impact availability; it’s suggested to call or check each site’s website in advance to ensure it’s operating. The United Way’s entire 211 list of warming centers can be found at: www.211helps.org/warming-sites/; information also can be accessed by dialing 211 day or night.

When temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit) the following facilities will be available as warming stations during listed hours: 

• Edwardsville Public Library: 112 S. Kansas St. -- (618) 692-7556; www.edwardsvillelibrary.orgHours: Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1-5 p.m. 
• Main Street Community Center: 1003 N. Main St. – (618) 656-0300; https://mainstcc.org/ Hours: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
• YMCA Meyer Center: 7348 Goshen Road – (618) 655-1460; https://edwardsvilleymca.com/ Hours: Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• YMCA Niebur Center: 1200 Esic Drive – (618) 656-0436; https://edwardsvilleymca.com/ Hours: Monday through Friday: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

When temperatures drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, the following facility will be activated:

• The Overnight Warming Location at First Baptist Church of Edwardsville: 534 St. Louis Street, Edwardsville. The location organizers will determine whether to open by noon on any day the activation threshold is expected to be met. That announcement will be made on the OWL’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OvernightWarmingLocations

Additional sites may be added as needed. In emergency situations, please call 911.

Emergency Assistance

If you find yourself in an emergency situation, call 911. Please use the Police Department’s non-emergency number for all other public safety needs (those that do NOT require urgent intervention): 618-656-2131.

Residential Winter Safety Tips

During periods of low temperatures, building water pipes are vulnerable to freezing. The American Red Cross offers these tips to help prevent frozen pipes:

• When the weather is very cold, allow water to drip from a faucet. Even a trickle of water can help keep pipes from freezing.
• Open cabinet doors below a sink to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes.
• Don’t set your thermostat too low at night or if you will be gone for a while.
• If you have water supply lines in your garage, keep the doors closed.

If it appears that your pipes have frozen, the American Red Cross offers these tips to help thaw them:

• If you turn a faucet on but the flow is just a trickle, a frozen pipe could be the cause. Pipes near exterior walls or where your water service enters your home are especially vulnerable.
• Check for broken or cracked pipes and know how to shut off your water.
• Apply gentle heat to a section of pipe with a blow dryer or NON-FLAME source or with towels soaked in hot water.

A generous bequest by the owners of a nearly century-old Edwardsville business will help breathe new life into a downtown building that is set to be transformed into the home of the Edwardsville Arts Center. Mayor Art Risavy and the Edwardsville City Council announced Tuesday, October 21, that the City has purchased the former Edwardsville Frozen Foods building at 246 N. Main Street with the support and financial backing of the Edwardsville Community Foundation.

“The opportunity to transform this wonderful downtown building, which is next to our historic Wildey Theatre and near a vibrant business mix, is going to be incredibly impactful for the City,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “This is a win that will be felt in downtown Edwardsville and beyond, and an exciting prospect for the Edwardsville Arts Center, which has been seeking a permanent site.”

The Edwardsville Community Foundation presented Mayor Risavy and the City Council a check for $525,000, a gift from the David Kriege Family, the last owner of Kriege Hardware, which served the City for nearly a century. The Edwardsville Community Foundation was entrusted with using the Kriege bequest to enhance quality of life through recreation, preservation and beautification in the City.

“The Edwardsville Community Foundation loves working with our community partners to help accomplish their goals,” said Foundation Chairman Rich Walker. “In 2025, we have awarded more than $2 million to municipalities and nonprofit organizations. And we’re still growing.”

The City is also partnering with Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau and the Illinois Office of Tourism to seek a Route 66 economic opportunity grant for the purchase. Route 66 traversed Edwardsville for decades, and the Wildey Theatre and Main Street businesses were popular stops for those traveling on the iconic road. 

“We are excited for the opportunity to become part of Edwardsville’s historic downtown, joining the Wildey Theatre in expanding the city’s arts and cultural offerings,” said Edwardsville Arts Center Executive Director Beth Browne. “This new location will allow the Edwardsville Arts Center to reestablish an exhibition gallery and expand our art education programming, creating more opportunities for residents and artists of all ages to engage with the arts. We are deeply grateful that the City recognizes the value of the arts in strengthening a community. Their continued support has been vital to our ability to maintain programming following our move from the high school to the Montclaire Firehouse.”  

The City will retain ownership of the building, but is planning to lease the site to the Edwardsville Arts Center. 

This project is the fifth to be funded from the Kriege donation through the Edwardsville Community Foundation. The foundation previously awarded more than $1.3 million in grants to the City for four projects. 

The building at 246 N. Main Street was a downtown business staple for more than 70 years, having operated as Edwardsville Frozen Foods since 1947. In the decades after it opened, it added the “Herbie the Hereford” statue atop the building entrance, which became a widely recognized and beloved symbol downtown. It was rebranded in 2017 as the Goshen Butcher Shop, but closed a few years later.

A major improvement project to modernize and upgrade the infrastructure along a portion of North Main Street in downtown Edwardsville is scheduled to begin in January, the City of Edwardsville announced on Tuesday, December 23. The project will include the replacement of a more than 120-year-old water main, the addition of pedestrian-friendly safety and accessibility upgrades, enhanced streetscape features, road resurfacing and an overhaul of sewer lines in the area.

The North Main Street Water Main & Streetscape Project is set to get underway on Monday, January 5. It will entail at least $4.87 million in improvements along approximately a quarter mile of North Main Street from just south of Vandalia Street to slightly north of Hillsboro Avenue. Later in the project, a short section of water main also will be upgraded in the 100 block of West Vandalia Street, just to the west of North Main Street.

Two-way traffic is planned to be maintained for the majority of the project, which is expected to wrap up in July. However, there will be a lane shift and the elimination of parking spaces along the eastern side of the construction zone to accommodate the work. Additional public parking is available in the lot behind the impacted businesses between North Main and North Kansas streets and throughout downtown.

When it’s wrapped up, the impacted area will feature native plantings and trees, curb bump-outs and crosswalks with flashing beacons, ADA-accessible thresholds for businesses in this area, resurfaced pavement, improved fire suppression capabilities and long-term reliability from the new, upsized water main. A project of this scope will pose some challenges while underway; however, this work is essential to reduce the risk and occurrences of water main breaks and other system failures that are more common in aging infrastructure. Signage will be posted at numerous locations outside the work zone to indicate that the businesses remain open. Keller Construction is the general contractor for the project.

The estimated timeline begins in early January with traffic lane adjustments and sewer work that will begin near Hillsboro Avenue and progress south down Main Street. That will be followed by the water main installation and service connections. Although the weather can be a factor in how quickly the project will progress, the sewer and water main work can be accomplished during the colder months. Sidewalk replacement, streetscape enhancements and the resurfacing of the road will follow in the spring and summer months. Project updates will be posted at: www.cityofedwardsville.com/cityprojects

The permanent closure of a one-block area of St. Louis Street adjacent to North Main Street will coincide with the improvement project. The section of St. Louis Street between North Main and North Second streets will be transformed into the Goshen Commons downtown park beginning later this spring, but initially that area will be used as a construction staging area.

About $2.87 million of the construction costs will be funded through a Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program grant; it was announced by Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in August 2022.

(Photo credit: 618 Drone Service)

A new all-abilities playground will be constructed in the heart of Edwardsville, providing inclusive recreational options for all to enjoy. It will be built on Lewis & Clark Community College’s N.O. Nelson campus, fulfilling a goal shared by the City, the college and the Edwardsville Community Foundation to ensure accessible play areas are within reach of as many people as possible.

The Edwardsville City Council on October 7 unanimously approved a 20-year, $1-per-month lease with Lewis & Clark Community College for the playground site. It will be built just north of the City’s historic Nickel Plate Station, a welcome landmark on the campus at 600 Troy Road since early 2020.

"It's important that the City of Edwardsville offers an ADA-accessible playground so that all kids, regardless of their abilities, have a safe and accessible place to play without having to leave our community," said Ward 4 Alderman SJ Morrison. "This wouldn't be possible without the generous donation of lifelong Edwardsville resident Dave Kriege and the Edwardsville Community Foundation."

The City Council approved the expenditure of up to $600,000 for the playground. The costs will be covered by a donation from the David Kriege Family, the last owner of Kriege Hardware, which operated in the City for nearly a century. The Edwardsville Community Foundation was entrusted with using the donation to enhance the quality of life through recreation, preservation and beautification in the City. The all-abilities playground was first announced at the end of June, but location details had yet to be finalized.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the City of Edwardsville to bring a new all-abilities playground to our N.O. Nelson campus — a vibrant symbol of inclusion, collaboration, shared vision and fun,” said Dr. Ken Trzaska, the president of Lewis & Clark Community College. “This partnership reflects our deep commitment to access and community connection, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to serve and grow alongside every community we serve.”

Mayor Art Risavy praised the playground’s central location and access to parking, biking and walking trails and its proximity to neighborhoods. “This is a tremendous project that will bring joy to countless numbers of families and children,” Mayor Risavy added. “It’s a wonderful testament to the compassion and determination of our City officials and residents, Lewis & Clark Community College and the Edwardsville Community Foundation.”

Ward 7 Alderwoman Elizabeth Grant, who chairs the Administrative & Community Services Committee, which gave the initial approval for the project, noted that the playground also would be welcomed by the Lewis & Clark College for Life students. “That’s a very special group who will love having an inclusive space to use while on campus,” said Grant, who also teaches at Lewis & Clark. “I’m so excited about the vibrant environment that comes about through play.”

The all-abilities playground will be enclosed by a fence, and include landscaping and other infrastructure enhancements that will be paid for out of the Edwardsville Enhancement Fund. That fund was established in 2023 with a dedicated quarter-percent sales tax for green space acquisition, parks improvements, police and fire pensions and capital projects. The City is contracting with Cunningham Recreation to provide and install the playground, and has applied for a GameTime playground grant in the hope of further reducing costs. Project planning is currently underway, with construction and completion expected in 2026.

The City of Edwardsville is now offering a Bike Rack Grant Program in an effort to support and boost the availability of bicycle parking in public spaces throughout the City. Businesses, nonprofits and other groups can apply for a grant of up to $925 to help cover the costs of buying and installing bicycle racks for public use.  

The program is an initiative of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which addresses issues related to safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists in Edwardsville. The grant program received City Council approval in July 2025. Committee members hope the program will help make biking throughout the community even easier and offer a secure, convenient alternative to driving. Currently, the City offers bicycle racks at many of its parks and public facilities, but the program would help fill in some bike rack gaps in other community locations.

Applicants may be eligible for up to a $925 reimbursement toward the purchase and installation of a bike rack. Projects will be considered on a rolling basis while funding lasts. The City hopes to be able to award up to five grants with the funding available.  

To be eligible for a program grant, the proposed bike rack must be installed for public use within the City of Edwardsville. Applications will only be considered from the property owner or those who have the express written consent of the owner of the site where the rack would be installed.

The application includes six examples of bicycle racks that are recommended by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee as secure, easy-to-use types of racks. Projects that are submitted for consideration will be scored based on the project readiness, benefit to the community and access to existing cycling infrastructure, such as sidewalks and shared use paths.

Applications can be found on the City’s website, and can printed and emailed or completed and submitted online. Those interested in applying can refer to the website for details: www.cityofedwardsville.com/bikerackgrant

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is made up of volunteers who live in Edwardsville and are appointed by the mayor. To learn about the committee and its initiatives, visit: www.cityofedwardsville.com/bpac

The Edwardsville Community Foundation announced Tuesday, July 1, that it is awarding the City of Edwardsville $1.35 million to help fulfill the wishes of a family whose business served the community for nearly a century.

The David Kriege Family entrusted ECF with the gift and a directive to use it to improve the quality of life in Edwardsville, ECF Chair Rich Walker said. David Kriege, who died in 2022, was the last member of his family to operate Kriege Hardware, a business fixture in downtown Edwardsville from 1920 to 2011. The gift specified three areas of interest: recreation, preservation and beautification. 

Mayor Art Risavy and the Edwardsville City Council have identified three projects to honor the Kriege family’s legacy and generosity:

• Construction of an All Abilities Playground (up to $600,000) at a location yet to be finalized
• Creation of Crocker Gardens Park on an empty lot the City purchased at 211 S. Benton Street (up to $165,000), to include sidewalks, a playground and open play area for use as a neighborhood park
• Green space enhancement of  another recent City acquisition, the parcel at Gerber Road and Governors’ Parkway (up to $540,000), to include a trail, trees, meadow and pollinator plantings, a small parking lot, bike racks and signage.

“ECF has been a part of nearly every major park project in the City and we are thrilled to be able to be the conduit for these important projects that will benefit the area for generations to come,” Walker said. “I look forward to even more opportunities.”

Mayor Risavy said the City is grateful for the gift and the opportunity to honor the Kriege family’s intent with projects that can be enjoyed by everyone in the community. “We are excited to be able to move forward with these projects, and appreciate the ECF’s faith in the City to advance works that are a fitting tribute to this longtime Edwardsville family,” he said.

The City has hired TWM to prepare site plans for the Benton Street and Gerber Road and Governors' Parkway locations. It is expected that those plans could be ready later this fall to seek bids to move forward with the two parks. The City announced the purchase of the two sites in February 2024. Mayor Risavy said the purchases were part of a larger plan to create a "green corridor" throughout the community that benefits all who live, work and visit Edwardsville. A public open house was held that same month to allow the public to weigh in on possible uses and amenities for each.

One additional project in the City also was funded by the ECF, Walker said. Consistent with the donor’s intent, ECF approved a $45,000 grant for a historic project to be named by the Historic Preservation Commission through the City Council, Walker said.

More details will be released as plans for the projects proceed.

AUGUST 2025 UPDATE: As planning moves along for the North Main Street water main and streetscape project, construction is projected to get underway in January 2026. Expected impacts will be released closer to the construction start date.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The City learned Monday, August 15, 2022, that it will receive a nearly $2.87 million state grant to rebuild its water and sewer system on a portion of Main Street and to add pedestrian-friendly streetscape improvements.  

The grant is part of the Rebuild Illinois (RBI) Downtowns and Main Streets Capital program. Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced Monday that $106 million in capital grants had been awarded to 50 commercial corridors and main streets throughout Illinois.  

Edwardsville City officials applied for the grant to replace the 130-year-old water main in the 100 block of Main Street and to make other improvements. Rebuilding the water main, which dates to 1892, will provide adequate flow to all buildings along the route and ensure the integrity and longevity of the system, City officials said.

Replacing the water main and lining the sewers have been a priority for the City. The grant will cover the construction costs, while the City will pay for the engineering expenses, including design and inspection. There’s no immediate timeframe for the work, but planning is expected to get started soon.

The project also is expected to improve pedestrian accessibility along the route and add safety and convenience features, such as curb bump-outs and additional bicycle racks. 

Read the press release here.

State Rep. Katie Stuart and Mayor Art Risavy on Tuesday, August 20, announced that the City of Edwardsville will receive a $2 million grant to transform a section of St. Louis Street in the heart of downtown into a community-centric public commons area.

The Goshen Commons project will create a pedestrian-friendly public courtyard that encompasses the one-block area of St. Louis Street between North Main Street and North Second Street. When completed, the inviting streetscape will incorporate greenspace, an expansive gathering area and walkways framed overhead by a network of string lights. Other potential amenities could include oversize game boards for chess and checkers and a pavilion to accommodate performances and events. 

“Investing in our communities is essential in order to keep us on the path to a thriving, prosperous future with enhanced quality of life for residents and visitors alike,” Rep. Stuart said. “The upgrades we’ve secured for Goshen Commons are a direct investment in our vibrant and growing regional economy that will provide a boost to small businesses all along Main Street and to the Metro East families and communities that live nearby.”

The $2 million is a member-directed initiative by Rep. Stuart through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to support downtown economic vitality. 

 “On behalf of the City, I want to express my gratitude to Rep. Stuart for her support for our latest greenspace project, the Goshen Commons,” Mayor Risavy said. “The City Council and I have a vision to create a welcoming gathering spot for individuals and groups and for special events. With its central location, it will serve to showcase Edwardsville’s beautiful and vibrant downtown and its businesses, and complement nearby sites such as City Park.”

The reimagined site will continue to serve as a home to the Land of Goshen Community Market. The market’s organizers are partnering with the City to provide input on potential design features. The Goshen Commons is also envisioned as a hub for daily use, various public gatherings, special events and Edwardsville Parks and Recreation activities. The park-like environment will be permanently closed to through traffic, prioritizing pedestrian safety and complementing activity throughout the downtown business district.

The City recently finalized the purchase of an adjacent parcel of undeveloped land at 116 St. Louis Street. The previous owners, the Vuagniaux family, have traditionally granted use of the space for the Goshen Market and other events, and the City’s ownership will ensure the land will continue to be used for public benefit.

The $2 million grant made possible by Rep. Stuart will allow the City to launch the Goshen Commons project later this year, at the same time as previously planned infrastructure improvements on North Main Street. In 2022, the City was awarded a $2.87 million Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Street Capital program grant to replace the 130-year-old water main, rebuild the sewer system and add pedestrian-friendly streetscape improvements in the 100 block of North Main Street. A projected timeline for both projects will be released as soon as it’s available.  

The City of Edwardsville has been awarded a $21.24 million federal grant to undertake the Goshen Road & Liberty Trail Multimodal Transportation project, Mayor Art Risavy announced Wednesday, June 26. This project will transform the Edwardsville area’s growing southeastern corridor with road improvements and much-sought safety, environmental and connectivity enhancements.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the City as one of Illinois’ recipients of the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant funding. 

“This is a significant federal grant for Edwardsville, allowing us to set in motion this long-sought and impactful project in our southeastern corridor,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “We are thrilled and grateful to everyone who shared our vision for how transformative these improvements will be. We cannot overstate the importance of the support and guidance provided by our congressional and legislative officials, as well as numerous state, local and business partners. I’d like to specifically express our gratitude to U.S. Sens. Richard Durbin and Tammy Duckworth; U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski, Mike Bost and Mary Miller; Illinois Sens. Erica Harriss and Jason Plummer; and Illinois Reps. Charlie Meier and Katie Stuart; and Edwardsville Township Supervisor Kevin Hall and Pin Oak Township officials Robert Helms, Seth Joy, Jay Kohlmiller and Kathy Long.”

With this project, the City will launch a series of infrastructure improvements that will provide safety, connectivity and environmental enhancements along Goshen Road and surrounding areas. Among the planned improvements are:

• Reconstruction of 1 mile of Goshen Road spanning the distance between the Edwardsville YMCA Meyer Center, 7348 Goshen Road, and the Sports Park Drive entrance to Plummer Family Park. The work will include green medians.
• The addition of the Liberty Trail, a 2.5-mile shared use path along the north side of Goshen Road from Old Troy Road to Plummer Family Park, including solar rapid flashing beacons. 
• Reconstruction of approximately 0.3 miles of Old Troy Road from Goshen Road to Madison County Transit’s Goshen Trail and the addition of a shared use path connecting Goshen Road and Goshen Trail.
• The installation of roundabouts with clearly marked pedestrian crossings at three Goshen Road intersections – at Gerber Road, District Drive and Ridge View Road. Roundabouts have long been shown to increase safety for pedestrians and drivers and provide efficiencies in terms of reduced emissions and lower maintenance costs.
• Electric vehicle charging stations at Plummer Family Park and bicycle parking along the shared use path.
• Stream bank stabilization at the Goshen Road culverts.

The Goshen Road & Liberty Trail project has been a priority for City officials, particularly amid steady residential, public and commercial growth in Edwardsville’s southeastern section and along the I-55 corridor. The improvements will enhance access for public safety providers throughout the area, as well as drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

This was the City’s third attempt to win federal RAISE funding, which helps communities complete critical transportation infrastructure projects. The effort was led by City Engineer Ryan Zwijack and Economic and Community Development Coordinator James Arnold, working with the engineering firm Oates Associates. The City’s application drew widespread backing and letters of support from more than two dozen congressional, legislative and local leaders, as well as area school districts, businesses and organizations.

“I’m pleased to see more federal funding coming home to Illinois to improve our state’s infrastructure,” Sen. Durbin said.  “With this RAISE grant, Edwardsville will see major improvements along Goshen Road and Liberty Trail, including new roundabouts, more electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and new shared-use paths.”

“Investments in our infrastructure create good-paying union jobs, improve safety and drive economic development in our communities,” Congresswoman Budzinski said.  “I’m thrilled to announce that the City of Edwardsville will be receiving more than $21.2 million in funding from a highly competitive grant program to bring Goshen Road and Old Troy Road into the 21st century. These resources won’t just fix our roads – they will help to mitigate flooding, support electric vehicle charging and improve access to biking and public transportation. I was proud to advocate for these funds with the Department of Transportation and I can’t wait to see the transformative impact they have on the Edwardsville community.”

“I’m proud to see this federal funding benefitting Illinoisans by repairing and enhancing our local infrastructure in Edwardsville,” Sen. Duckworth said. “This investment will go a long way in modernizing bus stops, updating streetlights to solar lighting, adding more EV stations and bicycle parking facilities while fixing flood damaged infrastructure throughout Edwardsville. I will continue work alongside Senator Durbin and Congresswoman Budzinski to ensure that our communities are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve.”

“RAISE grants are extremely competitive. The City of Edwardsville put forward a very comprehensive plan that showed how this significant taxpayer investment would increase safety and help our region grow in a thoughtful manner. As the many local units of government in my district know, I do not sign on to spend taxpayer money unless there is a real need and a return for the average taxpayer – that is undoubtedly the case here. This is how government should work – local, state, and federal office holders putting politics aside to get things done for their constituents,” Illinois Sen. Jason Plummer said. “The leadership and staff at the City of Edwardsville deserve a tremendous amount of credit for their hard work, diligence, and success on this project.”