The Centralia City Council, during its meeting Tuesday evening, approved a professional services agreement with Volkert, Inc. for real estate land acquisition to help facilitate an upcoming sidewalk project.
As part of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School project, the city received funds in 2025 for improvements from Jordan School to Edgebrook Lane and received funding this year for phase two of the project, which will add about 800 feet of ADA-compliant sidewalk along Country Club Road. The project may also connect the sidewalk system to downtown through a pending ITEP project. Volkert, Inc. will assist with easement acquisition for 12 parcels along the County Club Road route, with those services to cost an estimated $60,360.
City Manger Galen Mahle reported that Centralia was commended by the Illinois Department of Public Health for maintaining optimal fluoride levels. Centralia was also just one of three community water systems in Illinois, along with Rockford and Evanston, recognized for maintaining optimal fluoride levels for 40 consecutive years. Mahle told the council that construction of the pavilion in Laura Leake Park is progressing, with electrical work presently taking place and the overall project expected to wrap up within the next couple weeks.
The council approved a request for the use of Laura Leake Park for the annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 13th, as well as the closure of North Maple Street, between Howard and Kell, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day.
Council members also approved a request from Colden Brewery to temporarily close the 100 block of East Broadway from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 21st, for the “Cars & Coffee” community event.
