The Geneseo City Council took the first formal step Tuesday toward determining whether a proposed 26-acre sports complex can be accessed from Illinois Route 82, unanimously approving an $11,030 traffic and hydraulic engineering study.
The study will evaluate the potential use of the city’s existing entrance on Route 82 for the proposed Seth Ernst Memorial Sports Complex, which is being planned on Ernst family property south of the city’s renewable energy site near Interstate 80. The land is currently outside Geneseo city limits.
Current plans, which remain subject to change, call for five soccer fields, pickleball courts, restroom and concession facilities, parking, a splash pad and playground. The planning group intends for the complex to eventually become a public facility serving Geneseo and surrounding communities, with multiple partners and donors expected to be involved.
Before those broader partnerships and planning efforts move forward, City Administrator Brandon Maeglin said the city needs to know whether access from Route 82 is feasible and what improvements the Illinois Department of Transportation could require.
The council approved a proposal from Hutchison Engineering Inc. to complete the work.
The $11,030 project includes a $6,850 traffic study and $4,180 hydraulic study. Engineers will conduct vehicle counts on Route 82, estimate traffic generated by the complex, evaluate roadway capacity and determine whether turn-lane improvements could be warranted. The hydraulic portion will examine stormwater impacts to IDOT right-of-way.
The money will come from unallocated general funds, and Hutchison estimates the work will take approximately three to four weeks.
Council discussion centered heavily on what could happen after the study, particularly if IDOT requires a costly turn lane or other improvements.
Any later steps would return to the council for consideration.
Oakwood pedestrian bridge headed back into ITEP process
The city continues to pursue the planned pedestrian bridge over Geneseo Creek near Oakwood Landing.
The project is intended to provide a dedicated pedestrian crossing approximately 20 yards north of the Central Bank billboard, connecting the Oakwood Landing area with the Oakwood Avenue corridor. The existing vehicular bridge does not have sidewalks.
The city is awaiting Illinois Department of Natural Resources approval of an elevated bridge design and has begun another application for funding through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program.
The project previously failed to receive ITEP funding, but the city has since completed additional engineering and hydraulic work. The Geneseo Foundation’s previously approved $125,000 grant commitment remains available for 2026, according to city documents.
The city has budgeted $250,000 for the bridge project.
Pickleball courts complete; Ford Road work moving forward
The resurfacing of the city’s pickleball courts has been completed. The project was intended to address cracks, uneven areas and fading while extending the useful life and improving the safety of the courts.
A pre-construction meeting for the Ford Road Sanitary Extension and Lift Station is scheduled for Sept. 10.
That project will include a dedicated wastewater lift station and approximately 900 linear feet of sanitary sewer main along Ford Road to serve new development in the area.
The North State Street Phase 2 reconstruction is nearing final completion. Officials reported that the trees have been installed and only minor punch-list work remains.
The Chicago Street sidewalk project is complete, although officials said some recently seeded areas will continue to be monitored.
Wind turbine insurance claims advance
The city has received a significant insurance payment related to the failure of Wind Turbine No. 1.
The turbine suffered a generator failure on April 30. City project records show Chubb Insurance sent $855,151 for generator replacement and an additional $50,000 for lost revenue. The city has also received a quote from Belson Steel for decommissioning the tower.
Wind Turbine No. 2 experienced a generator failure on July 30. An insurance claim has been submitted, and the city has received an analysis report from Vensys.
City electrical staff told the council that the next step in that claim will involve an investigative engineer reviewing the turbine and the work completed to date.
Chamber reports strong turnout at rapid-response job fair
Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsie Akers told the council that the job fair organized following the Tyson Foods plant closure drew more than 100 job seekers.
The Chamber organized the event with Hammond-Henry Hospital on short notice and brought together approximately 20 local employers.
Akers also previewed several upcoming Chamber events, including Trains, Planes & Automobiles this weekend, State Street Market on Oct. 3, Witches Brews and Boos on Oct. 22 and Scarecrow Row on Oct. 31.
The Chamber’s annual dinner is scheduled for Nov. 5 and will feature an ’80s theme.
Richmond Hill Rocks draws praise
Council members also praised the Labor Day weekend Richmond Hill Rocks event featuring Dancing Queen, an ABBA tribute band.
Alderman Kent Swanson thanked the city, Central Bank, Geneseo Park District, Geneseo Police Department, Richmond Hill Players and other organizations and volunteers involved in the event.
Swanson said members of the band repeatedly praised Geneseo’s hospitality and expressed interest in returning.
Maeglin said discussions have already begun about another event next year.
Other council business
City officials reported that the utility office roof replacement is complete, while power-plant tuckpointing remains planned for fall. The city’s Industrial Park electrical loop has also been completed. Seventeen aging utility poles are slated for replacement along Chestnut Street, a major circuit serving the south side of Geneseo.
The council also approved the treasurer’s and capital asset reports, Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 meeting minutes, and city and utility bills.