The Galesburg City Council is currently evaluating the development of a community center. This page provides background information, as well as a central location for citizens to learn more about the current status of the project. As the Galesburg City Council navigates the process of weighing information and making decisions regarding the development of a potential future community center, information will be shared on this page to keep the community informed of information taken into consideration by City Council, and steps taken through the process. 

Supporting Information & Timeline

The links below provide information on items voted on by the City Council pertaining to the potential development of a new community center. The e-packet links provide background information on the item, and the minutes provide a summary of the discussion, as well as a record of how each City Council member voted. All City Council agendas are posted in advance of the meetings and are available to review on the agendas and minutes page of the City's website. Relevant documents are also included in the document center at the bottom of this page. 

March 21, 2022 City Council Meeting

Item 22-4032 - City Council voted in favor of directing staff to acquire the former Churchill Junior High School for a community center.

April 18, 2022 City Council Meeting

Item 22-1013 - City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement for the purchase of Churchill Junior High School.

June 20, 2022 City Council Meeting

Item 22-4049 - City Council approved a professional services agreement with Farnsworth Group for community center master planning.

June 23, 2022 City Council Work Session

The Galesburg City Council toured the Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center, and Rock Island Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center to learn more about the services, operation, and budget of community centers in other communities. 

September 26, 2022 City Council Work Session

The City Council met to discuss proposed community center options and Farnsworth Group provided a presentation on potential locations, which is included in the documents section below. 

November 21, 2022 City Council Meeting

Item 22-2071 - A resolution authorizing a public hearing regarding the location of a community center was provided for council consideration. The proposed resolution failed. 

December 5, 2022 City Council Meeting

Item 22-4115 - City Council voted in favor of approving the former Churchill building as the location for the community center. 

December 19, 2022 City Council Meeting

Item 22-1037 - City Council voted in favor of an ordinance to increase the Home Rules Sales Tax from 1.00% to 1.25%. 

Item 22-2074 - City Council considered a resolution placing an advisory question on the ballot of the next election in the City of Galesburg: Should the City of Galesburg increase the home rule sales tax from 1.00% to 1.25% to generate additional revenue for municipal operations, community development, and public infrastructure? The proposed resolution failed.

March 6, 2023 City Council Meeting

Item 23-1002 - City Council voted in favor of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of approximately $5 million in general obligation bonds for the use of a community center. 

Item 23-4026 - City Council considered a professional services agreement with Farnsworth Group for design services for the community center. The City Council voted to table the item until May 1, 2023. 

March 20, 2023 City Council Meeting

Item 23-1007 - City Council considered an ordinance to amend the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 to be utilized for a variety of projects. The ordinance failed. 

March 27, 2023 City Council Work Session

The March 27, 2023 work session included a presentation and discussion on potential community center partnerships. 

May 1, 2023 City Council Meeting

Item 23-4026 - City Council considered the tabled professional services agreement with Farnsworth Group for design services for the community center. The motion failed.

June 5, 2023 City Council Meeting

Item 23-1007 - City Council voted in favor of an ordinance directing the sale of the Churchill property, located at 905 Maple Avenue.  

June 26, 2023 City Council Work Session

The June 26, 2023 work session included a discussion of a potential community center task force. 

July 3, 2023 City Council Meeting

Bids for the purchase of Churchill, 905 Maple Avenue, were opened. One bid for $100 was received. 

Click here to view the July 3, 2023 minutes

July 17, 2023 City Council Meeting

Item 23-3026 - City Council voted to reject the sole bid of $100 to purchase the Churchill property, located at 905 Maple Avenue.  

23-6004 - City Council voted in favor of the creation of a community center task force, to provide a recommendation to the City Council regarding the development of a community center. 

August 7, 2023 City Council Meeting

Item 23-1016 - City Council discussed an ordinance on first reading authorizing the sale of a portion of the Churchill property, located at 905 Maple Avenue, to a local developer for $100,000, with the City retaining the green space. The developer had requested action to be taken on the first reading to meet an accelerated timeline. No action was taken on the first reading, and the developer subsequently withdrew the offer for the property. 

Item 23-4081 - City Council considered the option to conduct an appraisal of the Churchill property, located at 905 Maple Avenue. The motion failed. 

August 21, 2023 City Council Meeting

Item 23-1015 - The City Council approves an ordinance to amend the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 to utilize $550,000 for the Irwin Street reconstruction project. Monies that were originally going to be used for the Irwin Street storm sewer and street reconstruction will be placed in and set aside for future use in the Planning Fund to go towards a community center project.

Item 23-2046 - A resolution is approved which transfers funds, not to exceed $550,000, that were originally to be used for Irwin Street reconstruction (now paid for by bond funding) into the Planning Fund for a community center project. 

Item 23-4081 - City Council re-considers the option to conduct an appraisal of the Churchill property, located at 905 Maple Avenue. The motion passes. 

October 2, 2023 City Council Meeting

Item 23-1024 - City Council approves an ordinance directing the sale of a portion of the Churchill property, located at 905 Maple Avenue, with the City retaining the green space on the north side of the property. 

November 6, 2023 City Council Meeting

Item 23-1028 - City Council approves an ordinance to amend the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 to utilize $550,000 for Irwin Street storm sewer and street reconstruction, $2,500,000 for community center costs, and $1,950,000 for asphalt resurfacing projects. 

Feedback

Citizens are encouraged to share their thoughts and preferences regarding the potential development of a community center with the Mayor and City Council. Individual contact information for each City Council member can be found on the Mayor and City Council page of the city's website. Citizens can also opt to send an email to the entire City Council by utilizing the citizen request center. 

Documents 

Documents pertinent to the potential development of a community center are provided in the document center below.

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  • Community Center Executive Summary Report
  • Farnsworth Community Center Site Selection Presentation
    Presented to City Council on September 26, 2022
  • Farnsworth Group Building Assessment Proposal
    Approved by City Council on December 6, 2021
  • Farnsworth Group Report for Building Assessment of Churchill School
    Report dated Dec. 14, 2021, which outlines existing building conditions
  • Farnsworth Group Community Center Planning Proposal
    Approved by City Council on June 20, 2022
  • Parks and Recreation Master Plan
    Adopted February 4, 2019
  • Martin Luther King Center Impact Report 2021 (Rock Island)