A $2 million state grant will help spruce up a portion of downtown Galesburg. The City of Galesburg recently received a $2 million Rebuild Downtown and Main Streets grant to make improvements to Parking Lot H and the 200 block of East Simmons Street. City Engineer Aaron Gavin tells WGIL the parking lot will be reconstructed and decorative elements will be added. The improvements will include new asphalt surfacing, concrete islands, landscaping, decorative fencing, and a proposed covered parking area. The new configuration of the parking lot would eliminate two entry drives on Kellogg Street to increase pedestrian safety. An added entry drive on Simmons Street would improve vehicular circulation. The proposed covered parking area would be along the south and east sides of the parking lot. It would serve a dual purpose of providing covered parking, while allowing a sheltered area for downtown events and festivals. Improvements to Simmons Street between Kellogg and Prairie streets will al
Just before 3:00 in the morning on Saturday, February 19th, Galesburg Police responded to Parking Lot H on East Simmons and South Kellogg for a report of a male driver passed out behind the wheel. Galesburg Street Department workers observed the male enter the vehicle and had been slumped over for about 45 minutes. The vehicle was running. Officers were able to gain entry to the vehicle and wake 29-year old Shane Hall of Galesburg. Hall was emitting a strong alcoholic odor and officers had to hold him up as he stood. After a field sobriety test showed numerous signs of impairment, Hall was placed under arrest. He refused to proved a breath sample. Hall was charged with Driving Under the Influence A2 and taken to the Knox County Jail.