5 hours, 56 minutes ago by Scott Hardy

Stores would be at 30th and Broadway

The Quincy City Council will hear proposals next week to help fund three new retail stores, and to study the city’s dwelling and hotel needs. Scott Hardy has more.

(  Audio 1:52  ) 

The City’s Finance Committee Monday night voted to send to the council a request by developer Tom Marx. He wants to use up to $200,000 in sales tax money collected by the Mid-Town Business District to help build up to three new stores on the northeast corner of 30th and Broadway. Planning and Development Director Chuck Bevelheimer says the Finance Committee liked the proposal.

( Chuck Bevelheimer :16 )

The Committee also approved sending to the Council a request to conduct feasibility studies on what specific types of residential housing is needed in the city, and how many additional hotel rooms the city needs. If approved, the studies would cost just under $38,000, with the housing study being completed in six months. The Council also got an update from City Engineer Jeff Conte on complaints about the city’s tap water having an odor. Conte says that the water is safe to drink.

( Jeff Conte :17 ) 

Conte says it’s likely that the odor is due to the development of algae, caused by the Mississippi’s low flow levels. Water is being treated to remove the odor, and it should be gone in the next few days. The City Council also approved a request to apply for a $960,000 grant from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Grant. The money would be used to build bicycle lanes on North 18th Street from the QU north campus to Koch’s Lane, and to build sidewalks on the west side of North 18th Street that would connect to the Bill Klingner Trail.