Naming Rights for Showcase Center, Reconstruction of Merchant Street Top Items Before City Council

Naming rights for the Effingham Showcase Center and the reconstruction of a segment of Merchant Street were highlights at Tuesday's Effingham City Council meeting.

City Commissioner Hank Stephens shared that the Showcase Center board has contracted with Los Angeles-based Innovative Partnerships Group for $70,000 to research naming rights for the center. Stephens added that the cost will be underwritten by Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation.

The Showcase Center is targeted for an area west of the Effingham High School sports complex.

Regarding Merchant Street, the City has plans to reconstruct the portion from Eden to Flamingo this year, and the portion from Flamingo to Evergreen in 2025.

The Council discussed a change order with Civil Design on this year's project adding to the cost by $22,000, discussed engineering by Civil Design for the 2025 portion, and discussed acquisition of small parcels of property for the project from 15 different landowners at a total cost of less than $7,000.

Council members authorized a $30,000 service agreement with Milano and Grunloh Engineers of Effingham to wrap up a sewer and manhole lining project; closed the books on a fire protection and fire alarm project at City Hall; and agreed to close portions of some downtown streets for a Magic and Mischief Fairy Market set for June 8.

There was some discussion of a proposal for engineering work on water main replacements for about $105,000.

The Council also discussed plans for the solar eclipse on April 8, and of renewal of billboard agreements for the coming two years.

City Administrator Steve Miller reminded that a budget workshop will precede the next Council meeting on March 19. The City's new fiscal year will begin May 1.

Fire Chief Brant Yochum reminded to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and CO detectors when you set your clocks ahead this Saturday night. Yochum said crews will be out in certain parts of town next Monday through Wednesday to check smoke detectors and will replace malfunctioning detectors if needed at no cost to the resident.