Wilmington City Council

Wilmington Beautification efforts ‘could be contagious’

Published by admin on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 4:56pm

Some Wilmington residents are hoping to band together to help spruce up some areas around the city.

On Aug. 25, a small group of people and several downtown business owners gathered at Wilmington City Hall to discuss with local leaders the possibility of forming a beautification committee for the city.

Wilmington resident Kim Jansen first brought the idea to the council’s Committee of the Whole in early August.

Wilmington officials disagree on downtown green space needs

Published by admin on Tue, 08/24/2021 - 5:01pm

Plans for a new parking lot in Wilmington’s historic downtown shopping district are still in the concept phase. But, some members of the city council are already looking to make some tweaks and changes to the plan.

A concept plan for a 38-stall lot was first brought to the council during the Committee of the Whole meeting on Aug. 10.

Proposed Wilmington kayak launch sunk for good

Published by admin on Tue, 08/24/2021 - 4:57pm

The question of whether a new kayak launch will come to Wilmington has been answered, and it’s a no for the majority of the City Council.

The North Island kayak launch was a $250,000 project, with $200,000 expected to be covered by the Forest Preserve District of Will County via state grant funding. The city would have had to invest $50,000, plus an additional annual cost of $6,000-$8,000 for property and liability insurance on the launch.

Wilmington to consider facade grant for new downtown wine bar

Published by admin on Tue, 08/24/2021 - 4:52pm

The Wilmington City Council will consider a facade improvement grant for a new wine bar expected to open soon on Water Street.

On Aug. 17, the council reviewed the application for the grant submitted by Adriana Martinez, a co-owner of Blue Horse Wine, located at 115 N. Water St.

Martinez and the building’s owner, Bob Hoover, submitted the application for improvements including paint, concrete filing, new lights, and the addition of an awning, with an anticipated total cost of $5,500.

Wilmington City Council looks at downtown parking proposal

Published by admin on Tue, 08/17/2021 - 5:35pm

Members of the Wilmington City Council have gotten a peek at a proposed concept plan for a parking lot in the downtown historic district.

In July, the council approved an agreement with Ruettiger, Tonelli & Associates, Inc. to design two concept plans for downtown parking, and do the prep work associated with asking for bids.

The plans will involve turning two vacant city-owed properties that sit along the west side of North Water Street between Jackson and Van Buren Streets into additional parking areas, as well as the alley south of the properties.

Kayak launch proposed for North Island in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 08/03/2021 - 5:12pm

Update - On Aug. 3, Mayor Ben Dietz told members of the city council that the proposal for the kayak launch had been scrapped, based on the advice of legal counsel.

One of Wilmington’s most notable landmarks for locals, travelers, and watersports enthusiasts is the Kankakee River and the city-owned North and South Island Parks.

Now, discussions have begun to help make it easier for those who like to kayak along the river.

On July 20, Mayor Ben Dietz told members of the City Council that he had been working with other entities on a proposal for a new kayak launch.

Wilmington City Council discusses road issues

Published by admin on Tue, 08/03/2021 - 5:10pm

With the calendar already reading August, the city of Wilmington is working to whittle down its list of projects to be finalized utilizing Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds. But, those projects are not expected to get underway until next spring.

Last month, members of the City Council went over a “wish list” of MFT projects.

MFT funds are monies collected at the pump by the state, then distributed to municipalities and road districts and earmarked for road projects.

Wilmington to explore new home for ESDA

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 5:33pm

Wilmington officials have begun preliminary discussions on the possibility of moving the city’s Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) to a new site.

On July 13, members of the city council went over some needs for the agency during their monthly Committee of the Whole meeting.

“The condition of the building with the roof and the lack of space, they’re running out,” explained city administrator Joie Ziller.

Wine Cafe to get full service liquor license

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 5:32pm

The city of Wilmington has added another Class A liquor license to its list, in order to grant a full service license to The Wine Cafe.

The members of the City Council met on July 20 for their regular meeting, as well as for their once monthly Finance Committee meeting.

The City Council voted to amend its code of ordinances to allow a total of nine Class A liquor licenses in the city.

Just last month, that number was raised to eight to allow for a new wine and martini bar—The Blue Horse—set to open on Water Street to obtain a Class A license.

Kankakee Dam discussions begin, but answers remain elusive

Published by admin on Tue, 07/20/2021 - 4:55pm

Members of the Wilmington City Council held their first discussion on the future of the Kankakee River dam last week. But, a solution on how to handle the safety issues at the site is still a long way away.

The issue of whether to remove the dam was brought back up for discussion in 2020. While a survey was sent to homes to gauge public opinion on the dam, there was no action taken or recommended.