By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – The Town of Normal has decided not to apply this year for a federal economy development to help fund a pedestrian crossing at Uptown Station.
“We don’t feel that the grant is ready. We think that it’s a little bit too early,” said Mayor Chris Koos. “We’ve been encouraged by people in DOT (Department of Transportation) and Federal Railway Administration that we should do it – go ahead and apply – but we don’t feel that we’re ready.”
Koos said they’re chances of receiving funding this time around were not strong in the first place.
“There are other grants that are happening in Central Illinois that we would be competing against and would, I think, cloud the issue,” Koos said.
One of those applications comes from the City of Bloomington, which is seeking funding for a project on Hamilton Road.
“We knew this was going to be a long term approach. We figured it was going to be three to five years for us to get a grant from the federal government to make this happen,” Koos said.
Normal does plan to apply for the grant next year. In the meantime, the town will move forward with a feasibility study for its project.
Additionally, the town is looking into other types of federal grants. Koos said there is one known as a Fast Lane grant, which a grant specifically for grade separation projects.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
