Kankakee, IL – During last night’s city council meeting, the city council voted 8-4 to approve the proposal for the fiscal year 2020 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant applications.
Alderwoman Danita Swanson (R-4) and Alderman Christopher Curtis (R-6) were not in attendance. Alderman Tyler Tall (D-5), Alderman James Faford (R-4), Alderman Larry Osenga (R-3), and Alderman David Crawford (R-3) voted against the proposal.
The Kankakee Riverfront Master Plan was adopted by the city council in July 2018. The goal is to reposition and develop the area as a main attraction to highlight Kankakee’s renaissance as a premier Illinois riverfront community.
The state grant funding that the City of Kankakee is seeking from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be to acquire property along the Kankakee River to develop the Kankakee Riverwalk. Development of the riverfront is part of Mayor Wells-Armstrong’s Kankakee Forward agenda.
“As I have stated from the beginning of this visionary project, we will need to be patient, but persistent as we pursue various resources to help us build the riverfront. Last night’s vote helps us continue to move forward in this process,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.
