Taylorville rallying community support for IDOT grant to improve downtown

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Taylorville is soliciting help from the public in applying for an IDOT grant that could improve the downtown area.

City officials said in a Change.org petition that the funding they hope to receive comes from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), which is administered by IDOT. The purpose is to enhance the transportation system through preservation of visual and cultural resources while improving quality of life for members of the Taylorville community.

Proposed improvements to the downtown area include:

• ADA access to all commercial properties
• Pedestrian-friendly streetscapes to encourage visitors to spend time downtown
• Bicycle racks to encourage alternative transportation to downtown
• Benches to allow for rest and congregation
• Improved lighting in pedestrian and vehicle travel corridors
• Defined, high visibility pedestrian crosswalks

“Community support is an important part of the application, so please sign this petition to help make Taylorville’s downtown area a more accessible and safer place for all,” the petition’s organizers said.

The Taylorville Police Department, when they shared the petition on Facebook , said signatures are appreciated but told people not to donate money.

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