Rockford's Madison Street reconstruction worries businesses
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Major construction on Madison Street has not only impacted traffic, but some business owners on the corridor say they're worried they will suffer financial losses if the construction deters customers.
The City of Rockford announced the Madison Street corridor would receive a of its streetscape, along with water main upgrades, beginning May 12th through October 31st. The road will be closed to through traffic, with access to businesses remaining open.
'It's a little bit more of a struggle if you're not planning the day ahead, considering the construction,' said Ramiro Camacho, manager of Disco Chicken, 212 E State Street.
The $6.6 million project was first introduced to the city in 2017.
In Phase 1 of the project, the city is looking to completely resurface the northern end of the street from State Street to Prairie Street and improve the sidewalk, bike paths and railroad tracks.
Toni Arbisi, the owner of Arbisi's City Body Shop, said he has heard complaints about a lack of communication from the city, but that hasn't been his experience.
'The project manager has been here, Fehr Graham (the engineering contractor) has been down here to explain everything that's going to happen, showed us the blueprints and how it's all going to work out,' Arbisi said. 'Plus, with the City we've had several meetings that we've been part of, in preparation for all this to happen.'
Interim Public Works director Tim Hinkens said some of the complaints stem from unexpected construction projects nearby, including utility work along E. State Street.
'Both of those were unanticipated by us before the construction started. So I totally understand if people feel frustrated with the lack of knowledge of exactly what was going to be happening in front of their business and what the timelines are,' Hinkens said. 'We're doing our best to make sure that we continue to knock on those doors and be available to answer any questions.'
Arbisi said business owners can agree that they're excited to see the project completed.
'It is definitely something that needs to be done, especially with the railroad coming through here and the trolley that goes back and forth,' he said. 'So it's also nice for that. It's good for the city because people wrap around here to get to State Street, Market, Lafayette, Olivem Prairie Street. So it's got a lot of things that it touches and it needs to be done.'
Construction will be paused on Fridays to accommodate Rockford City Market events.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
One of Rockford's oldest neighborhoods gets improvements through city initiative
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Signal Hill, one of Rockford's oldest neighborhoods, is receiving much-deserved improvements thanks to the city's Livable Community Initiative. 'Signal Hill is about 100 years old. It's one of the oldest areas in Rockford,' said resident Dorien Peterson. 'This neighborhood very much deserves continued improvement, continued care.' The program combines federal and local funding for improvements like additional housing, sidewalk repairs, access to transportation and community gardens. 'I believe that this initiative is truly going to be impactful. This initiative provides support for neighborhoods,' said Alderman Tamir Bell. 'The tipping point, right from being a good neighborhood to being a great neighborhood. And I believe that all neighborhoods in the city of Rockford should one day be great.' The Keith Creek neighborhood was the first one selected to be updated through the program in May. Now, the Region One Planning Council is accepting applications for the second round of neighborhood help. Bell is in full support of Signal Hills receiving improvements. ' I'm super excited to partner with the neighborhood association and the neighbors in Signal Hill to see if this is a project that they'd like to move forward on,' Bell continued. 'Region One Planning Council is focused on neighborhoods like Signal Hill, which have so much potential but just need a little bit more support.' Tim Verbeke, with the initiative program, said the program has already received $100,000 in funding from local businesses and private donors in the area. Peterson hopes to see her neighborhood beautified. 'I would love to see the sidewalks improved. We have a lot of trees in this neighborhood. The roots have pushed up an awful lot of sidewalks. So, that right there is a safety issue,' Peterson explained. The next neighborhood to be improved will be announced in November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
ComEd unveils $10 million fund to help Illinois residents with energy costs
FORD HEIGHTS, Ill. (WTVO) — ComEd has announced a one-time, $10 million Customer Relief Fund available to eligible Illinois residents and businesses to offset rising capacity charges. On June 1st, ComEd is raising the capacity charge, the cost paid for companies to store extra energy in case of a spike in demand. According to ComEd, 'Energy prices are driven by supply and demand. Large power generators sell this electricity supply to ComEd and we pass this cost directly to you. Because of factors like extreme weather, spikes from high energy users like data centers, and other factors, demand is outpacing supply, so costs are getting more expensive. Due to these factors, starting in June 2025, the will increase for all ComEd customers.' Capacity prices are extra payments consumers pay power plant operators to have enough reserve electricity available in the event of a sudden spike in demand. The Citizens Utility Board estimated each household's bill would go up approximately $10 a month. However, CUB explained that ComEd will not profit from the price increase, since the cost is passed along to the utility via PJM Interconnect. Utility companies are required to pass supply costs onto consumers. The Customer Relief Fund will become open to applications starting July 7th. To lessen the impact of the supply price increase, ComEd recommends practicing energy efficiency at home, considering a community solar deal to help ease costs, or installing solar panels. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Rockford residents battle through hardship to get a high school diploma
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Several Rockford residents who were enrolled in an online high school program received their high school diplomas at the Nordlof Center on Wednesday. The Adult High School Program is offered by the Rockford Public Library to support those in the community battling hardship who want to earn their high school diploma later in life. Over 30% of Rockford residents do not have diplomas because of personal hardships, according to Loomis. The program's Development Director, Brook Loomis, said there were over 175 people enrolled this year. 'I feel like every time we come to these ceremonies, it almost feels more like a pep rally,' explained Loomis. 'Yeah, it brings you to tears because, you see, multi-generational families graduating together.' 'I think it really takes away those barriers that they might have had before,' Loomis continued. 'That's really what we've found with this program is that we allow students to do it on their terms.' One of the program's academic coaches could not be prouder of his students. 'I've been with this program for about eight years, and to see a lot of our students come from where they were to actually getting a diploma,' said Academic Coach Gibson Garcon. 'Some of them didn't even think it was possible.' The program will continue to provide Rockford residents a second chance, with 100 people already enrolled for next year's classes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
