Construction on $4.6 million Sixth Street revitalization project set to begin Monday

QUINCY — Construction will start Monday, Feb. 12 on the Sixth Street revitalization project between Maine and Vermont streets.

A press release issued Friday from Steve Bange, engineering manager for the city, and Maggie Strong, project consultant, says initial construction will be the excavation of the water mains at various locations on Maine, Hampshire and Sixth. Sixth Street will be closed from Hampshire to Vermont to vehicular traffic mid-to-late week. Sidewalks and businesses in this area will remain open.

• All businesses along Sixth will continue to operate during construction.
• Reconstruction for the entire 2-block project area is expected to last until November.
• Different sections of Sixth will be closed to vehicular traffic at different times during construction. 
• Pedestrians can access Sixth businesses during construction.
• Sixth will be open to vehicular traffic when construction is complete. 
• Multiple public parking areas are within easy walking distance from businesses on Sixth.
• Patrons are encouraged to use back-door entrances to businesses where possible.
• Motorists are reminded to use caution while driving near the construction work zone.

The total cost for the project is $4.6 million. The project will address water and sewer work, road and sidewalk reconstruction and streetscape improvements including lighting, benches, planters and electrical. Rees Construction Company was awarded the project.

The revitalization project marks the culmination of years of work by city officials, business and property owners and volunteers advocating for the reconstruction and redevelopment of the two-block stretch in The District.

With the adoption of the Quincy Next Strategic Plan in 2018, stakeholders focused on encouraging investments through placemaking, connectivity and accessibility. City leaders moved to follow the recommendations of multiple surveys and studies, including the 2018 Quincy Next Strategic Plan and the 2020 Quincy Regional Transportation Plan. Sixth Street property and business owners invested their own money in the development of a 2020 Design Charette to build consensus around a unique vision for the space.

The City of Quincy was awarded a $2.4 million Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Street Capital Program grant in October 2022 for the project. The city’s utilities budget will cover the water and sewer work. The remaining costs will be funded by the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) budget. TIF is a method of funding public investment in an area slated for redevelopment by capturing, for a time, all of the increased tax revenue that may result if the redevelopment stimulates private investment. 

Property and business owners on Sixth have made private investments in their properties, contributing to the TIF. New projects in the past decade were multiple upper-story residential units, restaurants, retail establishments, a brewery, event space and coffee shops. 

The Sixth Street stakeholder group plans to privately fund additional streetscape amenities and beautification projects, further enhancing the public-private partnership aspect of the project.