The City of Aurora will receive $3 million from the State of Illinois for its downtown Broadway Avenue Improvement Project.

As part of the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital program, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $106 million in capital grants to 50 commercial corridors and main streets throughout Illinois, which represents the largest-ever RBI investment focused on community revitalization.  

“We are thrilled about this announcement,” said Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin who applauded staff for submitting a competitive and relevant application. “This grant will support the reconfiguration and beautification of the Route 25/ Broadway Ave. business corridor and further fuel economic activity. The improvements in our downtown have proven to have a ripple effect throughout the city.”

The three-million-dollar investment in Aurora will focus on three key areas along downtown Aurora’s primary north-south business and commuter zone: 

Funds will be directed to streetscape improvements to the public sidewalks along Broadway to enhance the pedestrian experience in Downtown Aurora, resulting in improved safety, better wayfinding signage, traffic calming, and enhanced outdoor dining and/or seating experiences.

The City will also replace outdated utility infrastructure including replacing aging watermains, removing lead water service lines and separating the City’s stormwater collection system from the sanitary sewer system. These improvements will result in significantly better service to the buildings and surrounding area, which will encourage further investment by new businesses and patrons in the corridor.

Additionally, funds will help to reconfigure traffic lanes along Route 25/Broadway Ave. will serve to improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians alike by addressing the current narrow lanes and parking space configurations and to provide geometric and signal improvements to support the conversion of New York Street and Galena Boulevard from one-way to two-way traffic.

Full plans and a timeline for the Broadway Avenue Improvement Project will be announced soon.