ARCOLA — Construction could begin in 30 to 60 days to complete roadwork surrounding the Libman broom manufacturing plant in Arcola.
Bill Wagoner, city administrator, said the major street project is lined up “to finish building out the roads around the Libman facility to support their continued growth.”
The city council recently awarded a contract to Feutz Contractors, Champaign, for the work.
“The project will upgrade the mix of mostly oil-and-chip streets to reinforced concrete to accommodate the semi-truck traffic delivering raw materials for production,” Wagoner said.
The reconstruction will involve a portion of Front Street and blocks of Sheldon, Jefferson and Jacques streets.
He said the $1.3 million contract is contingent upon the bid acceptance by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Wagoner said the bulk of the funds for the project will be paid by the Illinois Department of Transportation, while a portion will come from DCEO and about $150,000 from the city of Arcola.
“It was in progress before the (current) warehouse expansion,” Wagoner said. “It was part of a previous expansion.
“We’ll finish the route to the areas where they take their raw materials for making their metal handles. There’s a number of resin bins for their injection moldings.
“It’s an incredible thing they do.”
Libman manufactures a wide range of cleaning products, including brooms, mops, brushes, sponges, gloves, liquid cleaners and other items.
Sewer grant
Arcola has also received a $1.3 million Community Development Block Grant to rehab wastewater sewer lines on the city’s south side and to replace two pumps at the Oak Street lift station.
“The main trunk lines for the most part are original to the 1960s,” Wagoner said, “so they’re clay tile. We will replace it with PVC, and then we’ll work on some connections and replace those as needed.”
He expects the project to go out for bid next spring.
Katie Simpson, AICP
East Central Region Manager
Office of Regional Economic Development
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
C: 217.670.3830
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