Four downtown buildings are now slated for demolition following the approval of a bid at Monday night’s Galesburg City Council meeting.

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved a $129,340 bid from D&T Demolition LLC to tear down 224–240 S. Seminary St. Three of the long-vacant buildings have been owned by the city since 2014, with 224 S. Seminary acquired in August.

Once home to LaSalle Electronics, DeLuxe Café and a longtime meeting space for Alcoholics Anonymous, the buildings were part of a thriving business block during the era of the C.B. and Q. Railroad. City officials have deemed them too deteriorated and not financially feasible to redevelop.

The consent agenda passed 5–0, with First Ward Councilor Angelica Mangeiri absent and Fifth Ward Councilor Heather Acerra abstaining.

Other approved items included:

• $85,035 purchase from Knapheide Truck Equipment of Quincy for a dump truck body, snowplow and salt spreader.
• A lease with Jefferson Bus Lines to operate out of 225 S. Seminary St., replacing Burlington Trailways, which ended service earlier this year.
• Contracts with Galesburg Public Transit to provide discounted rider punch cards to the Galesburg Rescue Mission, Safe Harbor and the Salvation Army.
• A contract with Thrive Community Services for paratransit services.

Tax levies pass unanimously

A 2025 property tax levy was unanimously approved. Property owners will pay about $2.35 per $100 of equalized assessed value on their 2026 tax bills — roughly 3.7 cents less than the previous levy and the city’s lowest rate since 2008.

Because property values have increased, the city will still collect 4% more overall. Police and firefighter pensions account for 50.9% of the $10.87 million levy.

The council also approved the Special Service Area tax levy at $1.50 per $100 EAV for the downtown district, covering properties between Cedar and Chambers streets and extending north one block and south one and a half blocks of East Main Street. The levy, in place since 1975, funds downtown maintenance.

Historic home designated local landmark

A home at 325 N. Prairie St., built in 1891 for merchant James Edwin Webster’s family, received local landmark status on a 5–0 vote. Fourth Ward Councilor Dwight White abstained.

Acerra, who owns the home, applied for the designation and emphasized she receives no financial benefit. She and her husband restored the house after years of deterioration and said she wants to prevent future owners from dividing it back into apartments.

She also noted her interest in preserving the legacy of Webster’s daughter, Inez, a Lombard College graduate who worked in France during World War I and later ran orphanages for Armenian and Russian children.

Other unanimous approvals

• Agreements with attorneys H. Wayne Statham and John Robertson to serve as administrative hearing officers for nuisance and code-violation cases.
• A two-year lease with the Galesburg Tourism and Visitors Bureau for city-owned space at 2163 E. Main St. City Manager Eric Hanson said an “active search” continues for a new tourism director, with hopes to fill the role by year’s end.
• Payment of $92,982.73 in maintenance fees for the city’s Springbrook accounting software.

Public comments

Three people addressed the council:

• Rev. James Hailey, Allen Chapel AME Church, thanked the community for supporting the church’s Veterans Day fish fry.
• Deborah Moreno, representing Galesburg Community News, thanked the community for its support and noted the ongoing NewsMatch fundraising drive.
• A resident spoke against racism and the “labels” that he said perpetuate it.

Council member closing comments

• Acerra, Fifth Ward: Highlighted the Knox County Community Artisans at Hawthorne Center.
• Greg Saul, Sixth Ward: Thanked the community for supporting the fish fry.
• Steve Cheesman, Seventh Ward: Recognized First Lutheran Church food pantry volunteers, who served 166 families (567 people). He also acknowledged Lindstrom’s 100th anniversary and the 95th anniversary of Templeton Roofing.
• Wendel Hunigan, Second Ward: Spoke about housing revitalization needs and the launch of a $600,000 property-owner grant program.
• Evan Miller, Third Ward: Noted challenges with homelessness and mental health and his desire to help address them.
• White, Fourth Ward: Spoke about recent ICE raids nationwide, saying their tactics “break my heart” as a veteran.
• Mayor Peter Schwartzman: Thanked organizers of recent Veterans Day events at Walmart and Allen Chapel, noted last week’s state legislative luncheon, and highlighted the “Celebrate Galesburg” event.