CARBONDALE – The City of Carbondale announced Monday that it is the recipient of a $2 million Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) Implementation grant to fund phase 2 of the Downtown Entertainment and Events Plaza.
As part of the state-funded program, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has awarded a total of $10 million for nine community revitalization projects, which will enable grantees to implement projects aligned with economic recovery plans developed through a RISE Planning grant.
“As Governor, one of my top priorities is to reverse decades of neglect and broken promises and bring jobs, opportunity, and hope back to communities across Illinois, while breathing new life into our downtown corridors and beyond,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This program will directly support 25 communities across the state by funding critical community development projects, housing and infrastructure all while revitalizing commercial corridors.”
The City of Carbondale previously received over $2 million in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Rebuild Downtowns and Main Streets program to construct Phase 1 of the Downtown Entertainment and Events Plaza. Construction of Phase 1 began in September, 2024 and is proceeding at a rapid pace.
“This grant will have a significant impact on the future of Carbondale. It allows us to build on the momentum of Phase 1 of the venue and deliver a downtown destination that enhances quality of life, drives tourism, and supports our local businesses,” said Carbondale City Manager Stan Reno. “We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity that recognizes the vision our community has embraced and the investment in Carbondale’s continued growth and revitalization.”
Phase 1 of the Plaza will include a permanent stage and a large lawn that can accommodate thousands of guests for outdoor events of all kinds. Completing Phase 1 will enable the community to host entertainment and performing arts events in the heart of our community.
Phase 2 will provide the capability to host ticketed events and will fund the construction of a market activity pavilion with permanent restrooms and ADA-compliant parking. If funding allows, the development of special accessible seating and an acoustic wall along the railroad track could also be included.
For a detailed timeline of this project visit here.
Since 2017, the City has been funding and hosting concerts at this location, with the intent of developing a downtown entertainment venue. Since that time, tens of thousands from across the region have visited downtown to enjoy live music and patronize nearby establishments. Follow Carbondale, IL Tourism on Facebook to saty tuned to announcement for our “Off the Rails” concert series and other community events!
Through the RISE Implementation Program, the State is allocating funding toward economic development projects or initiatives identified in plans produced with support from RISE Local and Regional Planning grants to accelerate economic recovery. This includes acquiring land for affordable housing development, streetscaping, historic building renovation and other critical infrastructure projects identified in localities’ RISE plans.
