Published on March 18, 2026 7:11 pm
Last Updated on March 18, 2026 7:11 pm
Effingham City Council members Wednesday took final action to adopt the Effingham 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
Work has gone on for more than a year and a half to complete the master plan for development in Effingham. Both City Commissioner Jake Niebrugge and City Planner Greg Koester agreed that, “Now, the work starts. We measure ourselves against it.”
Niebrugge also noted that Mattoon was mentioned in Site Selection magazine for receipt of $2.4 million from the State for substation improvements for 74 acres at Mattoon Enterprise Park. He said to give Mattoon its due, but also to take it as a challenge for Effingham.
With that in mind, the Council approved committing $1.25 million in City funds to match a $5 million Regional Site Readiness Program Capital Ready grant request. City Administrator Steve Miller said some of the 154 acres of City-owned land along South Route 45 would be developed. Miller said that area is short of electricity and could be the site of an electric substation and electric lines.
Also Wednesday, the Council approved new liquor licenses for the new owners of Hampton Inn and Suites and for Home2 Suites; approved a replat of two lots in Lake Edward Estates; approved a replat of two lots in Town and Country Subdivision along East Route 40; approved a plat of Yager Subdivision on North Route 45; and approved a plat of Niemerg OBW Commercial Subdivision, north of Effingham Performance Center.
The Council approved the placement of teal and blue bows along Jefferson Avenue from Front Street to Third Street for Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Meghan Rewers of Crisis Nursery and Donna Rouleau of Sexual Assault and Family Emergency said the bows will be in place from April 13 to April 30 to create awareness.
Council members discussed a liquor license for Upper Deck Bar and Grill, to be located on the upper level of the new A-1 Liquor building at Fayette and 4th; discussed a City contribution toward the cost of 4th of July fireworks organized by Effingham Noon Rotary; and discussed a project involving the City of Effingham and the County of Effingham to resurface the parking lots north of the County Office Building and the County Government Center.
There was discussion of a three-year renewal of website management services for Effingham’s tourism department; land acquisition for Phase 2 of the reconstruction of Merchant Street from Evergreen to Flamingo Avenues; action on the City Appointment Ordinance regarding an Economic Development Director to replace the retired Todd Hull; a TIF rehabilitation project at Bike and Hike downtown; and a residential rehabilitation project at 107 Eiche Avenue.
City Commissioner Larry Micenheimer chaired Wednesday’s meeting in the absence of Mayor Mike Schutzbach. Commissioner Hank Stephens was also not present for the meeting.
