Published on June 3, 2025 9:22 pm
Last Updated on June 4, 2025 6:45 am
Effingham City Council members Tuesday discussed the merits of selling property at Willow and Fayette to the Wright family. The location would serve as a new home for Wright at Home Interiors.
The store is currently located just east of the proposed location along East Fayette Avenue. That building, though, is coming down as part of the Fayette Avenue reconstruction project.
City Economic Development Director Todd Hull said the two lots involved are valued at $190,000. Wright’s Furniture President John Wright said they are looking at a 9,750 square foot facility.
Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach said the City has been looking for just the right facility for the property as it welcomes visitors to Effingham along Illinois Route 33 from the southeast and along US Route 40 from the east.
The Council also discussed a Downtown/Southtown TIF Redevelopment project involving Home Ice at 601 West Wabash Avenue. The total project cost is $228,460, with the City paying for 25% of the approved costs, or $21,216.
A downtown rehab project was also discussed, that being The Pub in downtown Effingham. The plan is to renovate the front of the building, with the City’s share of the cost at $3,525
Final votes on all of these projects should come within the next month.
The Council also discussed use of hotel/motel funds for 200 new parking spaces at Thelma Keller Convention Center, and discussed the appointment of Scott Ealy to the Tourism Advisory Board.
The Council approved a sanitary sewer improvement project along Mt. Vernon Avenue and along Jaycee Avenue. A&R Mechanical was chosen for the work for $579,750. Also, Rick Manford was appointed to the City Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, succeeding the late Jim Wolters.
City Commissioner Larry Micenheimer, still recovering from surgery, was not present for Tuesday’s meeting.
