RAISE Grant to Fund Full 3.5-mile Jasper Street Project
Jasper Street Corridor Implementation
The City of Decatur recently received a $9.9 million RAISE grant for the Jasper Street Corridor, marking a major win and significant milestone. In the 1 ½ years since the Jasper Street Roadmap was approved by City Council, Decatur has mobilized a range of local, regional and national partners. The collaborative effort has already yielded impressive results, including a "youth earn-and-learn" bike program, vibrant street murals, painted crosswalks, and the repaving of streets surrounding an educational campus.
"This is a testament to the many partners that have worked on this project to this point, so I want to say THANK YOU!!! Now, the work begins!”
- Cordaryl “Pat” Patrick, Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Decatur.
The RAISE Grant will fund the full 3.5-mile Jasper Street project, which will include:
- A new multi-use path for bikes and pedestrians
- Traffic calming measures, including the reduction of Jasper Street from four lanes to three with a new center turn lane
- Improved lighting
- Upgrades to the viaduct underpass
- New solar-powered bus shelters with charging stations
What's the best way to implement a plan? Reach out to partners to support key initiatives.
Thriving Community Partners (TCP), a USDOT-funded program staffed by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the Shared Use Mobility Center (SUMC), has played a crucial role in supporting these efforts. TCP has provided seed funding for many of the initiatives, on-site training for the bike programs, and grants to local organizations.
Teska continues to support project implementation by focusing on placemaking initiatives and plans for the educational campus, which includes Hope Academy, the Boys and Girls Club, and a new daycare center. Our team is also actively engaged in broader efforts to revitalize Decatur including housing rehab strategies with the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority (CILBA).
A Bike Rodeo at Jasper Fest taught kids about bike safety.
Local community members shared their visions and dreams for the corridor.
Placemaking In Action
Early action implementation took place during Jasper Fest, wherein the Decatur community worked on a mural in the Johns Hill Magnet School and Johns Hill Park parking lot. Thanks to the Decatur Arts Club and Johns Hill School who worked so diligently to make this happen!
Jasper Fest attendees working on the mural in the Johns Hill School parking lot