The City of Carbondale announced it received a $2 million Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery Implementation grant.
The RISE grant will fund Phase 2 of the Downtown Entertainment and Events Plaza project.
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $10 million for nine community revitalization projects across the state.
Pritzker said, "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."
Construction of Phase 1 began in September, when a permanent stage and a large lawn were installed to host outdoor entertainment events. Phase 2 will expand to hosting ticketed events and building restrooms, along with ADA-compliant parking. Plus, accessible seating and an acoustic wall along the railroad track.
For more information and a detailed timeline for the project, visit the City of Carbondale website.
