MATTOON — The city is ready to seek bids for a contractor to build roads to serve the planned Emerald Acres sports complex and shopping area.
A bid measure to widen Fort Worth Way, Remington Road and Swords Drive in the Emerald Acres Sports Connection area and build a new Wooddell Lane east of Dettro Drive was approved Tuesday night by the Mattoon City Council.
“We have the approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation,” said City Administrator Kyle Gill, adding that IDOT announced Monday that it approves the city’s plans for those roads.
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The city received a $2 million grant from the IDOT Economic Development Program to help build the road. Much of the additional $4.5 million needed will be raised from the proceeds of revenue bonds issued by Mattoon Sports Complex Inc., which will own the sports complex.
Emerald Acres will be built on 110 acres donated by Mattoon-based Rural King, which has opened 40 adjacent acres it owns to commercial development. This previously vacant former farmland is located at the southwest corner of Interstate 57 and Illinois Route 16.
The sports complex’s field complex is scheduled to open in 2024, and its outdoor facilities are slated to open in 2025. Sports Facilities Management LLC, based in Clearwater, Fla., will manage Emerald Acres, and Sarah Bush Lincoln will relocate its clinic Mattoon in a field house.
Photos: Emerald Acres Sports Connection groundbreaking
Mattoon Sports Complex Inc. board president Blake Pierce unveils a poster announcing the partnership between Sarah Bush Lincoln and Emerald Acres Sports Connection as Sarah Bush Lincoln CEO Kim Offoff speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mattoon Athletic Complex on Wednesday.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
Mattoon Sports Complex Inc. board president Blake Pierce, right, leads the Emerald Acres Sports Connection’s ceremonial first pitch in Mattoon on Wednesday.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
Community members attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the Emerald Acres Sports Connection Sports Complex off Remington Road in Mattoon on Wednesday.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
A groundbreaking ceremony is being held Wednesday for the Emerald Acres Sports Connection athletic complex on 110 acres donated by Rural King in Mattoon.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
Flags advertise the upcoming Emerald Acres Sports Connection athletic complex during a groundbreaking ceremony at the southwest corner of Interstate 57 and Route 16/Charleston Avenue East in Mattoon on Wednesday.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
Rural King owner and chairman Alex Melvin speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Emerald Acres Sports Connection athletic complex in Mattoon on Wednesday.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
Mayor Rick Hall gathers after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Emerald Acres Sports Connection Sports Complex in Mattoon on Wednesday.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
Family members pose with shovels after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Emerald Acres Sports Connection athletic complex off Remington Road in Mattoon on Wednesday.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
A groundbreaking ceremony is being held Wednesday for the Emerald Acres Sports Connection athletic complex on 110 acres donated by Rural King in Mattoon.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
A groundbreaking ceremony is being held Wednesday for the Emerald Acres Sports Connection athletic complex on 110 acres donated by Rural King in Mattoon.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
A groundbreaking ceremony is being held Wednesday for the Emerald Acres Sports Connection athletic complex on 110 acres donated by Rural King in Mattoon.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
A groundbreaking ceremony is being held Wednesday for the Emerald Acres Sports Connection athletic complex on 110 acres donated by Rural King in Mattoon.
JOSEPH RESLER, HERALD & REVIEW
