Vandalia's Downtown Renewal A Reality
A shared vision of two mayors resulted in the recent dedication of the renewed Downtown Business District in the City of Vandalia, Illinois. Improvements to the Gallatin Street corridor included streetscape improvements, roadway reconstruction, new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, period street lights and the relocation of overhead utility lines to underground on Gallatin Street from Kennedy Boulevard to Seventh Street. Additional features include improvements to water, sewer and storm sewers in the downtown area.

The dozen-year effort began with former Mayor Sandra Leidner, was continued under the leadership of current Mayor Rick Gottman, and benefitted from participation of an active Vandalia Main Street organization and downtown enhancement advisory committee.

The project, anchored by the Vandalia State Capitol and Historic National Road, received significant Federal funding through the Illinois Department of Transportation in addition to a substantial local commitment. HMG Engineers provided design and construction period services for the $4.3 million project.

Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Facility
The recently completed and operational City of Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Facility has received a Merit Award in the 39th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards competition, sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois. Continued growth and maintaining three wastewater treatment plants caused the City of Waterloo to investigate constructing a single wastewater treatment plant with reserve capacity to handle 20-year growth.

The cost effective solution was to construct a new plant adjacent to the existing East Plant. The new 2.086 MGD plant includes a mechanical bar screen, grit chamber, four sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), non-potable water system, two aerobic digesters, belt filter press, and liquid and dried sludge storage. A new pump station at the West Plant was also constructed to direct flow to the new plant.

The total project construction cost was $11.5 million.
David Rodden, P.E., was the Henry, Meisenheimer & Gende principal in charge and project manager.