• Illinois American Water is going to be busy in the local area the next few weeks.
As part of a $2.5 million upgrade, Alton and Godfrey areas will see the replacement of water mains throughout the city and village, including Nolte Place, Public Square, Leverett Avenue, Mulberry Street, Sycamore Street and Golf Road in Alton, and Pearl and Victor streets in Godfrey.
“This investment will enhance water quality and water pressure for our customers,” Illinois American Water Alton District Operations Superintendent Karen Cotton said.
Illinois American Water also will perform annual main-hydrant flush programs throughout September. Customers may experience an occasional drop in water pressure, slight discoloration, or chlorine odor in their water, but nothing to be concerned about, according to the company.
• On Sept. 20, College Avenue from the Alton Middle School parking lot to the Rock Spring Park entrance will be closed from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. for the second annual Walk for Sickle Cell event. On Oct. 4, Fourth Street from the east side of the Simmons Law Firm parking lot to Court Street and Alton Street between Third and Fourth streets will be closed from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. for the Apocalypse Haunted Attraction event. From Oct. 10 through Oct. 13, Third Street between Langdon and Henry streets and Langdon Street between Third and Fourth streets will be closed for St. Mary’s Catholic Church’s Oktoberfest. Streets will reopen at 3 p.m. on Oct. 13.
• As part of the ongoing Haskell Playhouse renovations, the city council has approved the city treasurer to make a $2,390 payment from the Haskell Playhouse Committee Fund to Gerald Walker for tuck pointing work to the playhouse. The city previously had paid a $650 deposit for the work to be done.
Currently, the paint is being stripped from the exterior of the playhouse. Following carpentry work on the floors, the playhouse will be repainted.
The iconic local landmark at 1211 Henry St. has been part of a recent fund-raising program for upgrades and renovations.
• The city has approved plans to pursue appropriate legal action involving 619 E. Broadway in downtown Alton, the former location of Lucky’s Bar and Coco Bongos Tropical Café. Plans include demolition of the building.
• The city is moving forward with plans to renovate parts of Riverview Park.
The upgrades are being covered by funds from the National Scenic Byways Grant, and will include design engineering and construction engineering services.
The city received a $400,000 grant from National Scenic Byways in 2012.
• A drive-by shooting in the 2400 block of Johnson Street last Saturday culminated in the arrest of a suspect Sunday night. The victim, a 19-year-old male, was in a St. Louis hospital in serious condition as of Wednesday.
• The Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau is offering free courtesy shuttle service to and from the Kenny Rogers concert at Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater on Saturday. Pickup locations will be the Alton city lot on the corner of Fifth Street and U.S. 67; the Alton city lot on William Street (one block north of Illinois 100); and Alton Square Mall next to Amarillo Tex’s Steakhouse.