It’s down to the peas and carrots for Jacksonville’s downtown project.

Aldermen last night unanimously discussed minor details for the upcoming project, including sidewalk depth and whether to include a sprinkler system on the park grounds. City council members eventually settled on including the system and a sidewalk depth of six inches, to prepare for the possibility of vehicular support in the future.

Mayor Andy Ezard says construction will begin in the next two weeks after Wednesday's meeting with local construction company KE Vas and Illinois Department of Transportation officials. Several aldermen agreed on the sidewalk width to help the park be a multi-purpose area. Ezard says the coming construction signals the next step is here.

City officials plan to meet with Illinois Department of Transportation officials in two weeks to submit a funds release request, which would enable the city to use more than $400,000 in Title One funds for the project.

Also last night, aldermen approved the transfer of $25,000 from the city’s general fund to help pay salaries and maintenance fees at the Links golf course. Administrators initially thought they needed the five-figure sum immediately, but a rare profitable weekend at the golf course pushed that need to the backburner.

City Clerk Skip Bradshaw now has the authority to transfer up to $25,000 at his discretion if and when they’re needed.

Members of the team are congratulated by Mayor Andy Ezard.

And aldermen honored the Our Saviour’s 7th grade boys’ basketball state championship team after their state title win last month. Our Saviour’s picked up the 28-25 win against Joliet Laraway in Mount Pulaski on February 11th to clinch the IESA Class 71A State Championship.

The team and several parents were in attendance.