Collinsville receives $15,000 grant for Collins Park project

Collinsville received a $15,000 environmental grant as part of the Madison County Sustainability Program, which it will use to assist the Collins Park project that began with demolition of the Martha Manning Warehouse and Main Square Apartments, 701-703 W. Main St.

The grant will be used toward the installation of an energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning system as well as the purchase of rain barrels to collect and store rainwater from the Collins House’s rooftop, among other things. The rain water will be used for lawn and garden care.

Demolition of the structures began May 18. After they are razed, the Collins House will be relocated about 200 feet toward the corner of Main Street and Combs Avenue.

The site left by the Collins House will become a community park, with some land being marketed to developers for potential residential or other development.

Collinsville Mayor John Miller said there have been some misconceptions about the kind of park it will be.

“Everyone on Facebook is asking about a swing-set or saying, ‘Where’s the slide?’” he said, referring to the city’s social media post about the project that received nearly 50 comments from residents. “It’s not that kind of park.”

Miller described it as a place for “relaxing, visiting.”

Madison County Board Member Liz Dalton said it will be more of a “walking garden.” Dalton serves on the grant committee that applied to the sustainability program on behalf of the project.

“This is an example of the county and municipality working together for the betterment of the community,” Miller said, adding that another example is the city’s waiver of water tap fees for an apartment complex the Madison County Housing Authority is redeveloping for the community. That waiver was approved at the city council’s meeting on Tuesday.

This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 10:11 AM with the headline "Collinsville receives $15,000 grant for Collins Park project."