Ottawa City Hall might get the state to pay three-quarters of the cost of an amphitheater on the riverfront where Central School used to be. The City Council approved committing $1 million to the estimated $4 million cost Tuesday night. The city’s money would come from a tax increment financing fund. Mayor Dan Aussem says the state would pay the rest if the grant’s approved.
The amphitheater is part of a long term plan to redevelop the area for recreation. Since the area next to the Illinois River is prone to frequent flooding, it will no longer be used for a school as it was until 2008 or for business as it was before the school was there.