ALEDO, Ill. – Aledo’s downtown just got a whole lot brighter—and busier. City leaders, community members, and project partners gathered Friday to cut the ribbon on Market Plaza, a newly completed public space adjacent to Central Park that is already being hailed as a signature destination for events, gatherings, and everyday life in Mercer County.
What was once an asphalt parking lot has been transformed into a versatile plaza featuring gathering areas, vendor access, seating, and a welcoming streetscape design that connects key parts of the city—including College Avenue and the historic Aledo Opera House.
“It’s a banner day,” said Aledo Mayor Chris Hagloch, reflecting on the long journey to bring the space to life. “It’s been about a year and a half since we first sat down with the engineering firm and were told to imagine the area as a blank slate. What you see today is proof of what imagination and collaboration can accomplish.”
The Market Plaza is part of a larger three-phase redevelopment plan in Aledo. Phase one—the Central Park parking area—is now complete. Phase two, including improvements to the Opera House and Depot, is nearly finished. Phase three, a new aquatic center, is slated to begin next year.
Pam Myers, longtime Rhubarb Festival volunteer and community advocate, said the new plaza will be a game-changer for Aledo’s largest events.
“Just wonderful growth,” Myers said. “We’ve had our ups and downs, like many small towns, but this project shows what happens when people work together. The improved layout and safety features are going to make a huge difference, especially when we welcome thousands to town like we did at Rhubarb Fest last year.”
With over 18,000 visitors attending the two-day festival in 2023, infrastructure and pedestrian access have become increasingly important.
State Senator Neil Anderson, whose district office is located downtown, said the plaza project represents more than infrastructure—it represents a renewal of spirit.
“This is small-town America. This is what it’s supposed to look like,” Anderson said. “We’re going to see people from Muscatine, the Quad Cities, and beyond coming here to see what’s possible when a city and community work together.”
Anderson also remarked on the pride and charm of the finished space.
“You take a walk around town now and it feels like something out of an old 1960s magazine,” he said. “The pride the community has in this is the most special part.”
Bringing that vision to life was the task of HDR Engineering, which helped design and implement the transformation. Project manager Paul Baele said the team focused on flexibility, function, and aesthetics.
“The key was turning a basic parking lot into a space that works for events, for normal daily use, and everything in between,” said Baele. “We included utility hookups for vendors, areas to sit and gather, and improved walkways that unify the downtown.”
The project received substantial support from the State of Illinois, enabling the city to complete a significant portion of the master plan in a single phase.
Baele credited the City of Aledo for its leadership: “The mayor and council were wonderful to work with. This project was truly a team effort from start to finish.”
As for the finishing touches? They’re already becoming iconic. Mayor Hagloch noted the backdrop of Friday’s celebration—with the “Welcome to Aledo” mural, WRMJ’s glowing neon sign, and the historic Opera House nearby—was a fitting snapshot of where the city has been, and where it’s going.
“It’s all part of the puzzle,” Hagloch said. “And it’s one we’re proud to keep building.”