Braidwood awarded $600,000 grant for city center

The City of Braidwood has been approved for a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois to support the development of public parks and outdoor recreational space.
In July, 2025, Mayor Todd Lyons said went door to door seeking input from the community on what improvements would make Braidwood a better place to live and a city center with activities was one of them.
“It was more activities,” Lyons said. “It was a better Main Street. They need something added to the Main Street beautification events to bring the community together––a farmers market, splash pad, more recreation for kids and teens, parks, trails, playgrounds.”
Steve Gulden, the city’s administrative consultant, said the OSLAD grant would give the city $600,000 from the state, and it would have to match that $600,000. Gulden said at that time the city would have to pay the money up front, and then be reimbursed by the state once the project is done.
The motion for a city center passed with three votes in favor, one vote opposing the measure from Commissioner Dale Walsh, and an abstention from Commissioner Warren Wietting.
Planning ahead
In September 2025, the Braidwood City Council approved a measure to apply for an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant for the new city center project.
Hitchcock Design Group, who was contracted to design the city center, assisted the city in applying for the OSLAD grant. The firm has a portfolio of projects in the works and completed in Illinois, Wisconsin, and other states.
The OSLAD grant will bring recreation opportunities for city-owned property off Main Street behind the Casey’s store. The project would create outdoor community gathering spaces, that will overall improve the quality of life for residents.
“This is an exciting day for Braidwood. This investment will benefit families, support community events, and strengthen Braidwood for generations to come,” Lyons said.
The grant was awarded by Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) as part of the latest round of OSLAD funding. In total, $36 million was awarded to 67 communities across Illinois for local park development projects.
Home stretch
Hitchcock Design is currently working on a $20 million Riverwalk Mill Race District in Kankakee, featuring a white water course carved from a nine-foot dam, a promenade, festival street, transient boat facilities, and mixed use sights. The firm has also developed a city center, complete with splash pad, in Neenah, WI, similar to what the mayor has in mind for Braidwood
Lyons told the council that improvements include walking trails, a band shelter, splash pads and pavilions, and there’s a plan for a second phase that adds pickleball courts.
“I would like to thank our local and state legislators along with our staff for all their hard work and support on this project," Lyons said. 
A timetable for construction of the town center has yet to be announced.