December 30 – STERLING – 2024 has been a big year for Sterling, with several projects and plans that will shape the city’s future.
Here’s a look back at five impactful stories coming out of Sterling in 2024:
Riverfront reinvented
Sterling’s Riverfront Reimagined Project, costing more than $300 million, calls for the multi-phase redevelopment of the Lawrence Bros. and National Manufacturing locations. The first phase began in November with construction of a new park, including an accessible multi-age playground, splash pad, plaza, park shelter, performing arts facility and restrooms.
The city awarded a $4.7 million bid to Sjostrom and Sons Inc. on Sept. 16. of Rockford and expects the bulk of the work to be completed in June, with a tentative opening of the park the following month.
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Artist renderings will go on display Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, at the site of Sterling’s riverfront project. (Alex T. Paschal)
In addition to the park, later phases could include an amphitheater, worker apartments, a hotel and events center and a rooftop bar/restaurant for the four buildings on the Lawrence site. That could be followed by market-rate apartments, a fitness center and yet-to-be-determined uses of the National site.
Discussions about homelessness
Sterling’s homeless population has been a growing point of discussion in 2024. City officials, along with Sterling police, have been dealing with an increasing number of complaints from residents and business owners about unruly homeless people.
Police Chief Alex Rivera said SPD responded to more than 700 calls for service involving the homeless between September 1, 2023 and September 17, 2024. Those calls resulted in 113 arrests and nine charges, ranging from property crimes, drug-related crimes, and violent crimes to disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace, obstruction and identification issues, as well as violations of sex offender registration and protective orders.
Police and city officials have said many of these calls for help involved homeless people dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues and refusing to accept help. The city began exploring options to improve the situation following a U.S. Supreme Court action that now allows cities to create an ordinance banning sleeping and camping in public areas.
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 28 in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson overturned a lower court’s ruling that had barred cities from enforcing public camping ordinances, which were considered cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. Now, municipalities can create and enforce these ordinances even if local shelters cannot house their homeless population.
That poses a problem, however, for Sterling’s Twin Cities PADS Homeless Shelter, whose growing homeless population has pushed shelter capacity to its limits.
Shelter director Myles Newberry recently asked the public for help after the Sterling City Council passed an ordinance on Dec. 2 banning public camping. The ordinance prohibits public camping, including setting up campsites, tents and bedding or sleeping in vehicles on public property, such as sidewalks, streets, parks and city-owned land.
PADS can accommodate up to 32 people per night. Newberry said before the COVID-19 pandemic, the facility averaged six guests per night. Now, shelters are averaging nearly 30 people per night, with the need for services expected to rise as temperatures continue to drop and the city’s ordinance leaves many with nowhere to go.
Sterling’s housing supply shortage
The Sterling City Council is grappling with housing issues as it plans for the future, aiming to address the aging housing stock, affordability issues and the diverse needs of the population.
The City Council met with city planner Dustin Wolff earlier this year to discuss how to diversify housing options for young professionals and seniors while balancing ownership and rental options.
Sterling’s housing stock consists primarily of single-family homes, with 78% of homes built before 1980, often leading to expensive renovations. A significant portion of the city’s population faces housing costs, especially for renters, with more than 10% of renters spending more than 30% of their income on housing.
Of Sterling’s 6,352 households, 38% rent. The city’s average rent is $757 per month; However, nearly a third of residents earn less than $35,000 annually, making affordability a major issue.
Wolff advised Sterling to develop “middle housing” options such as duplexes, triplexes and townhomes to provide more affordable choices for renters and seniors. The redevelopment of existing buildings and infill projects can also contribute to tackling the housing shortage.
Sterling’s proposed rental inspection program
The city council is considering a new housing code to improve living conditions in rental properties. The code would require landlords to register their properties, provide contact information and adhere to minimum living standards for things like heating, plumbing and sanitary facilities.
The code would also establish an inspection program to check for substandard living conditions, including inadequate heating, broken pipes and pests. Rental units would be inspected if they were vacant, and landlords would be notified in advance.
Own homes, temporary homes and properties already regulated by external bodies are not covered by the code.
Landlords would be given time to correct any violations found during inspections, with fines imposed if the problems are not corrected within a certain time frame. Tenants would also be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and maintenance of their rental units.
While the proposal aims to hold both landlords and tenants accountable, some landlords have raised concerns about the potential costs and vague definitions in the proposal.
City officials are seeking public input to refine the ordinance. If approved, registration could begin next year, with inspections following shortly after.
Name Train Town USA
In August, Sterling was recognized as one of more than 100 communities designated by Union Pacific as a “Train Town USA” – a tribute to towns founded by immigrants along the railroad lines more than 150 years ago.
Sterling Mayor Diana Merdian has worked for months to secure the designation, which is expected to bring additional tourism to the city and help promote projects like Riverfront Reimagined.
Sterling became the 18th community in Illinois to receive the designation, which Union Pacific began in 2012 to celebrate the railroad’s 150th anniversary.
The city also became a whistle stop for the iconic Big Boy No. 4014 steam engine on its “Heartland of America Tour.” Big Boy, the largest steam locomotive in operation, stopped at the Twin Cities Farmer’s Market on September 6.
