September 26, 2025 

City Manager Pamela Reece

Despite not having a Council meeting this week or next (the next meeting is Monday, Oct. 6), we have much to share.

Read on to learn about progress on various construction projects around Town. Also, please take time to give us feedback about the Pedestrian & Roadway Campus Safety Initiative quick-build projects. A collaborative team of Town and Illinois State University employees have been working on this effort to make our streets safer for all users. Your feedback matters. 

In other safety matters, Officer Olive, the Normal Police Department's Wellness K-9, offers advice about how to handle encounters with furry friends who may be misbehaving.

And, as always, the calendar of events list is full! I encourage you to attend Day of Play Presented by PNC this Saturday. I'm proud of the Children's Discovery Museum and Town teams who transform Uptown Normal into a playground of fun, learning and adventure. October has a lot to offer! Have a great weekend! 

Left: A construction worker operates a skid steer on West College avenue. 

Above: Construction at Fire Station #2 is progressing on schedule. Fire fighters will move to this location later this year.  

Quick-build projects have launched across the Illinois State campus and Uptown Normal. We want you to experience them firsthand and share how they're working. 

Whether you're crossing the new painted crosswalks on University Street, finding alternate routes around the School Street closure or navigating any of the other safety improvements, your experience with these temporary changes matters. 

Thanks for sharing safety concerns in the campus area earlier this year … your concerns led directly to these quick-build projects! Now let us know if these changes are actually making a difference. Your feedback informs which temporary changes should be extended, adjusted or removed.  

Take the surveys for each project on the Normal Forum Campus Safety project page or scan QR codes at each project site. 

Town of Normal Human Resources staff deliver cool drinks to crews during especially hot days. 

Left: On a hot day in September, Safety and Wellness Coordinator Clare Dietmeier delivers refreshing drinks to Parks & Rec Maintenance Specialist Tony Mackey who was working hard to prepare Champion Fields for upcoming softball tournaments.  

Dear Olive, What should I do when I meet a furry friend (or their human) on the Constitution Trail or in my neighborhood who’s forgotten their manners?

Dear Neighbor, Thanks for sharing this concern with the Town. It's always best to approach others with kindness and respect (a friendly sniff is better than a growl). Focus on solutions, not blame, and build a "pawsitive" connection. 

Pet owners, listen up! If someone comes to you with concerns, stay calm and listen respectfully, even if it catches you off guard. Remember, a wagging tail goes a lot farther than a raised hackle.

Whatever the situation, aim for friendly conversations that strengthen community ties. And, if talking doesn't do the trick, don't worry. Report the behavior to the Town and our folks will help fetch a solution. 

Woof!

Officer Olive, Wellness K-9

Town of Normal Police Department

Above: Normal Police Department Officer Brad Park and Officer Olive greet a community member in Uptown Circle. 

If you've experienced problematic animal  behavior in your neighborhood or along the Trail, as Officer Olive suggests, we believe a respectful conversation is a good first step. However, the Town can help if that doesn't work.

The Town has regulations addressing unleashed pets, sanitation, animals disturbing the peace and more.

To share a concern, call 309-454-2444 or complete the Town's Report a Problem form or

Above: Community members enjoy Ballin' on Beaufort, a free community event on a closed-off section of East Beaufort Street in Uptown Normal to showcase the Illinois State Redbird men's and women's basketball teams as they gear up for a new season.

Above: The Constitution Trail sets the scene to get spooked at the Haunted Trail. Scary and Not-So-Scary Versions available.

Above: Community members enjoy booths filled with arts at the Suugrar Creeks Arts Festival. This year's festival is Oct. 11-12. 

Visit the Town of Normal website for past editions of Normal Now. 

Don't miss an email! In your inbox, tag the Normal Now emails as Primary (Google) or Focused (Outlook) to ensure you get them as soon as they are delivered. 

Thank you for being part of our community! We want to hear from you! Let us know how we're doing and what you'd like to see in future editions of Normal Now.