Goshen Commons Takes Shape in Downtown Edwardsville

Goshen Commons, the City of Edwardsville’s new pedestrian plaza on St. Louis Street, is coming together in the heart of downtown. Drone footage captured by 618 Homes on Nov. 5 shows most of the brick paver plaza laid, the entry gateway standing, and shade structures in place. The city will announce an opening date once finishing work is complete.

The plaza turns the block of St. Louis Street between North Main and North Second streets, right beside the Madison County Courthouse, into permanent public space. The block and the lot next to it have long been home to the Land of Goshen Community Market, and the city designed Goshen Commons as a place people will use every day: for the market, Parks & Recreation programming, community gatherings, and special events.

Key details

• Location: St. Louis Street between North Main and North Second streets, plus adjacent city-owned green space
• Owner: City of Edwardsville, with Edwardsville Public Works overseeing design and construction
• Construction contract: $3.95 million, with S.M. Wilson & Co. as general contractor
• Design team: Lochmueller Group (engineering) and Arcturis (architect)
• Funding: a $2 million state grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, with the remainder from the city’s Edwardsville Enhancement Fund
• Status: under construction since an April 20, 2026 groundbreaking
• Opening: date to be announced

What does the site look like right now?

The city’s most recent construction update, posted Oct. 14, reported steady progress through the summer. The concrete base was in place along the former street, and masonry and paving work was moving forward, most visibly at the entry columns. Crews were installing the paver sub-base for the section built to host market trucks, trailers, and tents, and utility work was underway so overhead lighting can be strung and the site will have plenty of electrical connections.

Parks and Recreation Director Nate Tingley told The Edwardsville Intelligencer that the remaining timeline will depend on weather, materials, and equipment deliveries.

The Nov. 5 drone footage shows how much has been completed since:

• Most of the brick paver plaza is laid along the former street.
• The entrance gateway is up, with brick columns supporting a steel truss arch.
• Pergola-style shade structures on brick columns are standing.
• A small dark-roofed building, either the restroom or the storage building, is in place.
• Seat walls are taking shape.
• The green space is graded and ready for landscaping.

A “Goshen Commons Coming Soon” banner from S.M. Wilson and the City of Edwardsville hangs at the site, showing renderings of the finished plaza.

What will the finished plaza include?

According to the city, Goshen Commons will feature green space, a large gathering area, walkways and seating, festoon-style lighting, a video screen, restrooms, and game tables. The project also includes decorative pavement and hardscaping, landscaping and irrigation, shade structures, site furniture, and signature entry signage. Mayor Risavy has also mentioned bike racks, gaming boards, and an interactive video wall.

For market vendors and events, the design includes electrical hookups and a paved area built to support trucks, trailers, and tents. A storage building behind the video screen will hold chairs, umbrellas, and event equipment.

One feature many residents may not know about is a historic landmarks monument, which aldermen approved in July. It will include eight plaques, each honoring a landmark recommended by the city’s Historic Preservation Commission:

1. Leclaire Academy
2. Benjamin Stephenson House
3. Nickel Plate Station
4. Edwardsville Public Library
5. West End Service Station
6. Hadley House
7. Wildey Theater
8. Madison County Courthouse

An additional plaque will thank the Kriege Family for their funding support and the Historic Preservation Commission for coordinating the effort, and will explain that the monument is meant to help visitors learn about historic sites across Edwardsville, as reported by RiverBender.

Visitors will be able to use existing downtown street parking and public lots.

How is the project being funded?

About half of the $3.95 million construction contract is covered by a $2 million state grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, aimed at supporting downtown economic vitality. The city announced the grant and the project in August 2024, the same year it purchased the lot at 116 St. Louis Street from the Vuagniaux family, who had long welcomed the market on the property.

The city’s share comes from the Edwardsville Enhancement Fund, supported by a quarter-percent sales tax that took effect Jan. 1, 2024. The fund is dedicated to green space purchases, park projects, capital projects, and public safety pensions.

The City Council approved the construction contract with S.M. Wilson in March, and later approved a storage building to keep event equipment on site.

How will Edwardsville use the space?

The Land of Goshen Community Market moved to City Park for the 2026 season during construction. Lochmueller Group describes Goshen Commons as the market’s home, and the city has said the plaza will serve as the market’s newly redeveloped summer home, starting next market season.

Mayor Risavy has described the plaza as a place to relax, read, grab a bite, or gather in groups large or small. He has said he hopes Goshen Commons becomes an extension of City Park, with more large events making use of both spaces.

In an April interview with 618 Homes, a city official shared several programming ideas the city has discussed:

• Year-round programming
• Live music and games
• Cardinals games and movies on the big screen
• A possible SIUE partnership, such as a 3-on-3 basketball tournament with college athletes
• Holiday activities

The official said the city expects Goshen Commons to unlock development potential downtown and bring more support to existing restaurants and shops.

Goshen Commons is part of a broader investment in downtown Edwardsville. It joins the North Main Street water main and streetscape project, a separate effort, along with planned Route 66 Trail coordination along North Second Street.

What happens next?

Crews are continuing finishing work, including landscaping, seat walls, paving, lighting, and utility connections. The city will announce an opening date and any ribbon-cutting plans as the project wraps up.

Sources: City of Edwardsville; Lochmueller Group; The Edwardsville Intelligencer; RiverBender; EdGlenToday; FOX 2; 618 Homes drone footage (Nov. 5, 2026) and interview with a city official (April 2026).