Alton City Council Gives Final Approval For Downtown Planters

Alton City Council Meeting

ALTON – Plans to install planters along a section of Broadway in downtown Alton are now moving forward after being delayed late last month.

Alton City Council members unanimously approved a previously postponed resolution to consider an ordinance authorizing $11,814 in Food and Beverage Tax funds to purchase Earth Planter containers for Broadway in downtown Alton.

With the council’s approval, 25 planters are set to be placed along Broadway from Ridge Street to Market Street in an effort to promote beautification and economic vitality in downtown Alton.

During public comments, resident Mike Batchelor reiterated his support for beautifying downtown and making the city more appealing to visitors. However, he questioned the effectiveness of the planters alone in accomplishing this goal.

“My concerns were never about the flowers,” Batchelor said. “My concerns were about priorities, planning, and the use of tourism funds for a relatively small project without any evidence presented that just two dozen flower pots would be a meaningful increase in tourism or economic activity – especially after we cut the business hours for some of these people already.”

Instead, Batchelor said he believes there are “opportunities to think bigger and invest smarter,” and suggested the city look into hanging plant baskets to preserve downtown sidewalk space for other uses.

“Instead of flooding sidewalks with heavy planters, perhaps we should build up our account and work towards decorative lamp posts downtown with hanging baskets down the street,” Batchelor said. “Hanging baskets would beautify downtown while also preserving our sidewalk space for future sidewalk sales, outdoor dining, window shoppers, and the type of walkable atmosphere that actually encourages people to stay longer and spend money.”

Alderwoman Martha Pfister moved to amend the resolution to add language stating Pride Inc. and the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau will provide plants and soil for these planters for the next two years. Her motion and the amended resolution were both approved unanimously.

A full recording of the May 13, 2026 Alton City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.

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