Alton Moves Forward With Ameren Powerline Relocation
Aldermen vote 5-1 to take action on longstanding powerline issue after repeated requests, previous postponement.
City of Alton - Committee of the Whole Meeting
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
ALTON – After more than a decade of delays and inaction, Alton city officials on Monday took the first step towards addressing what one downtown property owner has consistently called a public safety hazard.
Committee of the Whole members voted 5-1 to invoke section 4.2 of the city’s franchise agreement with Ameren Illinois to relocate bare overhead powerlines currently running less than six feet away from the facade of the historic Snyder Block building at 301 Piasa St.
Property owner Erin Frew, who has repeatedly called on city officials to address the longstanding problem of over 15 years, returned to City Hall once more to ask aldermen to take action shortly before the vote was taken.
“Tonight, I’m asking you to do what Building and Zoning has not done for 15 years – act,” Frew said. “This is no longer about one building. This decision sets the precedent for how Alton handles every utility hazard going forward.
“I respectfully ask you to move this section 4.2 resolution forward and require Ameren to resolve and relocate these powerlines at Ameren’s expense as your franchise agreement requires.”
Alderman Christopher Bohn, who introduced the resolution and represents the city’s first ward where the Snyder Block building is located, said the estimated $156,000 cost to relocate the powerlines is not the city’s concern.
“The wires are too close to the building. It’s our responsibility to address this with Ameren,” Bohn said. “What it’s going to cost Ameren is Ameren’s problem. I think we owe it to our business owners to address this.”
Frew said Ameren and prior city administrators previously developed a plan to relocate the powerlines, but claimed those plans stalled after the city’s current administration took office. Corporation Counselor Heidi Eckert confirmed Ameren had proposed a relocation plan for the powerlines, but claimed Frew did not accept their proposal at the time.
Eckert also said the franchise agreement in question does not allow the city to force Ameren to relocate the powerlines at the company’s expense, which is estimated to be $156,000. She advised committee members that if the resolution directs her to take legal action against Ameren, that matter should be discussed in closed session; Alderman Michael Velloff said the resolution doesn’t call for a lawsuit to be filed against Ameren, but simply calls for the existing franchise agreement to be enforced.
Alderwoman Patricia Ford cast the sole vote against the item, which now goes to the City Council for final approval this Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Alderwoman Stephanie Elliott was absent.
Follow the discussion and vote on this and other agenda items live on Riverbender.com/video. A full recording of the Dec. 8, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.
More like this:
- Most Popular
- Top Stories
- Most Recent
