PeoriaIllinoisan has been keeping an eye on Maplewood, and there’s progressively less and less to look at. Bradley didn’t waste any time before starting in on the demolition. The definition of progress around here is tearing down century-old homes in a stable neighborhood to make way for a parking deck. Bradley will wither and die without this parking deck, so it’s a fair trade, they say.
Last night the City Council unanimously approved replacing the arbor at Rebecca and Main. Second district councilwoman Barbara Van Auken said that this was to show that the City is not only committed to the success of its institutions, but also committed to strong neighborhoods. I’m happy they’re getting their arbor rebuilt, but comparing this gesture to what the City allowed Bradley to do is unbalanced, to say the least. Is replacement of the arbor worth a whole block of houses plus the conversion of dozens of remaining properties to rental homes? My guess is the neighborhood would rather forget the arbor and have Maplewood back.
Incidentally, I found out that material salvaged from those homes will be resold through Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.
Why am I paying for that arbor? The city can’t maintain decent sidewalks. Asinine.
It’s a buy-off. We couldn’t fund the arbor two or three years ago but now that we’ve allowed part of the neighborhood to be destroyed, we’ll toss you a bone to appease you. That said, I do like the look of the arbor when I drive by but I have to agree that their really are much greater priorities that are currently unmet that need to be addressed in the community.
CJ: Does that mean that the limestone caps from the porches and the limestone window ledges will be at Restore too?
Peo Proud,
Exactly… its a nothing more than a bone. Relatively cheap compared to what is being lost on Maplewood.
Glad to hear they’re letting Restore strip it instead of the architecture ending up in Chicago.
Karrie, don’t count on finding limestone slabs. The house they just tore down was only lightly stripped out; there are two more houses that will be smashed to pieces in the next few days. From driving by, one of them looks like it was gutted pretty well. There’s a beautiful brick house right next door to it which will be sad to see come down…
Of course you’ve also got many many fine houses right behind on Cooper which will soon begin their transformation into rental. I know one family whose home will back up to the parking deck. They’ve already said they plan on moving, and I can’t blame them.
As far as the “Arbor” goes, it’s nice to see that the city if going to rebuild one of them, but as I’ve said before, Bradley University should be paying the bill.
I wonder if it’s the same family I know. He told me he had no plans on moving unless of course Bradley hands him $500 grand for his house.
BTW, Bradley does need more parking even if it has to be a deck. Where would you suggest they build or add parking if not where they are??
I spent 35 minutes today trying to find a space to park and I have a permit.
You could’ve parked in front of CJ’s house and walked over. That’d be quicker than 35 minutes of driving in circles. You can’t park in front of my house though, unless you asked me nicely for a temporary parking pass.
The family I know has young children. They’re not going to wait around for $500,000.
Actually, my street requires a permit, too. But I’ll be happy to provide Emtronics with one if he wants. I’ll bet he doesn’t want to walk that far, though. He probably kept circling looking for a spot right by the door…. 😉 (I kid)
Didn’t realize your entire street was restricted…
I don’t mind people parking on my street, as long as there’s a spot open somewhere relatively close when I get home at night. My garage wasn’t made for anything larger than a Honda Civic, so one car goes in the driveway and one car goes in the street. Works out ok, for the most part. I actually used to own a Honda Civic, and it did fit, but not easily.
Emtronics, there’s also ample parking available at CampusTown.
Well he could have parked in front of my house just fine. He could have parked north of Columbia Terrance and had a nice stroll and been where he needs to be. That he spent 35 minutes looking for a parking space in all likelihood closer says to me he is just too lazy to walk.
Bradley should also review how it gives out permits. There are plenty of folks that probably should not have one.
If you can walk 10 or 15 minutes and be on campus, you have no business having a parking permit. I know Bradley is giving permits out to people within a couple blocks. Whatever parking ‘problem’ is imagined has a strong self inflicted element too it.
But then having that ‘problem’ serves a vital purpose their expansion efforts. Manufacture a constituancy that believes there is a parking problem and then get them to support you.
Why rebuild the Arbor after voting for the destruction of the neighborhood. some physical some by circumstance. Cooper reported to have 13 new rental houses, this will rot that street. When the parking deck goes up, so will more homeowners will go putting more stress on the Rebecca St. homeowners who will leave because of the problems which will develop on Cooper. Bradely will buy up property cheap for the next expansion and hopefully will include the new tax funded Arbor in their design plans.
Well well well, we all assume that I am (A)too lazy to walk or (B)want closer to the door. Maybe you are all wrong. First, there is little space in Campustown unless you park over by the grocery store and then you take your life into your own hands, besides, I thought parking in Campustown was for Campustown customers? Doesn’t seem right for Bradley students to park there. Second, I pay for a parking permit which should require or at least I should expect an on campus parking spot which is why I bought the permit. One just can’t park in front of anyone’s house in that area unless you have a special permit. If you have a class in the morning, then you must leave 40 minutes early to find a place to park, not close to the door, but just to find a space anywhere on campus. Lastly, parking in Campustown for me is not an option unless I am getting Wonder Dogs because there is nothing like returning to your car and finding that someone sideswiped it pulling into the tight spot next to your car and then left without so much as a thankyou note for the damage.
My original question still stands. Parking on the Bradley campus is hard to do because there are limited spaces. BTW, it was damn nice of the city to use taxpayer dollars to rebuild an arbor that in my opinion will someday bear the name of the side entrance to Bradley University.
“unless you park over by the grocery store” Which proves my point that you don’t want to walk.
“I paid for a parking permit” Um yes you did and Bradley, like many universities issues far more permits than they have spaces for. Maybe you should be focusing on Bradley’s practices on issuing parking permits rather than expecting (formerly) stable neighborhoods to be sacrificed from someone elses foolishness.
“One just can’t park in front of anyone’s house in that area unless you have a special permit. ”
And once again like in other posts before, I will point out that half the Uplands requires NO permit at all. But like campustown I guess you are to lazy to walk a block or two.
“parking in Campustown for me is not an option” Cause your car might get sideswiped? LOL and that won’t happen on Bradley Campus or in the new Bradley parking garage (which you probably wont be allowed to park in)? or on any other street in Peoria?
Come on Emtronics, you are fishing for excuses.
Was it good or bad the last time they torn down houses in that neighborhood?
Paul Wilkinson, you’re dead on correct.
With the house on the corner gone now, the 2nd house is exposed, and what a beauty. I never really noticed it before.
CJ,
I went to ReStore today and talked to the manager there. They know nothing nor have been given access to the Arbor homes, to salvage anything. Bradley has not communicated any such thing to them.
They would love to go in and do salvaging but it doesn’t look like Bradley is letting them or anyone else it seems.
I called Gary Anna’s office at Bradley and talked to the secretary. She was unaware that the demolition had begun already (she must drive in from the east). Anyway, she’s going to find out how the salvage is going to work and get back to me. I’ll let you know what I find out.
Mahkno: What a dick. I never complained about parking at Bradley and you apparently don’t know that if you apply for a permit late, Bradley won’t sell you one. That must mean there is a limit per semister but they do probably over sell.
I will not park in Campustown as parking in Campustown is for their businesses only and they have signs posted saying so. How would you like it if someone parked in front of your business and then walked away leaving your customers to go elsewhere? I guess under your logic I could park at Jimmy John’s. This morning at 5am, there were about 10 cars (snow covered) parked on the University side of Campustown. That means students are garaging their cars there overnight. I know of at least 3 businesses that have complained about this. BTW, my 5 week old new car was hit at Campustown while I was at Steak N Fries on March 5th.
As for parking in the neighborhoods, I just went and looked and every street has a sign posted that a permit is needed to park in the Uplands. Also you can not park on Cooper or Rebecca streets. Permit parking there also.
I bought a permit knowing full well I was going to have to fend for myself. My original question here; I was wondering where Bradley had all this excess parking and if they do need a new deck, then where should they build it?
Has for getting close to the door, yes I try because since last March (2006) when I came down with a Neuro disorder that for 2 months took away any ability I had to walk at all, it has been hard for me to get back 100%. I was off work for 7 months learning how to walk again and regaining balance. (which is how I discovered these blog sites) I am close but I still have a left foot problem that makes walking a little tough sometimes, but if you happened to have an MD also, I’ll let you in on all the details. You seem to have all the answers here. Don’t tell me to get handicap parking permits either. I refused a handicap card becuase I am going to beat this thing I got. As far as I am concerned, you, Mahkno, are a know it all insenstive prick at times.