Category Archives: Peoria Civic Center

City Council, City of Peoria, Peoria Civic Center

Council roundup: Hotel “request for proposal” approved

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The city council wants to get proposals for a new hotel that would be physically connected to the Peoria Civic Center.  The Civic Center Authority believes that such a hotel is crucial for the success of the civic center expansion.  According to the all-knowing, all-seeing consultants, convention centers “in northern climates” are more successful when they have climate-controlled hotels connected to them.  Thus, they’re looking for a hotel that meets this criteria:

  • National chain with centralized reservation system
  • Minimum 3-4 star Mobil rating
  • At least 250 rooms (300 preferred)
  • Full-service, including pool, sit-down restaurant, bar and room service
  • Facility must be architecturally compatible with Peoria Civic Center

Incidentally, I think that second bullet is funny — I mean, is the minimum 3 or 4 stars?  It can’t be both!

The request for proposals originally specified where the hotel would be sited on the Civic Center property, but the council decided to leave the specific location open to developers, so long as the hotel is physically attached somehow.

My take: This is only the latest in a series of proposed “silver bullets” for the success of the Civic Center.  What does the Civic Center need to be successful?  HRA taxes.  A consultant.  A renovation.  An expansion.  A hotel.  It never ends!  It’s like that old detective show “Columbo” starring Peter Falk.  Just when you think you’ve finally gotten rid of them, they turn around and say, “Oh, one more thing….”

We’re always just one more large capital expenditure away from wild success.  This hotel is just the latest mirage.  They’ll build it, and the Civic Center will continue to operate in the red, and then we’ll hear that there’s just one more thing we need:  a new covered parking deck, perhaps, or a private restaurant in the Civic Center proper, or whatever.

I don’t know what the answer is for the Civic Center, but I can tell you that it isn’t more tax money. Why is it that The Mark of the Quad Cities can make a profit for 12 straight years (they had their first losing year in 2005), but Peoria’s Civic Center, which is managed by SMG, can’t ever turn a profit?  Is it time for new management?

Heart of Peoria Plan, Museum Block, Peoria Civic Center

Hotel misplaced?

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The Journal Star reports that the Civic Center Authority will be deciding today whether to “enter into land negotiations with an unidentified developer” to build a hotel adjacent to the Civic Center.

Isn’t there already a hotel near the Civic Center called the Hotel Pere Marquette?  Granted, it’s not immediately adjoining, but do they really think that the extra block is driving convention-goers away?  I mean, everyone went apoplectic at the threat of an Embassy Suites going up right across the river.  If convention guests are willing to commute from across the river, it doesn’t look like proximity is the main problem.

I’m guessing the Pere was looking forward to the Civic Center expansion.  More events at the Civic Center means more guests at the hotel.  Only now, if the Civic Center Authority approves this development, all those extra guests will be going to the new Civic Center hotel.

Of course, that’s capitalism, so more power to them.  Still, I can’t help but think this hotel is misplaced.  Wouldn’t it be better, say, down on Museum Square?  You know, like the Heart of Peoria Plan suggested?

Huh (*shakes head*). The Heart of Peoria Plan . . . how passé.

City Council, Peoria Civic Center

How about if Peoria buys the naming rights?

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I got to thinking about my last post, and I have an idea.

Do you remember how the federal government regulated speed limits in the ’70s?  They told states they could have any speed limit they wanted, but if they wanted federal money to maintain the roads, the speed limits had to be no faster than 55 mph.

Suppose the City Council were to pass an amendment that says the Civic Center Authority can name the venue and arena whatever it wants, but if it wants HRA tax revenues, it will have to be named the “Peoria Civic Center” and “Carver Arena”?  Doesn’t that sound fair?  That way, if they can wean themselves off HRA taxes, they can sell the naming rights.  But as long as they’re operating on taxpayer dollars, the taxpayers get to decide the name.

I think we’ve earned that right, don’t you?  According to the Journal Star’s editorial today, HRA taxes amount to $55 million.  Here’s an issue where I agree with the Journal Star — the Civic Center should scale back their plans instead of selling the naming rights.

Peoria Civic Center

Naming the Civic Center

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The Journal Star reports that any renaming of Carver Arena may need City Council approval. Whether or not that’s true, what do you think of selling the naming rights for the Civic Center and Carver Arena?

I personally think it stinks.  The reason they need to sell naming rights is because they don’t have enough money, which begs the question, “why are they expanding if they don’t have enough money?”  I thought the Civic Center was supposed to become self-sustaining, eliminating the need for the HRA tax.  Now, not only do we get to continue paying these taxes, we won’t even be able to call the place the “Peoria Civic Center” much longer.  If they’re that short on funds, they should scale back their expansion plans rather than strip the venue of its names.

O’Brien Automotive pays $150,000 a year for naming rights on the ballpark.  Haven’t Peoria area residents paid enough in HRA taxes to earn having the name of our city on the Civic Center?