Second District Council Member Barbara Van Auken has just forwarded me the promised press release from Devonshire Group regarding the proposed Main Street Commons development. I’ll comment on it later. For now, here it is in full:
New Student Housing and Retail Development
Begins Construction in PeoriaFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shawn Luesse
Tel: 217-403-3300
Cell: 217-840-3823
Email: shawnl@devonshire-realty.comDevonshire Group and Oxbow Development will begin construction this summer of Main Street Commons, a 184-bed mixed-use complex at the northwest corner of Main and Bourland in Peoria. The two-phase student housing project will offer such amenities as a multi-layered security system, concierge service, 8,000 square feet of retail lease space, a swimming pool, tanning facilities and a 24-hour fitness center. Enhancing the options available to Bradley University students, Main Street Commons will open late summer 2011 with availability for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Main Street Commons is being developed by Oxbow Development and Devonshire Group. Oxbow Development, based in the Quad Cities, has extensive experience with projects similar to Main Street Commons having developed several student focused living communities on and near campus’ throughout the Midwest. Oxbow managing member Ben Eastep states, “I am excited to partner with Devonshire on this venture. We are proud to bring a first class product to Bradley University.”
Devonshire Group, based in Champaign, utilizes their Single Source Solutions approach encompassing real estate development services including civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, structural and environmental engineering, title services, and architectural services. Devonshire’s expertise and services along with Oxbow’s experience with student housing, combine to offer an upscale option for Bradley University students.
Bradley University, a strong supporter of the project, continues to experience strong enrollments which include expectations for another large freshman class for the fall 2010 semester. Main Street Commons will allow Bradley University to offer their students the modern, attractive, upscale housing and amenities today’s students expect from a high quality, well respected and competitive University. Bradley University President Joanne Glasser, who is committed to providing Bradley students with the best possible educational and living environment, states, “Universities that continually enroll and appreciate outstanding students and that offer a complete, enriched educational experience, understand the importance of supporting quality of life options for students. Bradley is delighted with the Main Street Commons project and its outstanding features. We know our students, faculty and staff will find Main Street Commons a welcome addition to the area.”
Area residents are also excited about the project. Golda Ewalt, who lives in the neighborhood, states “The new apartments will bring more people to our neighborhood making the area more vibrant. More people may attract more business such as restaurants. This is exactly the movement I am looking forward to seeing. The new development makes this a better place to live.”
Throughout the planning process Oxbow Development and Devonshire Group have worked closely with City of Peoria officials and Bradley University as well as local investors and Marine Bank. “I’m delighted by this significant investment on Main Street and the much-needed quality housing it will bring to Bradley University students, while enhancing the older neighborhoods that surround the project.” states Council Member Barbara Van Auken.
Equity for the project was provided by a consortium of investors primarily in the Peoria, Bloomington and Champaign area. Financing for the project is provided by Marine Bank.
Main Street Commons will be available for leasing for the 2011 fall semester and is considered Bradley University approved housing for Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors and Graduate Students. Please contact Oxbow Development for leasing information at (563) 441-3055, email info@liveatmain.com or on the web www.liveatmain.com. Leasing information for the retail space can be obtained from Thomas Harrington, III at (309) 692-7707 or tt@cbcdr.com.
UPDATE: According to Shawn Luesse, “Phase 1 is the south building on Main Street. Phase 2 is the north building on Bourland Avenue. Phase 2 is planned to start at the conclusion of phase 1 construction.” The swimming pool and pool house are part of Phase 2.
UPDATE 2: Shawn Luesse told me via e-mail earlier this week that “Phase 2 [of the project] is planned to start at the conclusion of phase 1 construction.” But what do I read in the Journal Star Thursday morning?
Phase two still is considered “proposed.”
Luesse said based on “certain parameters,” including occupancy rates, that phase two, which includes the second three-story building, swimming pool and additional off-street parking, could be completed within a year after the first phase is completed.
Well, that’s a horse of a different color. In other words, Phase 2 might not get built at all. It all depends on “certain parameters,” “including occupancy rates.”
with the commercial real estate market in the dumps and the complexity of closing on several properties it wasn’t a surprise to see this take some time. I am excited to see and believe this mixed use facilty along with on street parking on Main Street is going to be great for the area.
Free bulletproof vests with every 1 year lease!
Joe don’t be so small minded…
FYI, Peoria Chronicle…. Phase 1 was NOT promised during the initial proposal. So, the developer(s) can’t be faulted for THAT. Nor, should the developer(s) for wasting money investing in a second phase IF the first phase ” maxes out ” demand. Anyone with Common Sense knows THAT.
Why must, nearly, every private or public development in the City of Peoria generate a controversy? You should be glad that SOMEONE of this caliber is willing to invest in Peoria. These same (Oxbow Development and Devonshire Realty) developers were, originally, planning part of THIS project for West Peoria. But, West Peoria opposition and early ” Renaissance Park ” momentum influenced a larger project for Peoria.
This firm has an extensive AND significant portfolio of, high-quality, student housing properties and management. THIS mixed-use project will, unquestionably, help change the entire makeup of Peoria’s West Main Street for the better. So, WHY make trouble? THIS project’s approved and underway. ” What’s not to love? ” People like yourself, constantly raising issues and suspicions, are HURTING Peoria instead of helping!
Peoria, the proposal that was approved did not contain a phase one or phase two. Take a look at the various public records and news coverage and you will find that the project has changed many times.While Oxbow Development and Devonshire Realty have pledged honest and open communication, the reality is that many of their actions have come as a surprise and they have often chose not to respond to questions raised by the community and media. I know I have heard from several of my fellow affected residents (those who live near the site) that there was some irritation over the fact that they started demolition and didn’t bother to inform the neighborhood. Since part of a public street (Bourland Avenue) was blocked off, the City also has some responsibility to communicate (which they did not), but it is also a lapse on the part of a developer who has pledged to be a “good neighbor.”
Take a look at the site maps that were provided at the first public meeting for the project. The project has changed since the first proposal that was in the PJStar. The important thing is it has not changed from the site plans that were provided at the public meetings and made available to the neighborhood or the plans that were submitted and approved by the zoning department more then a year ago. Im sure they will be a better neighbor then an empty wal greens, a run down parking lot and a handful of run down rental properties.
Conrad,
(laughter) Those ” sour grapes ” are bitter aren’t they? So call City Hall and complain about the demolition. I would be surprised, if YOU already hadn’t. But, it’s time for YOU to face reality. THIS project’s, already, been approved AND is well-underway. No amount of protest is about to stop a multi-million dollar development project from occurring WITH OR WITHOUT THE NEIGHBOR’S APPROVAL.
With all due respect, You made your case about the project. But, IT didn’t work! You’re about the only one, not only in this community but your neighborhood, who isn’t excited about it. Now, it’s time to stop whining about it and move on!
And who are you, Peoria? I may disagree with Mr. Yerley on some things, but I respect the fact that he has the courage to put his name behind his opinions; which is one lesson you could learn from him.With all due respect, I do think you may need to be better informed, since some of the assumptions you make just aren’t based on facts. My views, and goals,on this issue are a matter of public record and I would appreciate if you would not distort them. If you are having a problem comprehending,which it seems you are, please feel free to contact me offline and I will be happy to explain.
“Why must, nearly, every private or public development in the City of Peoria generate a controversy?”
Peoria,
Why do YOU think every development in Peoria must generate a controversy?
First, not EVERY development project does generate controversy, just those which are…ill-conceived. Consider the last 20 years. Peoria City has a piss-poor track record when it comes to ‘promoting’ and/or encouraging any type of development, public or private.
Make a list of successful ‘developments’.
Make a list list of not so successful developments.
Peoria:
And that is how the public process goes in Peoria for the last 17 years …. shape the project in the back room with only certain players, roll out the project with little time for public review and keep the shell game going. Glen Oak school replacement was not built in Glen Oak Park. All the talk of how it will benefit the Joe and Jane Citizen is usually a smoke screen.
New Voice:
I think you need to define ‘successful’. List number will be the longer of the two.
Conrad,
Did I hurt your feelings? GET OVER IT! ALL the information about Main Street Commons, which was originally know as ‘ 1109 W. Main ‘, was made public. You’re not revealing ANYTHING new that isn’t a matter or public record. Besides, the City Council and the city administration ALREADY approved this project. So, WHAT do you expect to accomplish by pursuing this crusade?
(laughter) You’re not scaring anyone! I ” comprehend ” a lot MORE than you think. Besides, there’s nothing YOU could say on or offline that changes the facts. YOU, only, validate those ‘ views AND goals ‘ in agreement with yours and me signing my name behind my comments won’t make a damn bit of difference. Meanwhile, spare ME the histrionics!
New Voice,
Peoria City has a piss-poor track record when it comes to ‘promoting’ and/or encouraging any type of development, public or private.
WRONG! And, peoples definition of ” Successful or Unsuccessful ” is, merely, perception. No amount of data nor discussion will change that. So, WHAT is your point?
Karie Alms,
What you said about ” the last 17 years ” is true. In fact, we could go back even longer if the truth be known to the development(s) of CAT Headquarters, Northwoods Mall, Twin Towers, Interstate 55, Etc. as more examples of private and public projects that were ” back room deals ” . YOU expect it to change? Some are, just, more clever at concealing it. Where big money’s at stake, there will ALWAYS be a ” smoke screen “.
Do YOU, seriously, expect ‘ public review ‘ to change that? However, the ” public process ” has, ALWAYS, been this way. Populist candidates love to make such ‘ campaign promises ‘ during their election campaigns knowing fully well, unless their naive, that it’s a lie. Right or wrong, it’s reality!
Thanks for opinion, Peoria. Unlike anyone who appears in the above press release, I am directly affected by this development. That means I have to live with it. If I have concerns about things that affect me, I will raise them and do what I can to be sure they are addressed. Others who are similarly affected have joined me in raising those concerns and I appreciate their support, since they, too, have to live with it. Your understanding and approval are not required.