It was about eleven months ago that Devonshire Group from Champaign was given a number of variances to the West Main Form District code so they could redevelop the old Walgreens on Main into student apartments. The project was to be called Main Street Commons, but to date, no work has been done on the site from all outward appearances.
I wrote to the Devonshire Group representatives Thomas Harrington and Shawn Luesse (who made presentations to the neighbors last year) asking for an update on their plans over a week ago. No response. I wrote to Second District Council Representative Barbara Van Auken, and she told me she was meeting with them on Wednesday, June 23. After the meeting, she declined to tell me what they discussed, but said they would be issuing a press release “shortly.” As soon as I receive it, I’ll post it.
I also wrote to Pat Landes, the City’s Planning & Growth Director, to ask what she knew about the situation. “All I know is that there is a closing scheduled for this month and the project would be built in phases,” she said. Hmmm…. A closing? That would most likely mean they are acquiring additional property. If so, it makes me wonder what parcels they’re adding to the project. I think it’s safe to assume they’re waiting until after this closing to issue the press release.
As for building the development in phases, that’s a new wrinkle. I wonder how that would be accomplished. The building pictured above is supposed to have parking underground, retail on the first floor, and residential on the upper floors. Perhaps the plan will be to build only a couple stories initially, and then add more stories in the future.
Hopefully the forthcoming press release will explain everything.
Wouldn’t any changes in the concept require submitting a new plan to zoning and Council for appproval? Anyhow, getting no straight answers about this has been the norm. As one who would be affected by it, I’d love to know what the heck is going on.
It has just been a delay in closing. It should be kicked off soon.
Peoria Chronicle: thanks for trying to get something on this, I look forward to any updates. As a West Bluff resident, I have been anxiously awaiting this development, and have been wondering where the hell this project was at … the PJStar hasn’t done anything to inform us about the delay.
Does the city have any plans to make the developers follow the principles of new urbanism. How cool would it be for the area around Bradley to resemble Lincoln Park in Chicago (but with more green space and cheap and easy parking, of course.) Is Bradley taking an active role in redeveloping the neighborhood? A revitalized neighborhood would be a great recruiting tool for prospective students and faculty…..
Jim..ha lol You are new around these parts huh?
Sounds good to me.
Jenny,
Yes, I am relatively new.
I am starting to realize that Peoria has all the corruption of Chicago – but without most of the shopping/restaurants/culture. At a minimum, I would be happy to see Peoria become the west-central IL version of Champaign/Urbana.
Will someone please wake the city officials from their slumber.
“I am starting to realize that Peoria has all the corruption of Chicago…”
Whoooaa…. Hold on just one minute Al Capone!
Former Mayor Jim MaLoof promised us years ago all that crime & corruption would follow the Par-A-Dice gambling boat across the river!
If Jim heard you talking this way about his beloved Peoria, he would pop a ‘cap’in your a_ _.
Just wait until our multi-million dollar, world-class museum gets built! That will fix your little red wagon!
They closed on my house this past tuesday. Bradley kicked in the last million or so they needed to raise the required capital to start. It has taken this long to finish raising the funds to start the project. It is the same properties it has always been. The Walgreens and the three houses to russell are all purchased and will be removed to build the two housing units. The properties on underhill are phase two and will be where the pool area is. Phase three are aditional parking located behind the Mcdonalds off main.
There had only been one property purchased 11 months ago the rest of us have been waiting for over a year to have our properties closed. Dont get out the tin foil hat CJ.
“Former Mayor Jim MaLoof promised us years ago all that crime & corruption would follow the Par-A-Dice gambling boat across the river!”
And I wonder what is following Big Al’s across town? 🙂
Oh no! You mentioned the town on the other side of the river. Now you got me started on East Peoria!
East Peoria has attracted development, but in a haphazard, non-sensical sort of way. Reserve prime riverfront property to build a Wal-Mart. But you say a riverfront needs a park? What? Ok, we’ll reserve an airplane strip of green grass right behind the Wal-Mart loading docks. East Peoria has a lack of office space? O.k. Let’s build an ugly black glass bank building on top of a very steep hill and declare the narrow steep hill fronting the bank a city park! Perhaps the bank cannot afford to maintain that narrow strip of land. Let the city maintain it. G**** City Brewpub: Enjoy the In-house “micro-brewed” beer that tastes just like Budweiser! (The waitress that served us proudly announced this, as if I was somehow supposed to be impressed. Four dollars for a glass of counterfeit Budweiser? Uh, o.k.) L****’s Roadhouse? Home of the bland 1/4 inch thick steak! Oh, and as soon as you cross the bridge from Peoria, follow the big billboard advertisement to the new payday loan place! East Peoria is loaded with (mostly) crappy chain restaurants and big box stores, but it has no class….
At least you can find class in Peoria, but unfortunately, you really have to zig-zag across town to get to those venues. Peoria has so much potential. So many wasted opportunities…..
Don’t fool yourselves. East Peoria is way more corrupt than Peoria could ever think of being. It is probably the most insetious business cartel downstate.
I agree it is dumb of East Peoria to put restaurants and stores on the waterfront instead of reserving that property for parks.
For who knows how long, a large asbestos laden Central Illinois light Company building sat idle and untouchable at the east Peoria river front. Noone wanted to tackle that project until deep pockets Walmart. Who knows how many more years that area would have remained without a plan? Say whatever you want about it, but Walmart is an ‘anchor tenant’ that generates enough customer interest and traffic to fill that entire area with jobs. Example: Lorena’s Mexican Restaurant. Nobody stocks their shelves with stuff people want the way Walmart does.
Hopefully for folks newer to the area that may explain how the airplane strip of green grass right behind the Wal-Mart loading docks came to be and why East Peoria allowed restaurants and stores on the waterfront instead of reserving that property for parks.They felt it was the best card in their hand in many years of shuffles.
Walmart’s business practices aren’t always evil as some would argue.
(Sorry for errors. i’ve got some unresponsive keys on touch screen keyboard.)
-Scott