City of Peoria, Warehouse District

You need residents downtown if you want ‘synergy’

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John Sharp recently asked on his j-blog, “what’s it going to take to sustain Downtown activity? …What’s it going to take to make more evenings in Downtown Peoria look like the Fourth of July than some Wednesday night in August?”

The answer is “downtown residents.”

There are never going to be enough special events downtown to sustain a steady stream of people swooping into downtown from the suburbs. There has to be a built-in population who live downtown, who shop downtown, who eat at downtown restaurants, who drive demand for more retail and restaurant offerings, who utilize public transit, etc. That’s the only way to get “synergy” downtown.

There have been a couple of plans to do this. There is still significant interest in developing the Warehouse District by creating loft apartments — if the City will fix Washington Street so it’s pedestrian friendly. Then there is former Economic Development Director Craig Hullinger’s idea to extend Water street north of the Riverplex and build townhouses along what he dubbed “River Trail Drive.” That project has been set back by the recession, according to Mr. Hullinger (who still keeps up on development in the City) and Bobby Gray (in the City’s Economic Development Department). They’re both optimistic that a viable offer to develop the area will materialize in the near future as the economy picks up again.

City of Peoria, General News

Main Street Commons update (UPDATED 2x)

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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 Peoria

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Shawn Luesse
Tel: 217-403-3300
Cell: 217-840-3823
Email: shawnl@devonshire-realty.com

Devonshire 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.”

Chamber of Commerce

Chamber wants to take Peoria business leaders to Red China

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The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a trip to China for a low package price of about two grand, not including transportation from Peoria to Los Angeles. But why? For what purpose? The Journal Star reports:

A visit to China will not only open the eyes of business leaders, but their minds, said Rob Parks, president of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce.

The article doesn’t say specifically what Ms. Parks believes business leaders have their minds closed to. The rest of the article just quotes her saying that the country is very old, very populous, and very friendly. Participants will get to tour the usual sights (e.g., the Great Wall), but will also hear from “Chinese business leaders.”

I wonder if there will be anyone from Amnesty International to speak to our business leaders about China’s widespread human rights violations. It bothers me that the Chamber is cheerleading for doing business in/with a nation where “torture and other ill-treatment continue[s] in prisons, police stations, Re-education through Labour camps, and other unofficial detention facilities” and where hundreds of thousands of people are incarcerated by police without trial, to name just a few human rights abuses.

On the other hand, human rights abuses effectively keep labor costs down. And heaven knows we’ve got to compete with Wal-Mart and other superstores who already exploit cheap Chinese labor. So I guess it’s best not to think about things that might prick the conscience. It’s not good for business.

General News

I’m singing a song of freedom

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Happy Independence Day! To help you celebrate, I present here Irving Berlin’s “Song of Freedom” from the movie “Holiday Inn” (1942), sung by the inimitable Bing Crosby. Enjoy!

My family went to see the Glen Oak Park fireworks last night as usual, and they did not disappoint. We’re all looking forward to Sky Concert tonight on the riverfront. I’d like to wish all my readers a safe and happy Fourth of July!

General News, State of Illinois

Illinois’ budget woes catch the attention of the New York Times

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Illinois is so bad that even the New York Times is taking notice.

For the last few years, California stood more or less unchallenged as a symbol of the fiscal collapse of states during the recession. Now Illinois has shouldered to the fore, as its dysfunctional political class refuses to pay the state’s bills and refuses to take the painful steps — cuts and tax increases — to close a deficit of at least $12 billion, equal to nearly half the state’s budget.

Then there is the spectacularly mismanaged pension system, which is at least 50 percent underfunded and, analysts warn, could push Illinois into insolvency if the economy fails to pick up.

When the state doesn’t pay its bills, it hurts a lot of other government agencies — for instance, school districts. At a recent District 150 school board meeting, Comptroller/Treasurer Pam Schau reported that the state owes District 150 $9,125,000, as of June 23. That’ll put a dent in your operating budget.

Despite this state of affairs, our representatives are continuing to spend money on non-essentials, such as giving tax breaks to millionaire developers.

City of Peoria, Parking

City plans to continue subsidizing downtown parking

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From this week’s Issues Update:

The City owns and operates several parking lots on the Peoria Riverfront. These are the Michel East and West Lots, Edgewater Lot, and Liberty Lot, which are collectively known as the MEL Parking Lots. These lots are controlled by means of three sets of ticket booths and gates, which are accessed from Water Street. Since 2006, the MEL Lots have been posted two?hour free parking in an effort to promote short?term parking for customer use. Parking meters and permits are available for long?term parkers. During this time, the ticket booths have been vacant and the gates lifted. Additionally, complaints have been received that the ticket booths sometimes confuse new visitors trying to park in the lots.

These facilities had been left in place in case the City would again decide to charge hourly rates in these lots. However, it is unlikely that the City would choose to provide manned ticket booths for this area. A more viable solution would be to install an unmanned area parking system to control these lots. Since these facilities no longer serve a purpose, they should be removed to create better access to the lots and remove any confusion by the motorists. The Public Works Department, using in?house labor and equipment, plans to remove the ticket booths and gates and to provide clearer signage for these lots. Our first priority will be to remove the gates at the foot of Liberty Street to allow two?way access to the lots during the Water Street construction. The rest of the ticket booths and gates will be removed over the course of the summer, as scheduling allows.

I’ve seen “unmanned area parking system[s]” in Chicago. They’re easy to understand and effective. I would like to see the City get out of the parking-subsidy business before they lay off any more police officers or fire fighters. Subsidizing downtown parking is definitely not a necessity.

Peoria Public Schools

Wolfmeyer reelected board president

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Debbie “It’s-not-my-role-to-meet-with-my-constituents” Wolfmeyer was reelected president of the District 150 Board of Education at a special meeting on July 1. I haven’t seen this reported in the Journal Star, but I did see it reported on WEEK-TV and on the Peoria Story blog, which provided these details:

In a special meeting, Debbie Wolfmeyer was reelected president, with Linda Butler reelected vice president.

The vote was 4-3, with only Ross, Rachel Parker and Laura Petelle voting for Ross. The new board member, Chris Crawford, who was seated, voted for Wolfmeyer, along with Jim Stowell, Wolfmeyer and Butler.

You can read more reaction to the vote on Peoria Story.

In other District 150 news, I learned that June 30 was David Walvoord’s last day as legal counsel for the Board of Education. Also, board member David Gorenz has officially been succeeded by Chris Crawford as of July 1. Gorenz did not run for reelection.

Census 2010, City of Peoria, City of Washington

Washington sees tremendous population growth; east side of river booming

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The City of Washington (Illinois) outpaced the City of Peoria in population growth over the last decade not just in percentages, but in real numbers.

According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Washington has grown by 3,451 residents (from 10,841 to 14,292) between 2000 and 2009*, an increase of 31.83%. Peoria increased by 2,584 residents (from 112,936 to 115,520) — an increase of 2.29% — over the same period.

On a percentage basis, the largest population growth near Peoria is in Germantown Hills. The village grew by 1,121 residents (from 2,111 to 3,232) — a whopping 53.1%.

Other surrounding communities that saw population growth include Morton, Metamora, Eureka, East Peoria, and Dunlap. Several towns and villages lost population, including Bartonville, West Peoria, Pekin, Peoria Heights, and Canton. West Peoria and Peoria Heights lost the most residents percentage-wise in the immediate area: -5.63% and -5.38%, respectively.

Here’s a breakdown of population changes in several communities of interest, in alphabetical order:

You may notice that typically communities on the east side of the river fared better than communities on the west side. The county statistics bear that out. Peoria County grew by 2,383 residents, or 1.3%, between 2000 and 2009. But Tazewell County grew by 3,981 (3.1%) and Woodford County by 3,393 (9.57%). Combined, Tazewell and Woodford counties grew by 7,374 residents (4.5%), more than three times as much as Peoria county during the same time period.

* Note: In all calculations, I compare actual April 2000 U.S. Census Population Data to recently released June 2009 Population Estimates.

Peoria Journal Star

First in . . . whoops!

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According to this Journal Star story, this story is supposed to be First in Print:

Peoria’s population is likely going to be surpassed by Springfield and Joliet in totals once the 2010 U.S. Census figures are finalized next year. Still, Mayor Ardis says the city has done well to keep growing. LOCAL

But, what have we here? Why, the whole story is out on the web already! And it’s been out there since 8:42 p.m. Tuesday night. How long will it take for them to realize it?

Blogosphere

Blogger Bash tonight

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From the Peoria Pundit:

Blogger Bash [is] set for 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, at The Fieldhouse in Campustown, 1200 West Main St. Come as you are.

You don’t have to be a blogger to attend. If you read the blogs, whether you comment or not, you’re invited. Come hang out and get to know your friendly, neighborhood bloggers.