I’m sure you already know this, but here’s the link in case you haven’t seen it yet. Of particular local interest are the following:
- Washington Street in Peoria, Illinois: $1.0 million
The funding would be used to create safer pedestrian routes and a more livable community in order to spur economic development in a former warehouse district in Peoria. I certify that I have no financial interest in this project.
The entity to receive funding for this project is City of Peoria, located at 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, IL 61602.
- Sheridan Triangle Business District in Peoria, Illinois: $1.0 million
The funding would be used to create safer pedestrian routes and more urban-friendly roads in order to spur economic development in one of the older business districts in Peoria.
The entity to receive funding for this project is City of Peoria, located at 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, IL 61602.
- Purchase fixed route buses and paratransit vans for Peoria, Illinois: $2.0 million
The funding would be used to purchase seven buses and two paratransit vans.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, 2105 N.E. Jefferson Ave., Peoria, IL 61603.
- Peoria Park District Building Construction: $1.4 million
For planning, design, renovation, and construction of new office buildings including renovations to meet current life safety codes and ADA accessibility.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the Peoria Park District, located at 2218 N. Prospect, Peoria, 61603.
- Grandview Drive in Peoria, Illinois: $1.8 million
The funding would be used to protect Grandview Drive in Peoria, Illinois from becoming structurally instable due to erosion.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the Peoria Park District, located at 2218 N. Prospect Road, Peoria, Illinois 61603.
- Keller Branch Trail in Peoria, Illinois: $1.8 million
The funding would be used to construct a bike trail in Peoria, Illinois.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the Peoria Park District, located at 2218 N. Prospect Road, Peoria, Illinois 61603.
- Lakeview Museum Construction: $500,000
To plan and construct a new building
The entity to receive funding for this project is Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, located at 1125 W. Lake Avenue, Peoria, IL, 61614.
- Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, Illinois: $750,000
The funding would be used to design and install sustainable design/green architecture aspects in a new museum facility. This would include energy-efficient mechanical systems, recycled materials, energy-use monitoring equipment, a water-filtering bioswale, bicycle racks and a hands-on computer kiosk that helps visitors understand building energy use and green design.
The entity to receive funding for this project is Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, 1125 W. Lake Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.
- Glen Oak Park Open Space Acquisition: $1.2 million
For land appraisal, platting, demolition and acquisition to provide open public access to the park.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the Peoria Park District, located at 2218 N. Prospect, Peoria, 61603.
- Bel-Wood Nursing Home: $1 million
For life safety improvements, upgrading the fire sprinkler system at Bel-Wood Nursing Home, ensuring the safety of the residents’ families.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the County of Peoria, IL, located at 324 Main Street, Room 502, Peoria, IL, 61602.
- County of Peoria: $200,000
The funding will be used to assist in the replacement or major renovation of the Bel-Wood Nursing Home.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the County of Peoria, located at 324 Main Street, Room 502, Peoria, Illinois, 61602.
- University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria: $1.5 million
The funding will be used to finance the construction of a cancer research facility.
The entity to receive this funding is the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, located at One Illini Drive, Peoria, 61605.
- OSF Healthcare System: $100,000
The funding will be used for the implementation of electronic health record technology.
The entity to receive this funding is OSF Healthcare System, located at 800 NE Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61603.
- Institute for Principled Leadership-Bradley University: $100,000
The funding will be used to provide educational access to students and community residents through the Peoria Full Service Community Schools Initiative.
The entity to receive funding for this project is the Institute for Principled Leadership of Bradley University located at 1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61625.
- Replace a sewer system in Peoria, Illinois: $3.45 million
The funding would be used to replace an out-of-date sewer line.
The entity to receive funding for this project is City of Peoria, located at 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, IL 61602.
- Manufacturing Lab for Next Generation Engineers at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois: $2 million
The funding would be used to construct a laboratory to discover innovative and creative manufacturing techniques and teach these techniques to engineers so they can be competitive in a global economy.
The entity to receive funding for this project is Bradley University, 1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Peoria, IL 61625.
- Peoria Mental Health Court: $500,000
To alleviate the overcrowded jail system by diverting mentally ill offenders into the help they need.
The entity to receive funding for this project is Peoria County, 324 Main St., Room 502, Peoria, IL, 61602.
Government will tax and take over more and more of our lifes through good intentions. It is hard to argue with the good intentions involved I am just not sure if tax money shoud be used. After all why should a taxpayer in Georgia have to fund the Kellar Branch or vice versa? Remember if you take into account all the other projects across the US what we get here in CI is most likely crumbs.
Sounds like a whole lot of pork to me…
Oh wait, I live in Peoria, these are all good investments that we’ve been talking about for ages, and our elected representative is doing his job getting funding for these important projects. I live downtown and I do walk along Washington Street from time to time, I can vouch it could use an improvement or two.
Pork is a matter of proximity.
How long until some pundit turns the cost of the Block (or any of these projects) into a case against pork, the same way John McCain ripped the Adler Planetarium projector during the presidential race? $100,000 to a private hospital would then become the first step on a slippery slope to public health care, and so on and so forth.
Since the Block vote didn’t turn out the way I wanted, I guess I can shift my focus back to blocking the removal of the Keller Branch.
What is the Glen Oak Park open space acquisition? Next phase of the Zoo expansion?
My guess on Glen Oak: Enough money to purchase those homes from the School District.
Washington Street: What is really needed is repaving and first replace the water main so we don’t have continuing breaks and pavement collapses. Kellar Branch Trail: The railroads are not going away, so how will the PPD spend this money? If it isn’t for putting a trail next to the rail then forget about it. In fact just forget about it anyway and spend the money on a really needed public project like repairing sidewalks.
I concur with Ed…what part of no doesn’t Aaron Shock, the Peoria Park District and trail proponents understand? I know, I know, the STB’s November 19, 2007 ruling against the Cities is viewed as “anti-democratic,” so they can continue to work for a “solution.” Support for removal of the Kellar Branch to make room for trail construction is frustrating to endure from an otherwise excellent congressman. Sigh.
If you disagree with one of Schock’s appropriation requests, you can contact him. From his website:
http://schock.house.gov/contact/index.shtml
Contact My Office:
I am here to serve the residents of the 18th Congressional District, and so is my staff.
We can be reached at (202) 225-6201
509 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Forgive my ignorance, but hasn’t this money already been taken out of the public dole? In other words, isn’t it now just a big money grab, and if so, wouldn’t it be his responsibility to grab as much of it for his district as he can? Not making a statement… just trying to understand…
Sud: Good guess — perhaps the answer or part of the answer.
My guess — $ for the PPD to purchase the remaining properties not owned by D150 so the PPD can take more property off the tax rolls. That means taxpayers get to pay more per residential/commercial property to make up the new shortfall.
Then D150 and PPD can possibly do a land swap or some type of combo deal. Voila — new owner of properties would be PPD and voila a new entrance for the zoo.
Another quality of life issue while our streets crumble.
Diane: Great idea! 🙂 I completed the online request / registration for an appointment with Rep. Schock. I am eagerly awaiting my appointment date from Rep. Schock’s office.
I really do not like the grabbing concept at all. If we are going to grab, let’s grab the money for essential services which are the most pressing quality of life issues.
Make sure he realizes in advance he’ll need an entire afternoon. 😉
I am not sure how I feel about Federal dollars going to fund all these projects, but I think Aaron created a fair list of issues that need to be finished, improved, etc. . . around the area, since it seemed a foregone conclusion that such a fund was going to be happen.
I am glad to see dollars appropriated to clean up the Prospect land purchase fiasco. Perhaps the District can recoup some of its dollars. It is time to move on.
Getting the money is one thing…..
WHO IS GOING TO SPEND IT AND FOR WHAT…IS ANOTHER.
I think our tax dollars should be distributed fairly among all citizens of this great land. Is the Kellar Branch or the Institute for Principled Leadership really among these greatest needs? I sincerely doubt it. Not that they are unworthy of support, but if citizen taxpayers step back and look at all the worthwhile causes in this nation I doubt these would rise to the top. The dollars should be distributed where the greatest needs exist.
The greatest needs, in my view, involve educating and providing health services for those who are at the greatest risk for not being able to access these services.
god help us
“distributed fairly” is a loaded term. Somehow, I believe not everyone will agree with what you determine to be “fair”.
As a person who sits on the board of Dirs of Heartland clinic , i have seen were money as gone and when Congressman Schock was a St rep. He helped the clinic. Our lawmakers do a lot for the community and beyond . They hear us .All dollars go for great needs, its just how inportant YOU feel the need is. Everybody has a issue,health services is and should be helped to educate the people [as Heartland does]. I have been on the board for about 7 yrs. and i have seen our lawmakers [all of them] really work, care and deliver for the community , and Congressman Schock has been a strong fighter for all.
Some creative and enterprising person or group could create a website or web portal for Peoria and Peoria County to track spending. Here is an example from New York…
http://www.seethroughny.net/
Lakeview Museum Construction: $500,000
Doesn’t he know museums cost a lot more than that? That sounds like a reimbursement for advertising costs for BTB.
Nothing for the south side of Peoria? Why?
Is the Kellar Branch or the Institute for Principled Leadership really among these greatest needs?
Tulip- re: the institute for Principled leadership – I couldn’t agree with you more! Principles, along with honesty and integrity, are not something you learn in a class room. By the time one achieves elected office, they’ve either got ’em, or they don’t.
kcdad: The museum group already shared at various town hall meetings that it was ‘responsible’ of their group to obtain more federal and state dollars to close the ‘private’ $10.1M funding gap. Perhaps they are just trying to achieve their new goal?
DARNEL: ‘cuz Aaron represents an “urban district” and the black folk luv him.
“Principles, along with honesty and integrity, are not something you learn in a class room.”
Certainly not in a business or law classroom. Other than that I disagree with you. Where else does one learn them?
from your parents.
Oh! Of course. I agree. My parents would be a great place to learn those things…although I don’t know about yours or someone else’s…
Why would Lakeview need a new building when they refused to build their unneeded museum on the property in the first place?
Maybe they should sell the entire parcel of land (Lakeview), allowing for a “new urbanism” styled development to occur which would add to property tax revenue instead of taking away.
mdd, that’s a great idea except they don’t own the land where Lakeview museum is at currently. It is owned by the Peoria Park District.
As for the money for a new building for Lakeview it doesn’t say it will be a new building at the old site or downtown at the new site. So perhaps this is some of the gap funding they were looking for to fill in for the private funding that they have not achieved as yet.
Lakeview really doesn’t ‘own’ the Sears Block land either……………….
OK, so the PPD should do a land swap (since they cannot sell land, if I recall that correctly) with some other entity and then that huge parcel could be developed into a proper “new urbanism” style development.
Since the PPD effectively does nothing with the Lakeview property now, other than having the library and Lakeview Museum on it, why not do something really constructive for the city as a whole? Look at how many acres are sitting there, totally unused!
Lakeview and the library could easily move into, say… the old Cohen’s in Sheridan Village. More space and more parking….
Just throwing out ideas.
Just guessing… Could the Lakeview money be for building or a climate controlled site away from riverfront facility to house and preserve delicate collections and other materials not on display?
I hadn’t heard much about what the plan is for off site storage, but I think it may incorporate those high security doors shown at the beginning of every ‘Get Smart’ episode.
-Scott
The current plan is for the PPD to move their offices into the current Lakeview building. I agree with MDD, I wish something better could be done with all that land. Seems like a waste of precious space.
As Shay stated, I believe that we were told at the West Peoria Residents’ Meeting that the old Lakeview will be used for off-site storage. How much space is needed for storage?
When I worked at Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, There was enough collections to easily fill another entire museum completely.
For example, they had a real stuffed animal of every type of animal, every type of bird of prey, mammal, some endangered examples. There were shelves and shelves that went on forever. It would probably have filled the old East Peoria Shop-Ko store.
It was amazing to me how much stuff never got rotated out and displayed to the public. It was like the museum folks would pick out a few things, put them on pedestals with tons of empty space in the exhibit halls. with Then they’d mark on clipboard how people flowed through the exhibit, what paths they took, where and how long they paused…
This thing had better be huge, because, over the next 50 years, no one has any idea of of the volume of what people might donate.
Could we even see some of the Wheels of Time items showcased or loaned to Riverfront Museum?
Shay,
You are going to find the same problems with the supposed new museum. Lakeview and the rest of the collaborative partners have a ton of stuff. The problem is they have no idea what to do with it, or how to properly maintain it. More than enough of Peoria’s history has slipped through the fingers of Lakeview and friends. There is not one historian or conservation expert among them. These are the people who are going to be the ‘stewards’ of Peoria’s past.
Makes me sick.
Sharon: The museum group shared that the current Lakeview storage is 5,000 square feet.
New Voice: You have hinted a number of times that Lakeview Museum and the Peoria Historical Society are poor stewards of “stuff.” Instead of hinting, why don’t you give some specifics. Sounds like hearsay to me!
New Voice: You bring up something I’m curious about.
Is there a budget to corral and preserve this hodge podge of Peoria history? Remember that huge,and I mean huge, painting I think was mentioned years ago in PJStar hanging in Richard’s on Main? I wonder who’s gonna trace all this crap down?
Not having familiarity with the Lakeview books, lemme ask, “Are there funds allocated to this task?”
Sounds like another job for Sheldon. He’s a real idea guy. I’m not real close to the situation, but I would feel comfortable if they gave him a little more weight in all this.
shay,
Lakeview and Company may or may not have a ‘budget’ when it comes to running down Peoria’s history. They may be using part of the old Lakeview building for storage, or they might even be ‘renting’ space somewhere else. Of course, Lakeview has NEVER been very clear about anything. Why should this be any different?
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phill,
This was just one incident, not so long ago, that did very little to restore the public’s confidence in PHS. I have taken several tours of both houses. You don’t have to be a genius to recognize the mess there. Tell me this phill, since YOU are obviously in-the-know, outside of a little science and a few Tiffany Lamp exhibits, just what kind of area history has Lakeview EVER been apart of?
Theft at Peoria Historical Society
Published by C. J. Summers under Peoria Historical Society
Diane Vespa reports that $13,000 is believed to have been stolen by a new employee who is also missing.
According to the letter, a police report has been filed and an investigation is underway. The Historical Society fears they may not be able to recoup the majority of these funds. In the interim, they have changed locks, passwords and security codes and cancelled credit cards and accounts and filed claims.
They may not get the money, but hopefully they’ll get the person who stole it and put him or her behind bars for a few years. Why would someone steal from the historical society? What an idiot.
UPDATE: Comments have been turned off. Please go to Diane’s blog to comment since she’s the one who broke the story. Thanks.
NV – and if a woman gets raped I suppose she asked for it according to your logic.
Anonymous,
Don’t be an idiot, however……
If a woman walks down a dark alley, all alone, in the middle of the worst part of town, etc……. I am not saying she asked for it, but one has to question her…….
common sense?
Shay mentioned a picture hanging in a downtown bar. I think Phil Luciano wrote an article on a picture hanging in a bar somewhere. I am researching that.