1/28/2008

River Trail Drive Alternative 3 Road, Housing, Islands

Draft Under Consideration. Next meeting at City Hall, 4th Floor, February 6, 2008 - Drop in any time between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm.


This alternative would construct a road through the park parallel to the railroad tracks from Water Street north to Spring Street, providing access and parking to the park and attractive vistas over the Illinois River and Lake. It would also create residential property between the railroad tracks and new road, providing new housing in the Heart of Peoria. It would add security to the park, with homeowners watching the park.

To replace the approximately 7 acres used for the road and park, 7 acres of new ecosystem restoration park would be added from River sediment. This plan proposes two islands, one for wildlife habitat and one for pedestrian access. The interior lagoons would provide improved fishing habitat.


More info at this group page address:

Green Edge Heart of Peoria

River Trail Drive Alternative 1 - Take No Action

This alternative would leave the park as it is presently configured.

1/25/2008

Economic Development 2007


Progress Report - Executive Summary

  • Assisted Firefly, Drumheller Bag, & Globe Energy
  • Developed and refined the Southern Gateway Plan
  • Developed the Warehouse District Plan and TIF
  • Developed the Eagle View Plan and TIF
  • Negotiated six TIF redevelopment agreements
  • Contacted 200 Business owners and developers for development
  • Developed Sheridan Road Business District
  • Began implementation for Prospect Road Revitalization
  • Created marketing blogs http://www.peoriaed.blogspot.com/
  • Led 77 Enterprise Zone projects which created 130 new jobs and $25M in investment
  • Continued Façade Improvement Programs
  • Helped the new Long Term Acute Care Hospital
  • Continued to market Renaissance Park and Warehouse District
  • Sold three city owned properties for development
  • Processed 6 Enterprise Zone expansions
  • Reduced economic development staff from 6 to 5 employees
  • Initiated the Walk to Work Program to attract homeowners
  • Initiated the Green Heart of Peoria Plan
  • Initiated River Trail Drive and Green Edge Plan
  • Loaned $480,000 from Business Development Loan Fund
  • Managed Pocket Park Grant (5 Parks Planned)
For more information, contact:

Economic Development City of Peoria
419 Fulton, Suite 403
Peoria, IL 61602
(309) 494-8640


1/24/2008

Water Street - Wines, Cafe & Coffees

Welcome to a great new business. "Water Street - Wines, Cafe, & Coffees at 100 State Street (Corner of State & Water St) opened up this week. A great place for coffee, a meal, or wine.

1/23/2008

Residential and Commercial Permits

The link below shows residential and commercial permits in the City of Peoria

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgp5tpcd_40fsrrd2db&btr=EmailImport

Hospitality Improvement Zone




The City Council Authorized City Staff to meet with downtown hotels and other property owners to investigate possible methods to assist downtown on January 22, 2008. The first meeting will be with the Peoria Civic Center on January 24, 2008

Background: The Peoria Civic Center has completed a major expansion. The Center now contains over 110,000 square feet of exhibit space, 27,000 square feet of meeting space, and 18,000 square feet of pre-function space.

In 2002, the Civic Center Authority hired Johnson Consulting to analyze the Center’s master plan. In the consultant’s experience and opinion, hotels physically attached to Convention Centers in northern climates are much more successful than hotels that are not attached. According to the study, downtown Peoria needs more hotel rooms, a view shared by the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Peoria Civic Center Authority indicates that a number of potential conventions have not selected Peoria because of the lack of an adequate number of rooms.

Improved downtown hotels are desirable to support the Civic Center, and to match the quality of hotels provided by our competitors. Improved civic, entertainment, restaurant, and retail services are needed.

In 2006 the Civic Center and the City retained HVS, a quality hospitality industry consultant. The study documented the need for more and better hotels to support the Civic Center. It also documented the fact that the downtown hotels continue to struggle, with relatively low occupancy. In 2007 a study by a Six Sigma Black Belt further examined the need for more hotel rooms to increase economic activity in the City Center.

Downtown Peoria faces competition from other conference and convention centers in the region. The addition of the Lincoln Museum has greatly enhanced Springfield’s attractiveness for conferences. Normal is completing a major new conference center and hotel with substantial governmental assistance. The Embassy Suites has opened in East Peoria, and received substantial TIF assistance. Tinley Park built their center with substantial governmental assistance, and are preparing a major expansion. Four new hotels are underway or planned near Grand Prairie without any assistance. These hotels are a welcome economic addition to the City, but will also further challenge downtown business.

The City of Peoria continues to search for ways to assist our downtown business compete with these new challenges. Possible ways to assist downtown business include the formation of a Hospitality Improvement Zone (HIZ), with these possible programs

Enterprise Zone (sales tax on materials & 5 year property tax abatement, already in place)

Historic Tax Credits for buildings older than 1936. (The year is a federal requirement)

Creation of a Tax Increment Financing (up to 23 year property tax incentive)

Business District Development and Redevelopment District (new sales or hotel tax)

Special voluntary HRA Tax to be used for capital improvements

Special Service Assessment for capital and infrastructure improvements

City or Civic Center supported capital expenditures

New Façade Improvement Program

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to meet with downtown business, citizens, and governments to investigate possible methods to help our downtown compete.

Financial Impact: None at present. There may be impact, depending on steps that the Council may choose to pursue after completion of the meetings.

NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Not known, but will be investigated as part of the meetings..

Impact if Approved: Staff will meet with representatives of downtown business and report back to the City Council.

Impact if Denied: No staff action will be taken.

Alternatives: None.

EEO Certification Number: N/A.

RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Downtown improvements are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

VISION: WE HAVE A HEALTHY, THRIVING ECONOMY.

GOAL: A. Provide an economic environment that supports existing and new businesses

More info on the HIZ (Hospitality Improvement Zone)

http://hospitalityimprovementzone.blogspot.com/

Links to Peoria Economic Development

Click on the Links Below for information about Economic Development in the City of Peoria, Illinois. We will maintain a list of our blogs, web pages, and group pages about Peoria Economic Development at:

http://www.peoriaed.blogspot.com/

Big Build Up

Buildings and Sites

Brochures

City Web Page

City Web Page - Econ Dev

Eagle View

Economic Development Council

Global Trade

Green Heart Of Peoria

Heart of Peoria Devevelopment Corporation

Incentives

Maps

Photos

Planning Articles

Renaissance Park

Tax Increment Financings (TIF)

Warehouse

1/21/2008

The map above depicts the five Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts in downtown Peoria. Most of the area is also in the Enterprise Zone. These powerful redevelopment tools are sometimes necessary to assist the redevleopment of older neighborhoods.

The Southtown TIF is shown in red. This older TIF helped completely redevelop what was once a very deteriorated area. A new TIF assisted medical clinic is under construction on Main Street. But for the TIF, this clinic would have been constructed in a suburban area.

The Warehouse District shown in yellow is the newest TIF. This TIF should help revitalize this area of old industrial lofts.

More information at:


Warehouse www.warehousedistrict.blogspot.com/

Brochures http://groups.google.com/group/peoria-economicdevelopmentbrochure

Buildings and Sites for Economic Development

Building and Sites for Economic Development in Peoria

Contact the City of Peoria Economic Development Department at 309 494 8640 or craighullinger@gmail.com for more information

1/19/2008

The Big Build Up - $2 Billion Investment


The Map illustrates the $2 Billion dollars of recent or planned investment in the City of Peoria. Click on the map to make it larger.

1/17/2008

Great Photos of Peoria, Illinois




These photos have been provided from many different sources, and some of them may be copyrighted, so please do not use them without getting permission from the original source.

Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB Zones)



HUB Zone is a US Small Business Administration program for companies that operate and employ people in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB Zones). The federal government is required to contract with HUB Zone certified small businesses; the annual goal is 3% for all federal agencies. Major companies such as CAT and John Deere, government prime contractors, have similar requirements.

Businesses will be designated as HUB Zone certified if they meet the following criteria:

1. The business must be a small business.
2. The business must be entirely owned by citizens of the United States.
3. The principal office for the corporation must be in a HUB Zone.
4. 35% of a company's staff including consultants must reside in a HUB Zone.

The map above shows the HUB Zone in the City of Peoria. It is generally the older part of the city in the Heart of Peoria.
The HUB zone provides a tremendous opportunity for new start up businesses that plan to sell services or products to the Federal Government or large corporations.

Contacts

Susan Gorman sgorman@icc.edu 309 495-5970 Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) @ Illinois Central College

Rachael Parker RParker@ci.peoria.il.us 309 494-8646 Peoria City Hall

Sally Hanley shanley@centralillinois.org 309 495-5953 Economic Development Council for Central IL

More info at: http://www.sba.gov/hubzone

"Green Edge" Planning Meetings


Two meetings have been set for the public to consider the potential "Green Edge" plan, where a new road and housing would be added to the Peoria River and Lakefront from north of the Riverplex to War Memorial Drive.

Environmental Groups Jan 23, 2008 Wednesday 5:00 pm Room 420 Twin Towers, 456 Fulton St.

Neighborhood drop in and discussions Feburary 6, 2008 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Room 404 of the City Hall 419 Fulton St.


The purpose of the meeetings are to discuss with Peoria citizens potential plans for the redevelopment of property along the Illinois River in the Heart of Peoria. The concept plans can be viewed further down on this blog and at:

http://groups.google.com/group/green-edge

or at the Economic Development office on the 4th floor of city hall

Rivers Edge Redelopment Initiative
Green Edge Plan
River Trail Drive Concept Plan, Alternatives 1, 2 3

Nothing is determined at this point. Citizen input will be important for the City to decide whether to take any action. Alternatives for the city owned property between the Riverplex and Spring Street developed to date include.

1. Take no action - leave Riverfront as is

2. Add a River Trail Drive to improve access and views of the River and Park

3. Add a River Trail Drive with housing on the side away from the River and Park, protecting views and improving access, and assisting in the redevelopment of the Heart of Peoria. Develop new park land to replace the land used for the development as shown on Alt 3.

The Green Edge Plan covers the area above, plus all the way north to War Memorial Drive. This plan has been submitted to the City Planning Commission and Department for consideration for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan.
______________________________________________

Green Edge - Potential Plan

The proposed Green Edge Plan for Peoria envisions a gradual conversion of the existing industrial edge along the River to green park space and new urban development. The City has created a great Riverfront Park in downtown. This park system could be extended north and south where feasible. A road could be extended along this park, with new residential development on the side away from the River. The River side would be kept clear of development, providing access and views of the park and River.

This is only a proposal at this time, and has not been fully considered or acted on by the City or Park District. These preliminary concepts are presented to the public for their review and input. Your thoughts and concerns can be made to Craig Hullinger at Hullingerc@gmail.com , or 309 494-8639.

More information at:

http://greenpeoria.blogspot.com/

Check Out Zillow.com and Peoriagis.com

This great little program gives you aerial photos and estimated home values all over the US. The prices are of course frequently off, but still a great tool.

http://www.zillow.com

And our own Peoria GIS is another great tool to look at property, aerial photos, topography, etc

www.peoriagis.com

And the price for the use of both systems is right - Free. SUCH A DEAL!!

1/15/2008

Down Payment Assistance Program

The City of Peoria hopes to increase home ownership in order to promote neighborhood pride by offering down payment assistance for lower income first time home buyers.

The Down Payment Assistance Program offers to eligible applicants:

$10,000 or 20% of the purchase price of the home, which ever is less, minus $295 for Post Homebuyer Counseling.

Purchased homes must be single family detached located in the City of Peoria.

Assistance is made as a 0% interest, five year forgivable loan.

The loan has no monthly payments.

Household income eligibility is based on HUD determined area income limits.

The selected home must pass a City of Peoria inspection.

There can not be any pealing, cracked, flaking or deteriorated paint anywhere on the property.

Applications are available:

- At the Planning & Growth Management Department, Twin Towers Building, 456
Fulton Street, Suite 402 between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

- On the web at www.ci.peoria.il.us or

- By calling 309-494-8616.

Funding is provided on a first come, first serve basis, based on when a complete application is received.

* Down Payment funds are provided by the Illinois Housing Development Authority

1/10/2008

Heart of Peoria Development Corporation


City Economic Development Staff are proposing that the private sector start a Heart of Peoria Development Corporation. The Corporation could be a vehicle for non real estate developers to become part of the rebuilding of the Heart of Peoria.

More information at:

Heart of Peoria Development Corporation
Warehouse District
http://www.Peoriadevelopment.com
http://www.renaissanceparkpeoria.com

Hospitality Improvement Zone (HIZ)


City Council Agenda Date Requested: January 22, 2008

Action Requested: AUTHORIZE CITY STAFF TO MEET WITH DOWNTOWN HOTELS AND OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS TO INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE METHODS TO ASSIST DOWNTOWN.

Background: The Peoria Civic Center has completed a major expansion. The Center now contains over 110,000 square feet of exhibit space, 27,000 square feet of meeting space, and 18,000 square feet of pre-function space.

In 2002, the Civic Center Authority hired Johnson Consulting to analyze the Center’s master plan. In the consultant’s experience and opinion, hotels physically attached to Convention Centers in northern climates are much more successful than hotels that are not attached. According to the study, downtown Peoria needs more hotel rooms, a view shared by the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Peoria Civic Center Authority indicates that a number of potential conventions have not selected Peoria because of the lack of an adequate number of rooms.

Improved downtown hotels are desirable to support the Civic Center, and to match the quality of hotels provided by our competitors. Improved civic, entertainment, restaurant, and retail services are needed.

In 2006 the Civic Center and the City retained HVS, a quality hospitality industry consultant. The study documented the need for more and better hotels to support the Civic Center. It also documented the fact that the downtown hotels continue to struggle, with relatively low occupancy. In 2007 a study by a Six Sigma Black Belt further examined the need for more hotel rooms to increase economic activity in the City Center.

Downtown Peoria faces competition from other conference and convention centers in the regioin. The addition of the Lincoln Museum has greatly enhanced Springfield’s attractiveness for conferences. Normal is completing a major new conference center and hotel with substantial governmental assistance. The Embassy Suites has opened in East Peoria, and received substantial TIF assistance. Tinley Park built their center with substantial governmental assistance, and are preparing a major expansion. Four new hotels are underway or planned near Grand Prairie without any assistance. These hotels are a welcome economic addition to the City, but will also further challenge downtown business.

The City of Peoria continues to search for ways to assist our downtown business compete with these new challenges. Possible ways to assist downtown business include the formation of a Hospitality Improvement Zone (HIZ), with these possible programs

Enterprise Zone (sales tax on materials & 5 year property tax abatement, already in place)

Historic Tax Credits for buildings older than 1936. (The year is a federal requirement)

Creation of a Tax Increment Financing (up to 23 year property tax incentive)

Business District Development and Redevelopment District (new sales or hotel tax)

Special voluntary HRA Tax to be used for capital improvements

Special Service Assessment for capital and infrastructure improvements

City or Civic Center supported capital expenditures

New Façade Improvement Program

RECOMMENDATION: Authorize staff to meet with downtown business, citizens, and governments to investigate possible methods to help our downtown compete.

Financial Impact: None at present. There may be impact, depending on steps that the Council may choose to pursue after completion of the meetings.

NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Not known, but will be investigated as part of the meetings..

Impact if Approved: Staff will meet with representatives of downtown business and report back to the City Council.

Impact if Denied: No staff action will be taken.

Alternatives: None.

EEO Certification Number: N/A.

RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Downtown improvements are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

VISION: WE HAVE A HEALTHY, THRIVING ECONOMY.

GOAL: A. Provide an economic environment that supports existing and new businesses

Business Development Fund


The Business Development Fund has been very successful. Over the past 12 months we have loaned $400,000.00 to help business locate or expand in the City of Peoria.

For more information contact Rachael Parker at 309 494 8640.

More info at:

http://www.peoriaincentives.blogspot.com/

Renaissance Park

Great historic homes for rent at http://zerlaproperties.com

More info on Renaissance Park at http://www.renaissanceparkpeoria.com/

"Green" Heart of Peoria - First Draft


First Draft Dec 13 - Please send your thoughts and improvements to Craighullinger@gmail.com

Green Heart of Peoria
Improve and Enhance our Environment
Live Close to Downtown and The River
Conserve and Revitalize our Neighborhoods
Encourage Sustainable Development
Save Time and Energy

Historic cities are inherently "Green". They were originally developed on transit systems and built at high density. Trips to work, shopping, and schools were made by walking or via a short streetcar ride. Historic communities were energy efficient.

Modern American urban development is auto oriented, with large homes on large lots distant from destinations. Modern suburban development is built at low density. Long auto trips use a great deal of energy.

But our historic areas have "hollowed out". Most downtowns have little retail, and a great deal of near in housing has been demolished.

The following are potential improvements to "Green" the Heart of Peoria:

The City will encourage developers create new green housing

Energy efficiency in new and existing homes are encouraged

Mixed use development will be emphasized

Walkability of the city will be encouraged

Energy efficient buildings will be strongly supported

Sedimentation & erosion controls will be enforced

The environment of the River's edge will be enhanced

Bike trails & racks will be emphasized

Transit will be maintained

Trees and natural landscaping will be planted

Renewable energy sources will be sought

Recycling will be supported

Air and water quality will be improved

More info at:

http://greenpeoria.blogspot.com

http://groups.google.com/group/green-edge

City of Peoria Economic Development Links

Click on the links below for more information about Peoria Economic Development

City of Peoria
Renaissance Park
Warehouse District
Maps on Peoria Economic Development
Photos

River's Edge Redevelopment Iniative



River Front Park Alternative 1

This alternative would leave the park as it is presently configured.

River Trail Drive Alternative 2

This alternative would construct a road through the park parallel and next to the railroad tracks from Water Street north to Spring Street, providing access to and parking for the park, and attractive vistas over the Illinois River and Lake.

River Trail Drive Alternative 3

This alternative would construct a road through the park parallel to the railroad tracks from Water Street north to Spring Street, providing access and parking to the park and attractive vistas over the Illinois River and Lake. It would also create residential property between the railroad tracks and new road, providing new housing in the Heart of Peoria. It would add security to the park, with homeowners watching the park.

To replace the approximately 7 acres used for the road and park, 7 acres of new ecosystem restoration park would be added from River sediment. This plan proposes two islands, one for wildlife habitat and one for pedestrian access. The interior lagoons would provide improved fishing habitat.

More info at this group page address:

Green Edge Heart of Peoria

Potential Green Edge Plan


The potential Green Edge Plan for Peoria envisions a gradual conversion rivers edge of the Illinois River to green park space and new urban development. The City has created a great Riverfront Park in downtown. This park system could be extended north and south where possible. A road could be extended along this park, with new residential development on the side away from the River, eventually connecting to Grand View Drive at the north end. The River side would be kept clear of development, providing access and views of the park and river and lake..

More info at this group page address:

Green Edge Heart of Peoria

This is only a proposal at this time, and has not been fully considered or acted on by the City or Park District. We will present these preliminary concepts to the public for their review and input at a number of public meetings. Your thoughts and concerns can be made to Craig Hullinger at Hullingerc@gmail.com, or 309 494-8639.

Warehouse District

The area just south of downtown Peoira is a mix of old industrial lofts, one story industrial buildings, and vacant lots. This area will become a vibrant mixed - use residential and commercial neighborhood. Some of the old industrial lofts will become condominiums similar to the successful development of the buildings on Water Street. The street level space can become viable commercial and retail space.

The conversion of this area to a great urban neighborhood will take place as a result of market demand and the strong incentives the City has created. The area is in a TIF and Enterprise Zone. The City will use 50% of new property taxes generated for City improvements, and 50% allocated to developers to finance environmental clean up, public safety improvements, and rehabilitation to uses permitted in the new Form Based Code. This will lead to very rapid redevelopment. The incentive would be for buildings started in the first five years – after that taxes from new buildings would flow directly to the taxing bodies.

More detailed information on the Group Page Below
http://groups.google.com/group/economic-development-city-of-peoria

“Just Outside Chicago, There’s a Place Called Illinois”

Move your business and home to downstate

“Just outside Chicago, there’s a place called Illinois.” The State of Illinois developed this catchy slogan for it’s tourism marketing program to encourage Chicago-area residents to visit the Illinois south and west of Chicago, instead of visiting Wisconsin and Michigan. The strategy aimed to keep tourism and the dollars it generates in Illinois.

The strategy need not stop at tourism, though. Communities in downstate Illinois should employ a similar strategy when attracting businesses and economic development. Outside of the Chicago metropolitan area, the cost of home ownership and renting is tremendously cheaper. The cost of doing business is also much less. Congestion, often cited as a quality-of-life issue, is virtually non-existent: “rush hour” in smaller communities is often the “rush minute”.

Demographic trends indicate that the problem is only going to get worse in Northeast Illinois. Of Illinois’ population of 12 million people, 8 million citizens live in or around Chicago. By 2030, Illinois is projected to grow over 15%, but of the 2 million more people living here, most will be living in or near metro Chicago.

While growth is encouraging, it also comes with associated costs. Both Chicago and Illinois would be better off if some of the projected growth occurred in other Illinois communities. The addition of two million more people to the Chicago area will create more traffic congestion and air pollution. This will require increased capital expenditure at the federal, state and local levels as the transportation, protective and educational infrastructures swell to accommodate this growth. The increase in taxes need to manage this growth is rarely appreciated by citizens.

Illinois communities outside of Chicagoland could accommodate and welcome this growth. Many communities are at best experiencing moderate growth, while many more are losing population. These smaller communities often have housing stock, roads, schools, and other infrastructure that have capacity sufficient to the task.

This potential is illustrated by comparing two large metropolitan areas in Illinois. The moderately-growing Peoria metropolitan area is the second largest metro area in Illinois. However, as the following table demonstrates, there are significant advantages to locating or relocating “downstate”:


Chicago Peoria
Median Home Price[1]
$ 274,700 $ 114,900

Average Commute Time (2000)[2]


35 minutes 20 minutes

“Cost of Doing Business” Rank[3]


90th 47th

Cost of Living Index Composite[4]


103.9 96.9
Student-Teacher Ratio[5]

16.40 14.40

Relocating Businesses and Employees Downstate

More and more people are controlling their own job location. The Internet permits more people to work remotely. Telecommuting allows mobile professionals to flee large, congested metro areas and work and live in a pleasant environment. Free lance writers, advertising executives, entrepreneurs, artists, computer experts and even salespeople are typical of employees who often have control of their work location. Jack Manahan is a perfect example. Manahan left the Chicago suburbs for Peoria. As a home-based computer consultant to government, he simply drives 10 minutes to the airport when he needs to visit a client. "I saved half the cost of my auto insurance and got a much nicer home in Peoria when I left Chicago. And the rush hour is much less than in Chicago. Peoria is a pleasant place to live and work, without the hassle of a really big city. "

Long gone is the requirement for manufacturers, agencies, sales forces and consulting companies to be located in a large metropolitan area. In fact, the cost of doing so might well outweigh the benefits. The same connectivity that permits telecommuting allows business leaders the flexibility to move their entire company to smaller, more attractive communities where both the quality of life and the cost of doing business are better. The marketplace is no longer local – it is global and requires little more than a strong technology and transportation infrastructure. This trend is accelerating and will likely continue to be popular, especially as congestion increases.

Attracting a Retiree Migration South

Moving to a downstate community can also be an excellent retirement strategy. Retirees can achieve substantial savings from the sale of their homes. With Chicago’s real estate market rocketing skyward, retirees can often turn the sale of one home into the purchase of two: A home in a moderately-sized downstate community that offers proximity to family and friends and offers all the amenities of city life, and possibly a second home for the winter months in the Sun Belt. This move is especially appealing to those individuals who grew up downstate but moved to larger metropolitan areas for work reasons.

One budding strategy in attracting retirees is to build housing communities in conjunction with universities and colleges. The housing can be privately developed, with alumni and faculty targeted as purchasers. The partnership is a win-win situation: Alumni bring a love of the institution and serve as natural source of volunteers, donors, event boosters and even students in continuing education. The city gets more homeowners and consumers in the local economy, but does not need to concern itself with these new citizens taking high-paying jobs or additionally taxing the local public school system.


Craig Harlan Hullinger, AICP, is the Economic Development Director for the City of Peoria. Craig has a BA Degree in Public Administration, a Master s Degree in Environmental Planning. Contact him at (309) 494-8639 or chullinger@ci.peoria.il.us.

Christopher Setti is an Economic Development Specialist with the Economic Development Department of the City of Peoria. Chris has a BA in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Contact him at (309) 494-8618 or csetti@ci.peoria.il.us.

[1] National Association of Realtors: http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/nar_3q05/price.html#table
[2] Arbitron “Average Travel Time to Work Comparison.” www.arbitron.com/outdoor_companies/travel_result.asp
[3] Forbes Magazine, “Best Places for Business and Careers.” May 5, 2005.
[4] ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 2nd Quarter 2005
[5] www.money.cnn.com. “Best Places to Live 2005.”