The Warehouse District

More info at

http://warehousedistrict.blogspot.com/

Sustainable Development Plan - City of Decatur

The City of Decatur recently completed their Sustainable Development Plan


http://www.teskaassociates.com/sustainabledecatur/

Articles on Planning and Economic Development

Some of the Articles that we have written over the years 

on Planning and Economic Development

http://planningarticles.blogspot.com/

InterBusiness Issue

Get an the latest update on Peoria area development projects in the July issue!

http://www.peoriamagazines.com/

Illinois Worst Fiscal Condition in America

It’s no secret that Illinois, like the rest of America, has been suffering in this economy. It also has the dubious distinction of probably being in the worst fiscal shape in America.


Read more on the Urbanophile at:


http://www.urbanophile.com/2010/07/25/chicagos-structural-advantages-and-professional-services-2-0/


http://www.urbanophile.com/

Video Family History

Making family videos and publishing them on the web is a nice way to let the world know about your family history.

I posted some of my families video history on my mother's blog at:

http://louisehullinger.blogspot.com/

And on my fathers  World War II blogs:

http://hullingerwwii.blogspot.com/

http://109thengineers34thdivision.blogspot.com/

Producing and posting family video is a great new and growing business.  

My thanks to Gloria Stanfield for the outstanding job she did on posting our videos

  www.wedvid1.com

Central Illinois Perspective

News Intellihot, a Peoria NEXT Innovation Center tenant, will be featured in an upcoming reality TV show highlighting the best startups outside of Silicon Valley. Technology guru Bob Cringley launched an online contest to identify the top 24 startup companies from around the nation in six different categories, and Intellihot made the final cut, beating out nearly 400 other nominations. Cringley’s caravan will pull into Peoria today, and television cameras will capture it all as they get to know Intellihot founders Sridhar Deivasigamani and Sivaprasad Akasam, the company and the Peoria area. Nominations for the 17th annual 40 Leaders Under Forty awards celebration will be accepted beginning August 1st. Visit peoriamagazines.com for more information. At 8pm next Thursday, July 29th, WTVP will air the first of several programs called “Medical Innovations,” which highlight revolutionary medical advances in central Illinois. With the assistance of OSF Saint Francis Heart Hospital, HeartCare Midwest and the Illinois State Society of Radiologic Technologists, WTVP will take you inside the operating room for the actual implantation of a newly-designed stent. Vascular surgeons Nabeel Rana, M.D., Syed Hussain, M.D. and Jennifer Ash, M.D. will discuss the innovative operation and resulting benefits. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, the W.D. Boyce Council will host “Over the Edge for ScoutREACH” from 8am to 5pm this Friday. About 100 individuals, including Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis and Congressman Aaron Schock, will rappel down the side of the Civic Center Plaza. The public is invited to come down, support participants and take part in live entertainment and activities. Proceeds will benefit the ScoutREACH program of the W.D. Boyce Council. For more information, call (309) 673-6136 or visit overtheedgepeoria.com. RLI Corp. reported second quarter 2010 operating earnings of $32.2 million ($1.52 per share) compared to $28.7 million ($1.32 per share) for the same period in 2009. This Saturday from noon to 4pm, spend the day at Grady’s Fun Park in Bloomington—50 percent of sales for the day will be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Illinois. Grady’s is located at 1501 Morrissey Drive in Bloomington. Cost is $20 for unlimited attractions; call (309) 662-3332 for more information.   Events Wednesday, July 21st @ Two25 Two25 will host a Tequila Dinner with Sonia Sotello, Tequila Ambassador for Diageo Corporation, USA. Tequila tastings and cocktails will accompany a five-course dinner. To RSVP, call 282-7777 or email jill@two25peoria.com. Thursday, July 22nd @ OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Join the Peoria Area and East Peoria chambers of commerce from 5 to 7pm for Business After Hours. Take a private tour of the new OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois—the last public event before patients are seen in the new building. Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres from Cracked Pepper Catering and the chance to win door prizes. There is no charge for Chamber members/$25 for non-members. Thursday, July 22nd to Sunday, July 25th @ Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino presents Legends in Concert, the world’s greatest live tribute show, this weekend. Five shows will feature celebrity impersonators portraying Garth Brooks, Tom Jones, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Tri-County Urban League, George Washington Carver Center and the Boys and Girls Clubs. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $10, and can be purchased by visiting Par-A-Dice Hotel’s front desk or calling 698-6083. Visit paradicecasino.com and click “entertainment” for more information. Friday, July 23rd to Sunday, July 25th @ Peoria International Airport The General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport welcomes back the 2010 Prairie Air Show this weekend. Each day will feature demonstrations by the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, with a special show for the USO Friday night, complete with exclusive performances, a fireworks display, pyrotechnics, smoke ring aerobatics and live music. The Friday festival begins at 5:30pm and the air show begins at dusk. Gates will open at 8am and close at 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visitprairieair.com. Sunday, July 25th @ Junction City The Paws for a Cause Dog Show, sponsored by the nonprofit Paws Giving Independence, will take place at Junction City from noon to 4pm. An informal dog show will be held; any dog owner is eligible to enter his or her pet. Registration is $10 per dog. View the categories and register your dog online at givingindependence.org. Sunday, July 25th @ Wildlife Prairie State Park The second Project Pack the Place event, sponsored by PNC, will take place on Sunday, with tickets available for $12 each for blocks of 10-24 or $10 each for blocks of 25 or more. Ticket purchase includes park admission, t-shirt, daily animal programs and special discounts. Reserve tickets online at wildlifeprairiestatepark.org or call 676-0998. Sunday, July 25th @ Kickapoo Creek Winery Enjoy the vineyards, engage in wine tasting and relax to the beat of local musicians at an afternoon summer concert at the winery in Edwards. The concert takes place from noon to 5pm. Bands include West MacQueen Street Band, Pink Sushi and the Bonnie Douglas Duo. Admission is $10/person, with proceeds benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Central Illinois Chapter. For more information, call 681-1100. Monday, July 26th @ Five Points Washington The Peoria Pops Orchestra will present a “Tribute to Great American Composers” at a concert at 7pm at the Five Points Washington Caterpillar Performing Arts Center. The evening will feature a line-up of songs and medleys from some of our country’s greatest composers: Gershwin, Copeland, Mancini, Berlin, Bernstein and more. Tickets are $15/adults and $12/seniors and students; purchase online at fivepointswashington.org. For more information, call 694-4190

Look What is Playing in Peoria

Friends of the Arts,

Listed below are just a few of the great arts events taking place in the Peoria area this weekend.  For a more complete list of arts activities, we invite you to visit our events calendar at www.artspartners.net.

ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Inc.

820 SW Adams St.  Peoria, IL 61602

p. 309.676.2787  f. 309.676.0290

www.artspartners.net

Alumni Housing - Retirement Housing

Aging baby boomers will soon want one story homes. And many of them will want the vitality of city living without the cost of a large and expensive metro area. And some of them will fondly remember their old University.  Alumni retirement housing may be the next big thing.

Read more at:

http://alumnihousing.blogspot.com/

Good Scoop on Peoria on this link

Good Scoop on Peoria on this link


http://www.peoria.org/plan-your-visit/travelwriters/

Blending Conservation Design and New Urbanism

Thursday October 28th 12-1:30 pm Eastern

This program  describes the crossover between Conservation Design and the New Urbanism, showing how they can be blended. In areas served by public water and sewer, conservation design techniques can be readily combined with TND principles to create walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods, often involving infill projects and incremental growth around the community's outer edges. This program shows how higher density neighborhoods can be designed around the central organizing principle of an open space network and incorporate distinctive features of the natural and cultural landscape, producing more sustainable results. This program is based largely on Randall Arendts last two books: Envisioning Better Communities and Crossroads, Hamlet, Village, Town. Randall Arendt is a landscape planner, site designer, author, lecturer, and an advocate for conservation design. This webcast is sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter of APA. 

To register for this webcast visit 

http://www.utah-apa.org/webcasts.htm

Good News for the City of Peoria

Good news from the EDC

Economic Development Council (EDC) for Central Illinois: 

Peoria Metro Population Data Released for 2009

Economic Development Council (EDC) for Central Illinois's Notes

Peoria Metro Population Data 

Released for 2009

Share

 Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 10:41am

The 2009 population data 

recently released provides more 

positive news for the Peoria 

MSA.   The City of Peoria saw a 

growth in population for the 6th 

straight year.  The 1.16% 

increase in population is also the 

largest growth the city has seen 

in at least nine years.  

Warehouse District

Interesting article in the Peoria Chronicle about the possible rerouting of Illinois Rt 24 through the Warehouse District


http://peoriachronicle.com/2010/07/08/rt-24-designation-may-move-out-of-peoria/

Great Ongoing Street Party on Water Street at Kelleher's Pub

Every Wednesday through Sunday night is a great Street Party in front of Kelleher's Pub in downtown Peoria.  A mellow atmosphere, great quiet live entertainment, and great food make it a must for nice evening. You can eat and drink on the street, or visit one of the three great restaurants on the street, sample Illinois wine, or brew your own beer.


More info on the links below:


http://www.kellehersirishpub.com/


http://www.waterstreetwines.com/




http://www.pubcrawler.com/Template/ReviewWC.cfm/flat/BrewerID=103056


http://www.rizzisrestaurant.com/R101/rizzis.nsf/StateMain?OpenForm

Congratulations to East Peoria on Bass Pro Shops

Congratulations to East Peoria on getting Bass Pro Shops into our community. They are a great destination retail outlet, and will bring people and dollar into our community. This will create more jobs and also attract other retail.

There has been some criticism that the City of Peoria did not get this retail giant. But they required 20 acres near the River near the Interstate. That is the equivalent of 7 square blocks in Peoria and there was no way that that much real estate could be acquired in time.

The truth is that "downtown Peoria" is on both sides of the Illinois River near I-74.  Much of the new retail development is on the east side of the River since there was available land.  But any development in our core downtown on either side of the River makes our entire downtown more attractive and functional.

It takes one minute to drive from one side of the River to the other. Quality development on either side of the River is a good thing for our region.

Pinta and Nina

94%

Replicas of the Pinta and the Nina, Christopher Columbus’ famous ships, will dock at 2pm tomorrow at the Riverplex Landing adjacent to the Spirit of Peoria.The ships will open to the general public on Friday, July 9th, and remain open every day from 9am to 6pm until their departure early Monday morning. Visit thenina.com or email columfnd@surfbvi.com for more information.

Blueprint America

Congratulations to WTVP-TV who was selected to participate in the Blueprint America: Livability & Sustainability Outreach initiative, one of just 10 television stations in the country to receive a $10,000 grant. The station will air a half-hour documentary this fall that will define sustainability, focusing on high-speed rail coming to Normal, a proposed hydroelectric project in Quincy, how city regulations can help control urban sprawl in Peoria, and a "green" high school in Cuba, Illinois. The project will also involve an outreach component on wtvp.org, and educational elements through the Sun Foundation and the Central Illinois Green Expo at Illinois Central College this fall.

The Transformation Of DOT Under LaHood

Our former Congressman is doing a great
job as Secretary of Transportation. Read what Planetizen has to say.

Jul 1, 2010 -- The 


Washington Post: Breaking 


News Blog


Few expected this Republican in the Obama 


cabinet to cause such a stir. Yet, from his high 


speed rail advocacy to campaigning for road 


safety ("just say no to texting") to pushing 


livable communities, 64-year-old Ray LaHood 


has changed D.O.T.






http://www.planetizen.com/node/44897

Economic Development Video - Peoria, Illinois

Click Below:


http://www.wtvp.org/programming/ai/videoplayerqt.ai.2019.asp

Looking For Work

It is a tough job market. The blogs below are my thoughts on how to help you find your next job, or create your next business.

http://lookingforwork101.blogspot.com/

http://findaplanningjob.blogspot.com/

Use your local Work Force Network to help you find your next job.

http://www.workforcenetwork.com/

Excellent Articles in Peoria Magazines

Development

• Publisher's Note

  Reshaping the Region

  

  by Jan Wright, Publisher

  We’re in the midst of a remarkable transformation, one that will reshape the region for decades to come.

Area Development: A Snapshot

by Jonathan Wright

In the city that houses the headquarters of the world’s largest maker of construction equipment, nearly $2 billion in capital projects are ongoing, have been completed in recent years, or are currently in the planning stages.

SynergiCity

Exploring the Potential of the Warehouse District

by Ray Lees

PSA Dewberry

Several graduate students from the University of Illinois School of Architecture recently showcased an intriguing mix of ideas for creating a vibrant warehouse district in downtown Peoria.

Developing a More Sustainable Peoria

by Edward J. Barry, Jr.

Farnsworth Group

In Peoria, three recent developments, in three very different parts of the city, offer three very unique responses to the need to be greener.

Where Did Those Buildings Come From?

by Jim Bateman

Central Illinois Landmarks Foundation

Landmarking per se does not automatically save buildings. What it does is buy time to find a way to execute an appropriate adaptive reuse.

Position Your Project For Quick Municipal Approval

Recommendations for Applicants Entering the Plan and Zoning Process

by Craig Hullinger and Chuck Eckenstahler

It is inevitable that proposed new development will meet stiff opposition in the approval process.

Sunnyland Plaza Positioned to Thrive

by Jon Oliphant

City of Washington

The City is very encouraged at the prospect of having the Plaza returned to local ownership. Paskert and his associates have solid experience in successfully marketing and managing commercial properties.

Regional Development Thrives on Collaboration

by Vickie Clark

Economic Development Council for Central Illinois

Collaboration is key to the strength of this region. At EDC, we see firsthand the value of both the public sector and private businesses working together.

Peoria Public Library Buildings Take Shape

by Mike McKenzie

Peoria Public Library

After nearly 40 years with no changes to its buildings, the Peoria Public Library has become a beehive of building activity in every section of town.

A New Neighborhood in North Peoria

by Michael Smothers

Cullinan Properties, Ltd.

As their children sleep an extra hour on the last Saturday in August before classes begin, a young couple plans their day’s activities. Their car would never move.

A Changing Economy and Its Effect on Commercial Real Estate

by Jim Grube

Re/Max Commercial

While we continue to struggle with high vacancy rates and an abundance of warehouse space, retail, multi-family and medical office markets remain steady.

Local Campuses Under Construction

by Amy Chovan and Cheryl M. Fliege

Construction and redevelopment projects continue at various sites at Bradley University and Illinois Central College.

A Three-Pronged Tax Strategy for Building Owners

by Mark Colvin

Clifton Gunderson LLP

For building owners, saving taxes in 2010 may be as easy as 1-2-3.

Patience Pays Off

Tying It All Together in East Peoria

by Michael Smothers

Cullinan Properties Ltd.

Benjamin Franklin, one of this country’s civic improvement pioneers and an architect of  the nation itself, wrote for his Poor Richard’s Almanack, “He that can have patience can have what he will.”

Developers Are Stepping Up

by Jim McConoughey, Heartland Partnership

We know that great people are doing great things in the region, but when you take a step back and really look at what is happening, it’s pretty amazing.

Implementing Low Impact Development in Central Illinois

by Nick Hayward

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission

The United States EPA studied different LID sites across the nation and determined that the cost of LID is often less than the cost of conventional development.

Impact of the New Cancer Research Facility at the College of Medicine

by Dr. Sara Rusch, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria

This summer, we will break ground on the new Cancer Research Facility, adding about 20,000 square feet of research laboratory space.

Revitalized Building to Become a Local Fixture

by Scott Rogers

The newly revamped center will function both as a school focused upon improving the lives of those with special needs and a commercial entity geared towards revitalizing the Sheridan Triangle area.

What’s a TIF District, and Why Should I Care?

by Michael Fricke

Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP

TIF districts seem to be in the news on a daily basis, yet very seldom do you get the full story of how a TIF works and what benefits a city derives from it.

Congratulations: You’re Our Newest Plan Commissioner…

So Now What Do You Do?

by Charles Eckenstahler and Craig Hullinger

Serving on a plan commission is not easy, but it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a person’s life.