Industrial Disease.
I hate putting up things that I don’t know but I’m running low on photos because of global colding. As far as I know this is the Pekin power plant, but there are several places close by that look similar and I didn’t take notes.
My wife especially likes this one because she’s the one who took the pic.
Update: Confirmed: It’s Avertine Renewable Energy, Inc.
700 Main Street. According to Jack Shell “Used to be United Savings back in the 70s, then United Federal Bank turned First Financial Bank then First United Methodist Church annex.”
A brief history of Peoria First United Methodist Church from their website:
Originally the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in November 1833 by the circuit rider Rev. Jesse Walker with seven charter members. In 1840 the first church house was erected and dedicated at the corner of Madison Ave. and Fulton St.
After building two new churches to accommodate growth, one in 1849 and one in 1884, the property for the current location was purchased in March, 1914. The church building was dedicated June 18, 1916. The William E. Shaw addition was dedicated in 1957. In 1993, First United Methodist Church acquired and remodeled the 700 Main property, which we use primarily for worship, Bible studies & Youth Ministry. We have recently purchased most of the block on which our 700 Main building is located.
Who would want to visit this place?
Sorry to keep you all waiting. I was sort-of surprised that anyone figured this out, but behold Woodford_AL: “well… is near the river, obviously on the Peoria side. Looks like the end of spring street, near Detweiller Marina? A nice place for a condo, I suppose.”
What I think is exciting news, via the Peoria Journal Star, Feb 15, 2008:
A riverfront housing development at the foot of Spring Street could begin this summer, more than three years since an agreement for its construction was approved by the City Council.
The Fountain Grass development still calls for housing on 1.3 acres overlooking Lower Peoria Lake south of Detweiller Marina and north of a city-owned park and the RiverPlex.
Unlike prior plans, the housing complex is not being considered for luxury condominiums.
Developer Keith Weinstein, president of Graystone Realty Group, said Thursday he is mulling over whether to develop condominiums, apartments or a mixture of both, when the 44-unit, four-story complex is built. It will include a clubhouse, billiard room, fitness area and underground parking.
“I think it’s exciting,” Mayor Jim Ardis said. “I think people are looking toward the Downtown (with an interest of) living down there, and this will contribute to the options that are out there.”
Each unit, whether it’s rented or owned, features one or two bedrooms. The average size of each unit is 1,000 square feet.
“I’m waiting to see what the market does here,” Weinstein said on whether to build condos or apartments he estimates will be priced between the upper $100,000 to upper $200,000 range.
Craig Hullinger, the city’s economic development director who is pushing for redevelopment along the riverfront north of the RiverPlex, said Weinstein’s plans could be attractive to younger professionals.
“It’s a better price point for redevelopment, and he’s shooting for a lot of younger people,” Hullinger said. “The pricier you get, the smaller the potential buyers there are.”
Weinstein’s development comes after Jim Simantel of Simantel Properties LLC gave up his plans to develop luxury condos priced at more than $500,000.
Simantel said last month that an increase in the cost of construction materials after Hurricane Katrina made his project “too expensive to build.”
Weinstein praised Simantel for moving forward in getting a developer’s agreement with the city approved. Because of that, Weinstein might not need a new agreement. He will, however, have to get Simantel’s agreement amended to reflect increased costs for reconstructing Spring Street, among other things.
Hullinger said the estimates in 2004 showed the redevelopment of Spring Street to include new sidewalks, street lights and road work costing about $600,000. Those costs have since increased to $720,000, Hullinger added.
Weinstein’s development is located in the city’s Northside Riverfront tax-increment finance district, allowing extra property tax revenue generated to help offset infrastructure improvements, such as the redevelopment of Spring Street.
The Northside Riverfront TIF also includes the Taft Homes, RiverPlex and PMP Fermentation Products Inc. The TIF expires in 2018.
Weinstein’s development will likely be a welcomed addition to plans Hullinger is pushing for the redevelopment of city-owned park property north of the RiverPlex to include urban townhouses. Hullinger also said a proposed Riverside Drive will be able to run near Weinstein’s development.
In addition, the “Greed Edge” redevelopment plan Hullinger is eyeing for more public park-like space along the riverfront north of Downtown is also moving ahead. Hullinger will present his plans on that development before the city’s planning commission next week.
(N)IMBY
A couple of beautiful homes in the Arbor District.
Commonly known as the Zeller Zone, it was later renamed the George A. Zeller Mental Health Center after none other than Peoria State Hospital’s groundbreaking superintendent Dr. George Zeller.
Zeller Zone opened in 1965 and permanently closed in 2002 and is currently being leased to Illinois Central College for $1/yr. It is known as I.C.C. North Campus.
A finacial audit by the Illinois Office of the Auditor General describes the property this way:
The George A. Zeller Mental Health Center was closed to normal operations on August 30, 2002. However, some administrative operations continued through June 30, 2003, at which time the Center finalized its closure. This was our final audit of the Center.
The Center consisted of ten buildings totaling over 250,000 square feet and was located on 60 acres in Peoria, Illinois. Former Center management stated that CMS and the Governor’s Office negotiated a 20 year lease of the Center’s buildings and grounds with Illinois Central College (ICC) for $1 a year. In exchange, ICC agreed to maintain the building and grounds and provide office space and utilities to the Department’s Comprehensive Community Health Service Network of North-Central Illinois at no charge. The lease became effective December 16, 2002.
This actual door is on the south side of the property and is the home to the Mental Health Association of Illinois Valley, Inc.
Thanks to Septboy, Angie, Dick & Julie. In addition, I give Cory the coveted snarky comment of the week award: “Did they make the sidewalk that way just to screw with the patients? Because that would be really mean.”