Latest news with #AndreAllen
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Peoria may buy Expo Gardens for major residential development project. Here's what we know
The city of Peoria is exploring purchasing Peoria Exposition Gardens, where the annual Heart of Illinois Fair is held, and turning the 70 acres of property into residentially developed land and saving it from foreclosure. Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich said the city hopes the land could be developed into 110 to 150 homes within the boundaries of Peoria Public Schools. He said that would mean roughly $1.5 to $1.6 million in additional annual property tax revenue. "The property is zoned residential and there are very few locations, in fact this is the only location, inside of the boundaries of Peoria Public Schools where we could have a large scale housing development," Urich said. The Peoria City Council will vote on the proposed purchase, which would cost the city more than $1 million, at its meeting on Tuesday. Peoria would use a state grant designed for land acquisition and housing to acquire the property, Urich said. Councilmember Andre Allen, whose 4th District is home to the Expo Gardens, will support the purchase. "This is a unique opportunity to help ensure a key District 4 property is developed in a way that benefits existing residents and strengthens the neighborhood," Allen told the Journal Star. "I'm excited for what lies ahead and grateful for the many years of memories Expo Gardens has provided the City of Peoria and beyond. Equally important, this effort allows us to bring our state dollars home and support local revitalization." More: 'Embarrassment': Additional $200M needed to fix Peoria sewer overflow issue. Here's why Both Peoria's City Manager Patrick Urich and Expo Gardens President Charles Kennell have signed a letter of intent written by the city that signals their desire to purchase the property. Peoria would purchase the property for $1.1 million and would also release Expo Gardens from roughly $457,000 of liens stemming from unpaid stormwater utility tax fees and other debts owed to the city. This purchase, according to information provided to the council by city staff, would benefit Peoria Public Schools by securing in city hands the "largest developable parcel for residential growth within District 150." Peoria would place the 70 acres of land into its land bank where it would then be marketed for development, if council approves the purchase. Urich said part of the agreement would provide the Exposition Gardens a short-term lease that would likely get it through this year's Heart of Illinois Fair, which is scheduled for July 15-19. A volunteer who answered the phone at the Peoria Exposition Gardens on Thursday said there was no one available to comment about the purchase. More: When does Best Buy open in East Peoria? What to know, including when Peoria store closes This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria may buy Expo Gardens for major residential development project
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
April 1 election results final with tight races decided
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — For about two weeks, they have waited and now, it's official. Andre Allen was reelected back to the Peoria City Council as the representative of the 4th District and Alex Carmona will replace outgoing 2nd District Councilman Chuck Grayeb on the Horseshoe. UPDATED: One new face on the Peoria City Council as incumbents win their seats Mayor Rita Ali will also return to a second term in office as the city's mayor, beating At-Large Councilman John Kelly by a wide margin, according to numbers released by the Peoria County Election Commission. All led from Election Day until the final votes were tallied Tuesday and then certified on Wednesday. Incumbents Denise Jackson in the 1st District and Denis Cyr in the 5th district won by comfortable margins. Tim Riggenbach was unopposed in the 3rd District. With all the votes in, Ali beat Kelly garnering 60% or 11,006 votes to Kelly's 7,122 which was about 40%. Kelly, however, will not go far as his seat on the council was not up for election so he'll remain. Jackson got 77% of the 2,458 cast in the 1st district, while Cyr got 62% of the 5th District's 4,625 votes. In the 4th District, Allen finished with 51% or 2,212 votes to challenger Jamie Messmore's 2,091 votes or 49%. The politically active 2nd district was, by far, the most competitive with Carmona getting 1,478 votes to Estrella Diaz's 1,431, a difference of 47 votes. Former City Councilman Jim Montelongo won the race for city treasurer, while Latrina Leary got another term in office as the Peoria Township supervisor, beating two challengers. Overall, roughly 22% of the county's voters turned out. Some races had a greater percentage while others were less but the county's average was 22% of registered voters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What to know about round 2 of Peoria County's Digital Equity program
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A second round of applications for low-cost or no-cost internet access to eligible low-income households will begin next month. Peoria County started its Digital Equity pilot program last year with a $125,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. Peoria County Board approves equity program to bridge 'digital divide' The sign-up period for the program is open from April 1 to April 27. After applications are received and reviewed, the goal is to have all households connected and receiving service by June 1. Peoria County residents who are interested in applying can review the full eligibility requirements and submit an application online. The pilot program will run for 12 months and is available to county households, who currently do not have internet access. Participants will be selected via a lottery system, with priority given to those with lower area median incomes. Peoria County will cover the full cost of broadband service for one year, with payments made directly to the service providers. For years, the county has known there is a gap in the ability to get access to high-speed internet. Some areas simply don't have the infrastructure. In other areas, residents either can't afford it or if they can, they get the cheapest level which doesn't provide adequate coverage. And it's the latter that this program will address, Andre Allen, the county's diversity, equity and inclusion officer, told WMBD last year. He wants people to be able to afford and to have the access to the internet that they need and what's appropriate for their families. The pilot program, funded through the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, a Peoria Democrat, is to be spread as evenly as possible across all 18 districts. In August, Allen estimated that about 400 families could get some type of assistance from the program. 'The Digital Equity Pilot reflects Peoria County's commitment to addressing inequities in digital access,' Allen said. 'By working together with broadband providers, we're able to offer a critical resource to underserved households across Peoria County. We look forward to seeing the impact this program will have over the next year.' For additional information, please contact Brittany Graves at (309) 495-4666 or via email at bgraves@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
