Peoria Standard

The Peoria Downtown Advisory Committee met Thursday, June 9.

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by Peoria:

ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m.

Roll Call confirmed the following Commissioners physically present: Mark Misselhorn, Alison Daley, Ray Lees, Jon Jenkins, Adam Hamilton, Becky Frye (6).

Absent: Kip Strasma, John Gibson (2).

City Staff Present: Chris Setti

Chairman Misselhorn thanked Becky Frye for hosting the Commission meeting.

MINUTES

Commissioner Lees motioned for approval of the minutes of the regular Downtown Advisory Commission (DAC) meeting held on May 12, 2016 as printed; seconded by Commissioner Daley. The motion was approved

unanimously.

PRESENTATION REGARDING GO FEST 2017

Beau Sutherland and Megan Pedigo of the Peoria Civic Center presented information regarding “GoFest Peoria.” Ms. Pedigo discussed the challenge issued to staff from the Civic Center Authority to “think outside the box.” While there are a great deal of downtown events and venues, there is very little coordination among them. GoFest is planned for July 17, 2017 and will be a coordinated festival that will involve all businesses and venues, including the Civic Center, Dozer Park, museums and riverfront. Mr. Sutherland stated that the goal was to get people to come downtown and do more than one thing. The plan is modelled after a similar event held in Whistler, Canada. He said they wanted to make downtown feel small with free transportation that will take people between venues. He stated that they were still in the planning stages and were open to suggestions.

PRESENTATION ON COOPERAGE 214

Katie Kim of The Kim Group discussed the renovation of 214 Pecan into a mixed use development in the Warehouse District. She stated that it was originally used as a manufacturing space for windows and doors and then later used as a cooperage for Hiram Walker. She said that the first floor would be entirely commercial space and would be the new home for One Fire Media, a Peoria based technology firm. The second and third floors would each have nine residential units. Construction will begin June 13 and is scheduled to be done by mid-December. Regarding parking, she stated that there will be a small surface parking lot along Adams, some limited parking in the rear of the building and plenty of on-street parking in the area. In response to Chairman Misselhorn, Ms. Kim stated that the have just started marketing the space but already have five people on their waiting list.

UPDATE AND DISCUSSION OF BRADLEY STUDENT SURVEY ABOUT DOWNTOWN

Chairman Misselhorn reviewed the discussion from the last Commission meeting regarding Bradley University. Commissioner Daley reported that she met with Bradley representatives on May 23, 2016 to discuss the survey results and potential next steps. She stated that Bradley did not think transportation options to downtown was a problem. They discussed two top priorities. First, they felt a business discount program would be successful. Students are price conscious and programs like this can be successful. They are also drawn to fundraisers like “dine to donate.” The Bradley representatives felt there could be a better tie in between downtown businesses and Bradley basketball games and also encouraged more businesses to accept Bradley cash.

The second priority concerned better and more direct marketing to Bradley students. They felt that the Bradley Scout could be used as an advertising platform, as well as better use of social media. They specifically mentioned targeting freshmen students during orientation. They also discussed “geo-fencing” a digital advertising strategy that targets people within a certain geography.

Ms. Daley suggested that a representative of Bradley be invited to the next Commission meeting.

UPDATE REGARDING DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Michael Freilinger, CEO of the Downtown Development Corporation (DDC), gave an update regarding its recent activities. Mr. Freilinger reported great momentum in downtown and the Warehouse District. He also commented that there had been great press coverage of these developments. He discussed the DDC’s efforts to advocate for common sense regulations to the Construction Commission regarding adoption of the 2012 International Building Codes. He discussed the DDC’s role in promoting use of the Civic Art Works planning and engagement platform. Regarding the downtown shuttle pilot program, he reported that the City’s tourism reserve fund was being approached for possible funding.

Mr. Freilinger also reported that the DDC was working with the City to conduct an updated housing demand study and a study to investigate near- and long-term solutions to parking in the Warehouse District. The DDC continues to advocate for the extension of the state historic tax credit program. Mr. Freilinger closed by congratulating Sculpture Walk and ArtsPartners on a successful 2016 installation.

NEW BUSINESS

Larry Winkler reported that his residential development at 733 SW Washington should be ready for occupancy by the end of July.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Lees made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Commissioner Jenkins. The motion

carried unanimously. The Downtown Advisory Commission Meeting adjourned at approximately 5:05 pm.