Peoria Standard

The city of Peoria Downtown Advisory Commission met Dec. 8 to discuss the sculpture walk.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the commission:

The general purpose of the Downtown Advisory Commission is to advise the Mayor and Council concerning policies, development and operations within the Downtown, Riverfront and Warehouse Districts. This Committee meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 4:00pm.

DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS

: OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS :

: OF THE CITY OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS :

A regular meeting of the Downtown Advisory Commission was held on Thursday, December 8, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. at the offices of Farnsworth Group, 100 Walnut, 2nd Floor, Peoria, IL 61602, with Chairman Mark Misselhorn presiding and with proper notice having been given.

ROLL CALL

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

Roll Call confirmed the following Commissioners physically present: Mark Misselhorn, Becky Frye, Ray Lees, Kip Strasma, Katy Shackelford, Jon Jenkins, Adam Hamilton (7).

Absent: Allison Daly, John Gibson (2).

City Council Present: Sid Ruckriegel, Denise Moore

City Staff Present: Chris Setti

MINUTES Commissioner Lees motioned for approval of the minutes of the regular Downtown Advisory Commission (DAC) meeting held on November 10, 2016 as printed; seconded by Commissioner Jenkins. The motion was approved unanimously.

INTRODUCTION OF COMMISSIONER KATY SHACKELFORD Chairman Misselhorn introduced Katy Shackelford who was appointed as a new Commissioner at the November 15 City Council meeting. Shackelford had been a Commissioner prior to going to work for the City’s Innovation Team. She explained that she now worked as the City Planner for the City of Pekin as was glad to be back on the Commission. She stated that she has a bachelor degree in Architecture and master degree in Urban Planning.

WELCOME AND OVERVIEW OF FARNSWORTH GROUP OFFICES Ed Berry of Farnsworth Group provided an overview of Farnsworth Group’s move into the second floor of the Murray Building. Mr. Berry introduced Kayse Doering who served as the manager of the project for Farnsworth Group as well as the development of the entire building. Mr. Berry stated that when Farnsworth was considering its move to downtown that it did not want to leave an empty building behind and found OSF as a replacement tenant for its Knoxville location. Mr. Berry discussed the character of the building. He stated that Farnsworth Group had 75 employees.

UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF MURRAY PLACE DEVELOPMENT Mike Chihoski, President of ADG, discussed the Murray Place Development. He stated that the building took about 14 months to completely renovate with a budget of approximately $15 million. He stated that the federal and state historic tax credits were a vital part of the financing mix. He reported that 80% of the 30 residential units were already leased.

In response to Commissioner Lees, Mr. Chihoski reported that the project could not have been accomplished without the tax credits. He said that the bank only appraised the project at $12 million, limiting the amount that could be borrowed. The $4 million in tax credit equity helped bridge the gap. In response to Commissioner Jenkins, Mr. Chihoski said that the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency was very easy to work with. He said there was some additional cost associated with specific windows that they requested.

UPDATE ON PLANNING EFFORTS FOR PEORIA RIVERFRONT Assistant City Manager stated that there was not much of an update from the previous Commission meeting. A group of stakeholder representatives was being formed to help work through the ideas submitted by the public and do some conceptual planning.

UPDATE ON PNC WINTERFEST Beau Sutherland of the Peoria Civic Center reported that this year’s Winterfest had a lot of site improvements that will improve the experience. He said they already had a number of school groups signed up for events, as well as a number of fundraisers. He said that last season, Winterfest helped groups raise over $15,000. He further discussed the Civic Center’s plans to make the space useable year round for other public events.

UPDATE REGARDING DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Michael Freilinger, CEO of the Downtown Development Corporation, discussed the importance of SB1488 being passed by the Illinois General Assembly. While the bill only extends the state historic tax credit by one year, it helps continue the momentum in downtown and the Warehouse District. He stated that the five River Edge communities would be working on a longer extension. Mr. Freilinger also discussed the DDC’s negotiation with Hawkeye Land Company regarding acquisition of property for Water Edge Park.

NEW BUSINESS Chairman Misselhorn announced the Urban3 form on land planning that was being hosted by the City’s Innovation Team.

Commissioner Strasma discussed the 2017 Sculpture Walk. He said that the call for artists had been publicized and that the group was hoping for 17 sculptures in the coming year. He also discussed the upcoming annual meeting of the Downtown Living Association.

PUBLIC COMMENT Sharon Gramm of the Peoria Riverfront Association announced that her organization had worked to develop a suggestion for the Riverfront Village space that would be posted on the planpeoria.com site as well as PRA’s website.

Larry Winkler announced that his development at 733 SW Washington was about 50% leased.

Pat Sullivan stated that Tannins & Hops would be delayed. He also announced that he had sold his first condominium in the Sealtest Building.

ADJOURNMENT The Downtown Advisory Commission Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:50 pm.

Chris Setti, City of Peoria City Manager’s Office