Peoria Standard

State Representative Ryan Spain recently took part in a program organized by the Peoria Historical Society at the Pettengill-Morron House Museum, focusing on the history of the Block & Kuhl department store. During the event, Spain, who is also employed by OSF HealthCare, discussed OSF’s ongoing efforts to refurbish and renovate the historic Block & Kuhl Building. The building received national recognition when it was awarded a Richard H. Driehaus Foundation National Preservation Award in 2023.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation described the Block & Kuhl building as “The Big White Store” due to its seven stories of white glazed terra cotta. Opened in 1905, it was Peoria’s first steel-framed structure but suffered years of neglect before OSF HealthCare began restoration work in 2018.

According to the National Trust, “For the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, the owners of OSF HealthCare, restoring the dilapidated building into a new headquarters that could accommodate more than 700 employees also meant revitalizing the downtown economy. Thus began a $150 million transformation project, led by preservation architects JLK and architecture firm Dewberry, to redevelop the 275,865-square-foot space.”

Spain has represented Illinois’ 73rd House District since his election in 2017 as a Republican, succeeding David R. Leitch.