In alignment with the City Council goal of promoting economic development, the City adopted the Economic Development Investment Strategy (EDIS) and its update. This strategy was intended to serve as a roadmap in achieving the City's stated economic development goals of business retention, business attraction, workforce development, redevelopment and business assistance. One element of the EDIS was the identification of investment zones which included targeted investment policies and promotion of revitalization activities. To this end, Old Town was identified as an key investment zone. 

As part of a new, muscular effort to create the conditions to seed redevelopment of the Old Town core, the City has embarked in targeted land banking and market intervention efforts.  In 2016, the City purchased and cleared three (3) parcels at the northeast corner of Jefferson and 83rd Drive; and cleared the former fire administration buildings on Washington Street. More recently, the City purchased the Kosier's building located at the northwest corner of 83rd Avenue and Jefferson.  These actions, along with the adaptive reuse of the former fire station by Lucidi Distilling has instigated a new momentum of redevelopment opportunity in the Old Town core.

Last May, 2016, the City Council authorized and appropriated funding for several actions including the purchase of select properties along Jefferson Street and the abatement/beautification of properties owned or to be acquired by the City. The City also appropriated up to $170,000 for consultant services to develop a redevelopment strategy for this block and the surrounding Old Town core. 

After a competitive selection process, the City finalized a scope of work and contract with Michael Baker International.  Identified as the "Old Town Block Strategy," there are two (2) base components:

Component I will consist of a comprehensive assessment and identification of redevelopment options for a narrowly focused block within Peoria’s Old Town.  Upon completion, this component will assist City leadership in defining an actionable path forward for the attraction of appropriate redevelopment; and identification of technical recommendations related to infrastructure, zoning, parking and building/fire codes – both in tandem will help seed the block redevelopment and further catalyze reinvestment in the area. Though focused on a specific block of Old Town, this strategy stands to be portable potentially serving the balance of Old Town as revitalization efforts continue. The Block consists of parcels bounded by 83rd Avenue, Washington Street, Jefferson Street and 83rd Drive. 

Component II will consist of the development of a branding and marketing strategy for the larger Old Town Core, defined as an area bounded by Peoria Avenue, Grand Avenue, 85^th Avenue and Monroe Street.  Based on the brand, the team will need to identify a roster of placemaking and beautification elements (e.g. monumentation, signage, street furniture, lighting, landscaping, pedestrian connections etc.) for the Old Town core. It will also be necessary to identify locations and approximate unit costs. The roster will assist staff in identifying costs for implementation in subsequent budget/grant cycles.

At the March 7, 2017 City Council meeting, staff will provide an introduction and overview of the project deliverables, approach and schedule milestones. 

On May 17, 2016, as part of a series of actions to acquire property and seed future redevelopment opportunities in the Old Town core, the City Council authorized and appropriated up to $170,000 for a redevelopment block strategy.

After a competitive solicitation and selection process, the City selected Michael Baker International as the consultant lead for the project. A contract not-to-exceed $146,450 was finalized and executed with the consultant.