The Peoria City Council recently agreed with Peoria developer Mike Simantel that riverfront property at the end of Spring Street was just too beautiful to turn into a public park, and approved the developer’s proposal to build condominiums on the site. The acreage had previously been planned for park development.

 According to the Peoria Journal Star and statements made to Council by Mr. Simantel, former Third District Councilman David Koehler, and Karie Friling, interim economic development director for the City, Simantel will be building a 16 unit, nearly $4 million, gated complex on the riverfront at the foot of Spring Street. Simantel told the Council that the site is one of the most beautiful sites along the river, and perfect for his development. Council members nodded their agreement, and unanimously voted to approve the zoning changes and funds necessary to provide the infrastructure for the project.

 The condominiums will be built on the old Hawkeye Rubber property. When Hawkeye went out of business nearly 4 years ago, the City of Peoria decided to purchase the property and complete its planned riverfront park, which extends along the shoreline from the Rec Plex to Detweiller Marina. According to Councilman James Ardis, funds were placed in the City budget and plans to purchase the property proceeded. Those funds were subsequently removed with the approval of third district councilwoman Gale Thetford and used elsewhere, clearing the way for private purchase and development of the site.

 In the last 5 years, most of the development dollars invested in the northside riverfront have supported industrial development. While it is somewhat reassuring to see residential rather than further industrial development here, the Simantel project robs the community of a beautiful and strategic site along the riverfront and allows the owner to build on the flood plain, creating future environmental hazards.

 Mr. Simantel and Ms. Friling told the Council that they are not requesting that Spring Street be closed, restricting public access to the riverfront. Former Councilwoman Dorothy Sinclair questioned the developer and city staff closely about this issue. It seems that Spring Street has a 70ft. wide public access, and the street runs down to and even into the river. According to Public Works Director, Steve VanWinkle, many of the streets leading to the river along the northside were built wider than residential streets elsewhere in town. This being the case, public concerns expressed at the Council meeting by Sinclair and others can be effectively addressed by keeping Spring Street open to the public, all the way to the shoreline.

Lost Parks Along the Riverfront

The Illinois River shoreline has a natural sand beach, perfect for parks and recreation. Perfect, that is, IF you can reach it. Industrial development has all but ruined the riverfront at Peoria. Our riverfront parks are now, of necessity, built over construction and industrial fill. Still, park advocates feel that it is worth the effort to restrain further building along the shoreline, and reclaim the land for parks.

 Lake View & Sulfur Spring, the circus comes to town c. 1930. In 1935 the property was sold to Robert LeTourneau for his manufacturing plant. It now lies under Komatsu's plant and the dike built by LeTourneau.

Al Fresco Park, drowned by the rising waters of the Illinois River after the locks and dams were installed in the 1930’s. What little was left fell into ruin.

 Shady Beach, now lies under and near the Murray Baker Bridge. No public access or amenities available.

(above photos: courtesy of Peoria Public Library)

--From: The Galena Trail Newsletter, Aug. 30, 2004, a monthly publication of the Peoria County Galena Trail Committee, Peoria Pimiteoui Projects, Inc. Patricia Goitein, editor; Mildred Pollack, Treasurer, 1625 W. Columbia Terrace, Peoria, IL. 61606. (Used with permission of GT Newsletter.)