A surge of new residential units are planned for Peoria's downtown and Warehouse District over the next few years.
But how much residential growth is truly needed in these areas? Who are the people that want to live there, and why?
Jackie Watkins has lived in downtown Peoria for more than a quarter century, moving into a second floor condo in the Twin Towers. She says the area has just as much of a neighborhood feel as anywhere else in the city.
“I would characterize the community as: Everybody,” said Watkins, who came to Peoria from Decatur after marrying former Peoria County board member William “Junior” Watkins. “Everybody, from all different cultures. There’s a lot of different situations: some people are single, some people are married. It's just a hodgepodge of everybody getting along.”
Mary Jo Papich has also lived in the Twin Towers for several years, lured by her view of the city from the 21st floor. She says downtown residents are just drawn to urban living.
“I think they like the hipness,” said Papich. “We have everything from med residents, medical students, to retired people to couples that have a little more time on their hands and want to be active, and downtown offers a lot of that. It’s fun living.”
Over in the Warehouse District, Travis Platt says an increasing vibrancy attracted him to the area five years ago.
“I love the vibe and energy of a bigger city without having to be in a big city.”Travis Platt
“I love the vibe and energy of a bigger city without having to be in a big city,” said Platt, who lives in the Winkler Lofts on Washington Street. “We've got so many amenities and resources around here, but we still have that ‘small town’ feel as if people care about other people and getting to know them. That's what I really love about being here.”
Jon Walker and his wife Angie own the 130-year-old building that once housed the Union Depot Hotel and is now home to the Zion Coffee Bar, and they live in the upper floor condo. Jon Walker says they appreciate the convenience the area offers.
“It's a lifestyle – you either like it or you maybe don't like it, you want a yard or you don't want a yard kind of thing,” he said. “We've met people of all walks of life that live out here.”
Angie Walker, who typically works from home, says she enjoys the amount of activity in the area, and that they're closer to services than when they used to live in a subdivision in the middle of town.
“Even when I'm home alone, I don't feel like I'm home alone; I don't feel isolated,” she said. “We consider the entire riverfront to be our backyard now, which is really amazing. Being able to walk and get to your activities easily is another benefit. There's just so many different things to choose from, and we only see that growing.”
“We consider the entire riverfront to be our backyard now, which is really amazing.”Angie Walker
A study released in January by Kretchmer Associates shows downtown Peoria’s market-rate apartment buildings at 96% occupancy. Numerous mixed use developments are on the way that will add more than 500 apartments and condos downtown and in the warehouse district.
City Manager Patrick Urich says the research shows the number of people who want to live in the heart of the city keeps growing.
“We have done a number of studies and every time that we do a study, it keeps validating that there is demand for downtown apartment living and that we can absorb the number of apartments that we're currently constructing or more, quite frankly,” he said.
In fact, the Kretschman report’s analysis concludes that over the next five years, demand for more rental units will exceed the number currently planned.
Mayor Rita Ali says she's optimistic that downtown neighborhoods will be able to handle the anticipated growth.
“When you look at photographs – and I have a photographic memory of growing up in Peoria – there were thousands and thousands of people that would come downtown, mostly to shop the big retail,” she said.
“Now it's going to be a combination of commercial and residential like it's never been before. I really believe that the population is going to grow to the degree that we may have grocery and pharmacy as well in our downtown area.”
But Ali admits the city needs to balance the addition of upper-end residences with its need for affordable housing.
“I don't see it being any more dangerous than any other (area). As a matter of fact, it might be safer because there's more people down here.”Jackie Watkins
“I want to point to the need for all different prices of housing downtown,” said Ali. “We have Fulton Plaza, which is just a few feet, a stone's throw away from City Hall – those are quite affordable apartments. We have the hospital district and there's more affordable housing actually in what's called the hospital district than other parts of downtown. Of course, the Warehouse District is a little bit more pricey. But we want affordable housing for everyone.”
Platt uses a wheelchair to get around and says accessibility in the Warehouse District is another big advantage.
“One of the benefits of living down here is I can just walk wherever, I don't really drive my truck too much anymore,” said Platt. “So the accommodation, in my knowledge around the city, is probably the best down here.”
Noting her building has 24-hour security, Watkins disputes a common belief that living downtown is dangerous, feeling that misperception perpetuates an unfair reputation and unwarranted concerns over high crime.
“It’s very safe. If something's happening, you're close by a fire district (and) you're close by the police district,” she said. “So no, I don't see it being any more dangerous than any other (area). As a matter of fact, it might be safer because there's more people down here.”
