Pekin Mayor Mary Burress took time out from calling 2025 the city's breakout year and 2026 the takeoff year in her "State of the City" address to assure residents that a controversial data center project is still in the exploratory stage.
"Stakeholders -- particularly the utility companies -- are performing extensive due diligence, which should be completed six months from now," Burress told a sold out luncheon this week at the Avanti's Event Center.
The results of the due diligence will be part of a feasibility study, Burress said.
Depending upon the results of the study, "then and only then will economic incentives, a zoning change and site plans come next. I can assure you they will be discussed very openly."
The mayor said when the possibility of bringing a data center to Pekin arose, it was an opportunity worth exploring because of its expected economic impact on the city.
She promised the city would be transparent about the opportunities and risks involved with moving forward with the project if that's the decision.
"Please stay tuned and ready to be involved," she said.
The data center would be built on 321 of the 1,000-acre Lutticken Farm property purchased by the city last summer for $14 million.
Opponents of the data center packed the city council meeting room at Pekin City Hall on Monday to express their concerns, and have formed a Facebook group with about 2,500 members.
The city has scheduled a town hall meeting for March 24 at Pekin Community High School to talk about the proposed project.
Burress said the city has had discussions with multiple developers who are interested in constructing homes in the Lutticken Farms property.
Here are some other highlights of Burress' address:
• She announced that Carle Health Pekin Hospital will spend nearly $6 million to improve its campus in 2026. Projects include razing the south tower to create green space and building a restaurant in the main building for hospital visitors and the public.
• Phase 3 of the Court Street rehabilitation project, which extends to the intersection of Court and 8th Street, should be completed by the end of the year.
• A renovation of Broadway Road from Parkway Drive to 14th Street will be done in 2027.
• The Derby Street rehabilitation project will resume and be completed in 2028.
• Two to three new retail establishments will be built on property in front of the Menards on Court this year. East of that work, the shuttered Motel 6 will be renovated this year into a new hotel.
• The city has hired McDaniels Marketing of Pekin to develop a marketing and public relations strategy to get the word out the positive developments in Pekin. McDaniels has already put together a new branding strategy for the city.
• The city is prioritizing improving public safety buildings and infrastructure "that has been neglected."
• On the financial side, past late audits are being completed, and cuts are being considered in the city's 2026-27 fiscal year budget so the city doesn't have to dip into its reserves.
"Despite our challenges, which we will never be immune from, I'm proud to say that Pekin is absolutely on a positive path," Burress said.
"In addition to all that is new and growing, public institutions like our schools, parks and library continue to be strong, as are the numerous non-profit organizations that contribute to our overall quality of life and well-being."
Burress said she hears from people all the time that they had a negative perception about Pekin before they spent time in the city, and they cannot believe how wrong they were.
"This has perhaps been our greatest challenge -- our image -- but it also represents one of our greatest opportunities," Burress said.
"It's a challenge we have tackled head on through the past six months with a new and robust branding initiative."
