A Washington sports bar will receive a $34,000 grant from the city to help pay for a project to replace its doors and sealcoat and stripe its parking lot.
The city council this week approved a commercial building and property improvement grant for Kep's Sports Bar & Grill, after originally rejecting the request last month because the building at 313 Muller Road was for sale.
Kep's owner Brock Heider agreed with the city's request to not sell the building or list it for sale for two years after the estimated $68,000 project to upgrade the doors and parking lot project is completed.
That reversed a 4-2 council vote to deny the grant in August into a 6-2 vote to approve it.
The business still can be sold, which Heider plans to do. If the building is sold, listed for sale or no longer is used as a restaurant and bar over the two-year period, the building owner must repay the grant money to the city.
After voting against the grant last month, Alderperson Paula Johnson voted for it this week.
"I don't want the perception that we're changing the rules midstream for somebody who did exactly what they were asked to do to qualify for the grant," she said.
Alderperson Bobby Allen III said Heider owns other properties in the city, "so it's not like he's skipping town."
Alderperson Mike McIntyre called Kep's "a valuable part of the community," referencing the many benefits held at Kep's through the years and its sponsorships of community events.
The taxpayer-funded grant program will be examined by the council in the coming months. Changes to add more protections for the city and its termination are on the table.
"The Kep's owner did what he was asked," said Alderperson Brandon Moss. "Issues with the grant program shouldn't be inflicted on him."
Kep's was destroyed by a fire in 2009 and rebuilt.
This is the second time this month the council reversed course to give a Washington business a commercial property improvement grant after being initially rejecting the request in August.
The owners of Cherry Tree Plaza agreed to a city request regarding a future leasing of space and will receive a $50,000 grant in $25,000 installments if all requirements are met.
Smoke/vape shop licenses
Other actions taken by the council this week include:
- Approving an ordinance that requires smoke/vape shops and other tobacco retailers to be licensed, and limiting the number of smoke/vape shops to the four currently operating in the city. A shop on the 1400 block of Washington Road is within 500 feet of an educational facility, which is an ordinance violation, but won't have to move. If the shop changes ownership, the license will not transfer to the new owner.
- Approving a 20-year lease agreement with East Peoria-based Civic Digital Displays for a billboard on former Centennial Drive right-of-way adjacent to McClugage Road, about 650 feet southeast of Centennial. The lease includes free community messaging, "Welcome to Washington" branding on the billboard, and a prohibition on advertising for cannabis-related products or services. Rent is $12,000 for the first year, with a 10% increase every five years after.
- Approving a not-to-exceed three-year contract at a cost of $50,000 annually with Alabama-based Retail Strategies for professional retail recruitment. Retail Strategies is expected to help the city with its efforts to develop the Business Route 24 corridor and "223" property, and reduce property taxes through retail growth. Revenue from the 0.25% Business Development District sales tax that goes into effect Jan. 1 can be used to pay Retail Strategies for bringing in a business there.
- Declining to issue a request for proposals for another third-party engineering analysis of possible Farm Creek sewer trunk line routes. Instead, city staff will continue to work with affected property owners to reach a compromise on the route, which has been debated for nearly two decades.
- Approving awarding a not-to-exceed contract of nearly $547,500 to Hanson Professional Services of Peoria for design work on the renovation of the two Main Street bridges in the city, plus associated mill and overlay improvements. The Tri-County Reginal Planning Commission is obtaining funding for the bridge work.
'Pedestrian only'
In news from department head reports:
- Signs reminding downtown square visitors that square sidewalks are "pedestrian only" zones have been put in place. Rules prohibiting the use of electric and other vehicles on square sidewalks have been enforced or years.
- Brush pickup will start Oct. 5 on the west end of the city and move east. The entire process normally takes two or three days.
