The City of East Peoria officially has a new downtown it’s calling The Levee District. The city achieved the goal about a decade after the former Caterpillar Foundry Site was declared the place the city would build a downtown. Cullinan Properties handled the development that includes a myriad of new retailers, with restaurants, office space and a Holiday Inn and Suites coming soon.
Chris West is a Partner in Cullinan Properties. He says the total number of stores in the new development will vary depending on how they are divided. But West says it will total more than 50 stores. He says that includes “over 500,000 square feet and there is land to be developed adjacent to Gordmans and along Altorfer [Drive] and some of the out parcels we have. But we already have five buildings under construction or opened at this point, and there are several more to come.”
Costco was the first big retailer to open last November. Target, Gordmans and Ulta have opened since the beginning of the month. West says Costco is reporting sales thirty percent higher than anticipated since it opened.
The new Levee District is holding a grand opening celebration Saturday from 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.. East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus says everyone is invited.