The Peoria Civic Center is getting some new seating in the Carver Arena with $2.6 million from the state. Governor Pat Quinn visited Saturday afternoon to make the capital funding announcement and sign legislation.
Quinn says replacing the 30-year old seats in the arena will make the facility accessible for those with disabilities and enhance it for years to come. The money its part of a total $4 million state allocation and is from the third round of bonding from the 2009 Illinois Jobs Now initiative.
The money will also help update meeting rooms in the Civic Center, and provide some of the retrofitting for the new Marriott skywalk that will connect to the Center.
The governor also signed legislation adding the Peoria Civic Center to the state list of facilities that serve as emergency response centers. The Red Cross maintains the list of facilities and the Peoria Civic Center is immediately added to the list under the new law.
Governor Quinn started his day in Chicago, making several stops signing legislation on his way. Two of the other measures the Governor signed are significant to the greater Peoria area. House Bill 15-22 establishes a storm water management committee for Peoria and Dupage Counties. The committees are to address frequent flooding concerns and have the authority to levy fees specifically for improving and repairing storm sewers. House Bill 125 allows the Tri County Regional Planning Commission to buy and sell property. Specially the measure will allow the TCRPC to buy an office.
Quinn announces Civic Center improvements at Peoria stop
