The City of Peoria is looking to revitalize the historic Wisconsin Avenue Business Corridor. Business people and area residents gathered at the East Bluff Community Center last night to talk about what it might take. The meeting started with a brief walking tour of the Corridor.
Peoria city staff, community planners and the District Councilman also visited with more than 20 businesses in the area in February.
Third District Councilman Tim Riggenbach says they’ve learned that many people walk around in the Wisconsin Corridor. He says fitting the corridor to pedestrian traffic is a good place to start. “The people at Kroger and Family Dollar, they all told us more than half of their customers walk or ride bikes or come in means other than their own vehicles. So if we can have some bike paths or something that would add to the complete street concept that we are trying to have in the city.”
Riggenbach says people are also asking for things like wider sidewalks and additional lighting. The suggestions gathered last night will also be included in the Corridor improvement plan that’s expected to be complete in late summer.
In the 1930‘s and 40’s the Wisconsin Corridor was home to several tailors and a tobacco shop, and it was the spot the trolley cars terminated and buses picked-up.
The discussion on Peoria’s Wisconsin Corridor improvements will continue in the East Village Growth Cell meetings.