Some local developers are moving forward with plans to revive some old buildings within Peoria’s Warehouse District. Local entrepreneur Pat Sullivan along with partner John Hunt are renovating the more than 115-year old Sealtest building located on the corner of Washington and State streets.
The two-million dollar project will turn the former ice cream factory into a mix of various businesses and condominiums. Sullivan says the area is ready for redevelopment.
“This is going to be a walkable, friendly, nice little area that we’ve all been looking forward to over the last ten, 15 years. We’ve been talking about it and the federal, state and city have put money where we asked them to. Now we have to put the money where our mouth is and start building more and hopefully getting more of the area’s people down here and enjoying what they see,” said Sullivan.
City, state and federal dollars were used to reconstruct Washington Street. The Warehouse District is also now part of the National Register of Historic Places. That will allow building owners access to Historic Tax Credits to offset the cost of improving their structures.
Sullivan says the renovation of the Sealtest building will be complete next spring.