Both Caterpillar and the City of Peoria are soliciting input from residents to craft a downtown streetscape plan. The focal point is Caterpillar’s plans for a new world headquarters:
Cat-hired consultants OJB led a public meeting last night along with city officials. The idea is to mesh Cat’s plans for its downtown with overall streetscape design for the city. Consultant Cody Klein says getting public input is one way Caterpillar hopes to work with residents before building its new world headquarters:
“It was their desire to say ‘We cannot be just this six blocks, we have to be outward facing, we have to make sure that we fit into the larger context of the city.”
Suggestions from last night include narrowing the streets, protecting green space, and consistent sidewalks. More public meetings are scheduled in the coming months. Residents can also submit feedback by emailing PeoriaStreets@ojb.com.