Residents opposing the proposed River Trail Apartments in Peoria are voicing concern about a new land swap. The City is looking to convert a plot of riverfront property into park space to ease concerns about a segment of Riverfront Park slated for the apartment complex. That deal would force the Peoria Boat Club to likely re-locate. Club member Joe Hranka says the group must vacate its site by the end of the year:
“We have to find places to put our boats next year, we have 36 boats in our club, and we also have to find places to store our boats this winter, where we’ve always stored right here on this premises.”
Others say the proposed land-swap lacks public input, is prone to flooding, and the City Planning and Zoning Commission should delay taking up the issue for a month to give council-members time to discuss the project. City officials say flooding is not unexpected for the site, and any park-related events would be scheduled to accommodate any changes to the river level. Officials also say public input meetings are planned for uses for the swap-land and the city is working to address concerns about car traffic and re-locating volleyball courts.