The Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission is recommending approval of elements for the proposed River Trail apartment project.
But the measure heading to city council removes an initially-included road connection from the project to Water Street. Planning Commissioner Nick Viera says a road connection would have added to the city’s already-stretched road funding plan. He says he still voted against the measure after the road link was removed:
“It’s not a bad development, but it’s not ‘wow’ either. And that’s really important. If you’re trying to reach an upper end of the market, and you’re trying to make this stand out as something special, you have to be willing to think a little bit outside of the box.”
Residents opposed to the development along the Illinois River say a connection to Water Street poses safety hazards for pedestrians using the RiverPlex and living nearby.
Attorney Bob Hall represents the developer. He says a lack of connection to Water Street hurts the chances to attract tenants:
“We’re not looking to have a gated community, we’re looking to have one fully integrated with the city and the downtown. And that requires that internal access going south also.”
Hall says removing a link-up to Water Street could likely kill the project. The City Council will weigh-in on the matter September 22nd.