Hengst Foundation

The organization leading development plans for an outdoor amphitheater along the Peoria side of the Illinois River says it is forging ahead despite the death of its founder late last year.

Peoria Mayor Rita Ali remains steadfast in her belief that the planned Phoenix Manor permanent supportive housing development on the South Side ultimately will benefit the neighborhood.

Peoria Mayor Ali believes the 5,000-seat outdoor performance venue along the Illinois River will provide an economic impact and cultural benefit for the entire region. While the project is primarily funded by an $11 million donation to the city, Ali said it’s looking like the cost may go slightly above that amount.

The Peoria City Council this week unanimously approved agreements for engineering and construction services for the planned Dee Hengst Amphitheater along the Illinois River.

A patch of land along the Illinois River between the Murray Baker Bridge and the Peoria RiverPlex is officially on track to become the location of an outdoor amphitheater.

A plan to use a charitable gift to develop an $11 million amphitheater along the Illinois River in Peoria has gained enthusiastic support from city leaders.

Peoria’s existing large-scale plan to upgrade the Riverfront has a new feature, with the city and the Hengst Foundation in discussions to pursue an amphitheater project near the Murray Baker Bridge.

The Hengst Foundation has pulled the plug on its proposal to build and operate a 5,000-seat, $12 million amphitheater on a portion of vacant farmland owned by the city of Washington.

A controversial proposal to build a $12 million, 5,000-seat amphitheater on vacant city property off U.S. Route 24 and Nofsinger Road in Washington is apparently off the table.

A legal opinion regarding a possible conflict of interest involving Washington Mayor Gary Manier and the foundation that's proposing to build a $12 million amphitheater in the city will not be released to the public.