The city of East Peoria is one step closer to choosing a landscape design firm that will take on the streetscaping of the Downtown 2010 development project.
In February, the city sent out requests for design proposals to 21 regional and local firms, said Ty Livingston, director of planning and community development.
A total of 12 firms responded by the March 19 deadline.
While most firms were located in Illinois, he said, three were from out of state: Wisconsin, Missouri and Colorado.
“Since we received such a terrific response, it will take us some time to review the projects and then shortlist them for interviews,” Livingston said. “We intend to interview four to five firms that we feel best fit the overall development. Once interviews are completed later this month, we’ll be able to select a firm to develop the plan.”
Creating a “sense of place” is the goal of the streetscape design, said Livingston.
And in order to achieve this, the design will include many elements, such as landscaping, pavers, signage and facades, among many other features.
For instance, Livingston said dining could be permitted on sidewalks. Also, landscaping could include indigenous plants, which would double as storm water runoff collection points, called bio swales.
“The city is looking for the plan that will best address all of the elements to create a destination that people want to visit, work at and live in,” Livingston said. “This is an opportunity to create a development that is unlike anything else found in the area.”
The city has yet to assign a budget for the streetscape design, said Livingston. However, the proposals for the plan came in at $20,000 to $150,000.
Livingston said the city plans to seek all funding options available. Funding of the plan and its construction could be paid for through TIF funds and enhancement grants, among other sources.
“We have an opportunity here to essentially create a new downtown from the ground up,” Livingston said. “The goal is to not only make this area a valuable asset to the residents of East Peoria, but also provide a destination that’s an integral part of Central Illinois."
