|
|
|
When it comes to the fate of Route 8 and the dilapidated Sunnyland Plaza, the people have spoken, and city officials are listening.
In a collaborative effort between the cities of Washington and East Peoria and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, a survey was conducted to see what people in the community would and would not like to see in Sunnyland and their ideas for improvements.
Washington planning and development director, Jon Oliphant, said he is happy with the response received from 267 residents and 10 area businesses from surveys that were posted on the two cities’ Web sites.
“There is definitely an interest in the corridor and the plaza,” Oliphant said. “The plaza is certainly the focal point on the Route 8 corridor.”
He said people in the community mainly asked for chain restaurants like Chili’s, Applebee’s and TGI Friday’s, and a grocery store such as Aldi or Hy-Vee.
“There were a few different people that asked for some type of recreational amenity like a roller rink or a dance club that would be geared toward junior high-aged kids,” Oliphant said.
Not only do people want to see the half-empty Sunnyland Plaza brimming with shops, restaurants and a grocery store, they want to see an improvement in building facades, lighting and signage throughout the corridor.
Ty Livington, East Peoria’s director of planning and community development, said a streetscape plan will be developed from the survey’s input.
Sunnyland Plaza currently houses GKC Sunnyland Cinemas and Dollar General. The businesses take up about half of the plaza’s square-footage.
The fate of the plaza “really has an impact on the other businesses on the corridor,” Oliphant said.
Businesses found along the corridor include a Mobil gas station, Arby’s, Family Video and Casey’s General Store.
“The overall identity of the corridor needs sprucing up,” said Oliphant. “We want to make it a more inviting area for people to shop and work.”
Currently, reconstruction work is in progress on Route 8 in East Peoria. Oliphant said work to widen the road in Washington from two to five lanes should start within the next couple years, depending on the approval of funding.
“The number of vacancies and lack of shopping and dining options is a challenge,” said Livingston.
About five years ago, Sullivan’s grocery store anchored the plaza. CVS also called the plaza home, but after CVS opened a store at the corner of Wilmor Road and Peoria Street in Washington, the Sunnyland pharmacy closed. Shortly thereafter, Sullivan’s closed its doors as well.
“People miss the grocery store,” said Livingston.
Livingston also said the expansion of Summit Drive will provide a direct north/south route to Highway 24, and more traffic to the Route 8 corridor.
Oliphant said the next step is to have a meeting focused on business owners and residents in the area to present draft findings. The meeting could be as early as this month.
When it comes to the fate of Route 8 and the dilapidated Sunnyland Plaza, the people have spoken, and city officials are listening.
In a collaborative effort between the cities of Washington and East Peoria and the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, a survey was conducted to see what people in the community would and would not like to see in Sunnyland and their ideas for improvements.
Washington planning and development director, Jon Oliphant, said he is happy with the response received from 267 residents and 10 area businesses from surveys that were posted on the two cities’ Web sites.
“There is definitely an interest in the corridor and the plaza,” Oliphant said. “The plaza is certainly the focal point on the Route 8 corridor.”
He said people in the community mainly asked for chain restaurants like Chili’s, Applebee’s and TGI Friday’s, and a grocery store such as Aldi or Hy-Vee.
“There were a few different people that asked for some type of recreational amenity like a roller rink or a dance club that would be geared toward junior high-aged kids,” Oliphant said.
Not only do people want to see the half-empty Sunnyland Plaza brimming with shops, restaurants and a grocery store, they want to see an improvement in building facades, lighting and signage throughout the corridor.
Ty Livington, East Peoria’s director of planning and community development, said a streetscape plan will be developed from the survey’s input.
Sunnyland Plaza currently houses GKC Sunnyland Cinemas and Dollar General. The businesses take up about half of the plaza’s square-footage.
The fate of the plaza “really has an impact on the other businesses on the corridor,” Oliphant said.
Businesses found along the corridor include a Mobil gas station, Arby’s, Family Video and Casey’s General Store.
“The overall identity of the corridor needs sprucing up,” said Oliphant. “We want to make it a more inviting area for people to shop and work.”
Currently, reconstruction work is in progress on Route 8 in East Peoria. Oliphant said work to widen the road in Washington from two to five lanes should start within the next couple years, depending on the approval of funding.
“The number of vacancies and lack of shopping and dining options is a challenge,” said Livingston.
About five years ago, Sullivan’s grocery store anchored the plaza. CVS also called the plaza home, but after CVS opened a store at the corner of Wilmor Road and Peoria Street in Washington, the Sunnyland pharmacy closed. Shortly thereafter, Sullivan’s closed its doors as well.
“People miss the grocery store,” said Livingston.
Livingston also said the expansion of Summit Drive will provide a direct north/south route to Highway 24, and more traffic to the Route 8 corridor.
Oliphant said the next step is to have a meeting focused on business owners and residents in the area to present draft findings. The meeting could be as early as this month.
