Peoria, Illinois, USA

SynergiCity


With a particular emphasis on the Rust Belt of the American Midwest, SynergiCity argues that cities such as Detroit, St. Louis, and Peoria must redefine themselves to be globally competitive. This revitalization is possible through environmentally and economically sustainable restoration of industrial areas and warehouse districts for commercial, research, light industrial, and residential uses. The volume's expert researchers, urban planners, and architects draw on the redevelopment successes of other major cities--such as the American Tobacco District in Durham, North Carolina, and the Milwaukee River Greenway--to set guidelines and goals for reinventing and revitalizing the postindustrial landscape.

Contributors are Paul J. Armstrong, Donald K. Carter, Lynne M. Dearborn, Norman W. Garrick, Mark L. Gillem, Robert Greenstreet, Craig Harlan Hullinger, Paul Hardin Kapp, Ray Lees, Emil Malizia, John O. Norquist, Christine Scott Thomson, and James H. Wasley.

"Instead of handing over neighborhoods to city hall or private developers, this book shows that the solution to many cities' plights lies within them. Empowering residents to take control of and build on community assets, engaging them in community-based organizations that can spearhead revitalization and build real quality of place, yields real results. To the extent that they adopt a holistic approach to planning and build on a city's intrinsic strengths, they can accomplish miracles."--from the foreword by Richard Florida
Hardcover $60.00 Buy Now

* Full Disclosure - Ray Lees and I wrote a chapter.





Most of my Future Posts will be made to: 





Peoria Riverfront Museum, Cat Visitors Center grand opening October 20, 2013

Peoria Riverfront Museum, Cat Visitors Center grand opening

Submitted by Alex Rusciano on Sat, 10/20/2012 

"Hundreds of people attended the grand opening of the Peoria Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center. Both projects total about $200 million, with the museum project first talked about more than 12 years ago. US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised the collaboration between the city, county, lawmakers and business investment that made the project a reality: "

“The people that are gathered here continued to work
The Plan
until we came together around the idea that we have so much history in this community and so much to share with the world and the world community that will come here as a result of Caterpillar being here, within our state and community, we need one place and one place only, and that’s what we’re celebrating here today,” LaHood says."

"The Riverfront Museum includes a digital big screen theatre, planetarium and exhibits showcasing the history of Central Illinois. The Caterpillar Visitors Center includes a movie theatre inside a D-797 mining truck and exhibits detailing the company's outreach across the world."

Click to read more

 Time Lapse Video of the Construction


Green Sculpture Park



“GREEN” SCULPTURE PARK - PEORIA, ILLINOIS


The City of Peoria has many quality sculptures. The City is also leading the expansion of “Green” Technology and Sustainability. A Green Sculpture Park could be developed that would be artistic and “green”, incorporating recycled materials, wind and solar energy, etc. into the design. 


A program modeled on the successful Sioux Falls, South Dakota program could be created.www.sculpturewalksiouxfalls.com . Each year new sculptures are displayed in downtown for one year, and become a tourist attraction. After one year the sculptures are replaced by new sculptures. The sculptures are for sale and people vote for their favorite.

The Civic Center could sponsor this event, with sculptures mounted in Civic Center green space. As the event grew it could cascade down Fulton and on to the Build the Block Campus.http://buildtheblock.com. 

The sculptures would be a major tourist attraction.


The Green Sculpture Park Could start small on the green space at the Civic Center, then expand down Fulton Street to Build the Block and the River.



Build the Block - Congratulations




  1. Build the Block Looks Great. 

    Congratulations to everyone who 

    helped make it a reality


    Peoria Riverfront Museum

    www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/
    LIVE SHOTS FROM BUILD THE BLOCK CAM. Build The Block Camera. 

  2. Build the Block Camera

    www.buildtheblockcam.com/
    BuildTheBlockCam.com provides a near, real-time view into the transformation of seven acres on the Peoria, Illinois riverfront. 






Warehouse District

Munster, Indiana Landscaping Improvements








Central Illinois Perspective


Central Illinois Perspective
InterBusiness Issues
art & society
Peoria Progress
peoriamagazines.com

News

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria held a topping off ceremony on Monday, June 11th, for the new Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center. The center will utilize the latest innovations in simulation education to train physicians and medical professionals across the region. It is funded in part by a $25 million gift from Jump Trading, a Chicago-based proprietary trading firm. At the ceremony, Dr. John Vozenilek was introduced as the center’s chief medical officer.
Peoria Promise: Twive and ReceiveOn Thursday, June 14th, the Peoria Promise Foundation will compete in Twive and Receive (pronounced like “Give and Receive”), a one-day social media-based fundraising contest to support nonprofits in cities across the country. The top three charities that raise the most donations will get an additional share of $30,000 prize money. On June 14th, go topeoriapromise.org and make a donation, and spread the word to friends and family. Visit TwiveAndReceive.org for more information on the competition.
Goodwill of Central Illinois will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its newest store at 3905 N. University in Peoria on Friday, June 15th, at 9am. The grand opening celebration runs through Saturday and includes food and a drawing for a 50” plasma TV and other items. The new store replaces the Goodwill store on War Memorial, which has closed. For more information, visit goodwillpeo.org or call            (309) 682-1113      .
Season tickets for the 2012-2013 Broadway Theater Series at the Peoria Civic Center are on sale now. The new season features eight of the finest in national touring productions, including one week of Mary Poppins in October and two weeks ofJersey Boys in February. The season also features Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight, Bette Midler Presents: Priscilla, Disney’s Beauty And The Beast, Billy Elliot, Green Day’s American Idiot and West Side Story. Adult season tickets range from $284 to $560. Visit the Peoria Civic Center Box Office or call(            309 673-3200      .
Wheels O’ Time Museum held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for its new building, which will include both workshop and display areas. The museum has formed an alliance with the Early Ford V-8 Club, which will be responsible for rotating displays of Ford cars from various eras in the new display area. For more information, visit wheelsotime.org or call             (309) 243-9020      .
   
Who's Who in Business 2012
 

Events

Wednesday, June 13th to Thursday, June 21st @ Expo Gardens
The 63rd annual Heart of Illinois Fair comes to Expo Gardens with a variety of new events, including a BBQ contest, 5K, bags tournament, family fun zone, and more. Visit heartofillinoisfair.com for more info.
Midstate CollegeThursday, June 14th @ Constitution Garden
The City of Peoria will hold its annual program for National Flag Day beginning at 5pm. A “Pause for the Pledge” will be held at 6pm, followed by a flag folding and retirement ceremony. Constitution Garden is located at the foot of Morton Street in Peoria.
Tuesday, June 19th @ Peoria Civic Center
The Heart of Illinois Chapter of the American Society for Training & Development presents “Techniques for Game-Changing Measurement and Evaluation Design” with Dr. Ken Phillips, founder and CEO of Phillips Associates, from 11am to 1pm in Room 401. Register atastdhoi.org.
Tuesday, June 19th @ Peoria Public Library Lincoln Branch
The Peoria Public Library will host a Juneteenth Celebration from 6:30 to8pm to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States. The event will include poetry, drama, singing and more. Call             (309) 497-2600      .
Thursday, June 14th @ various locations
The Peoria Garden Club will present its bi-yearly fundraiser, “Garden Glories,” featuring tours of five private gardens and Luthy Botanical Garden. Gardens are open to the public and available for viewing starting at 10am. For more info, call            (309) 822-8746      .
Friday, June 15th & Saturday, June 16th @ Peoria Riverfront
The Steamboat Festival takes place at the Riverfront in Festival Park in Peoria, featuring a carnival, food fair, music and family-friendly entertainment. The 4M, 15K and 4K races begin on Saturday at 7am. For more info, visit steamboatclassic.org.


2012 Greater Peoria Economic Scorecard
 

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