UPDATED 3:29 P.M.
PEORIA, Ill. – After getting the cold shoulder from city leaders in Washington, the Hengst Foundation is seeking to take a major project across the river.
The Hengst Foundation and Peoria have held talks regarding a proposed amphitheater on the riverfront. Hengst withdrew the project from Washington in May after city leaders balked at the idea, with one sticking point the lack of a feasibility study.
A formal presentation by Hengst to the Peoria City Council will come in the near future.
City Manager Patrick Urich says the foundation reached out to the city after conversations between both sides occurred. Those discussions included adding the amphitheater as part of the Riverfront Plan, a renovation project approved in 2023.
Urich tells WMBD’s “The Phil Luciano Show” that those conversations centered on one potential location for the amphitheater.
“One of the things that we talked about and where we’ve zeroed in on is that Festival Park was the area that we’ve traditionally used for concerts and festivals and activities, and we talked about could an amphitheater help enhance what we’re doing on the Riverfront. And this certainly could do it,” Urich said.
Urich says part of that plan would be taking away CEFCU Stage to make it a part of Festival Park, and possibly building a larger band shell. He says, even though designs are still in the works, a potential amphitheater could face the Murray Baker Bridge. Urich cited a recent concert by Cake that had the stage facing the bridge, with around 5,500 people in attendance.
Urich notes that one concern with the design is having it withstand potential flooding on the riverfront. The previous plans in Washington called for a staging area in the back of the amphitheater, which Urich says may not be possible on the riverfront.
Urich also says the amount of seats would also have to be worked out, and how many seats would be permanent and how many would be temporary. He says the city would want temporary seating, in order to have park space in the area. Urich says a “sweet spot” for capacity would be around 5,000 seats.
The amphitheater would be a restricted donation to Peoria from the Hengst Foundation. Urich says that even though it would be city property after its completion, Hengst would want some requirements for the construction, such as design and construction companies.
One of the main holdups with the Washington amphitheater project was the lack of a feasibility study, which city council members wanted to see before a commitment was made to the project. Urich says such a study would not necessarily be needed.
“We’ve had a long standing agreement to work with the (Peoria) Park District where they operate and maintain the Riverfront for us,” Urich said. “And so we would work with them on programming and activities.”
In addition to concerts and events, Urich also pictures some events that were held at the Heart of Illinois Fair to be held at a potential amphitheater on the Riverfront.
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PEORIA, Ill. – After a proposal to build an amphitheater in Washington was taken off the table, the City of Peoria and the Hengst Foundation are in discussions regarding the Foundation’s intent to make a restricted donation to build one on the Peoria Riverfront.
A release from the Hengst Foundation says the amphitheater would enhance the adopted Peoria Riverfront Master Plan, providing an unparalleled community benefit.
A formal presentation to the Peoria City Council is expected soon. Plans for the donation would require the council’s approval.
Hengst Foundation says more information will be released as talks progress.
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