PEKIN, Ill. — During Tuesday night’s meeting city leaders approve a redevelopment project.
The project will be to stabilize the current structure located at 353 Court Street, and Pizza Peel will move into the first floor of the facility.
Pekin Mayor Mark Luft said the building is in tact, but the project will have to begin from scratch.
“Which is finding someone who is interesting in the building, like 353 LLC, the have to be willing to come in, and initially invest their own money,” Luft said. “Then you go through the process of uniting with the city on a project.”
The estimated cost for the project is $742,000, and the goal for the first floor to be completed is within 16-20 weeks.
Luft said that this project will help benefit the community.
“It shows that things are changing here, and that news businesses are willing to come in to Pekin now. And that there’s new teams and new efforts being made to lessen the red tape, to be more active as a city with working with these businesses, and making these deals happen,” Luft said.
One concern that comes with a new restaurant moving in is enough spaces for parking.
“But, that’s a good thing because five years ago we were not discussing those problems. So, you have to look at it with a positive aspect. The county has been great with working with us,” Luft said.
The project has been in the works for almost two years, according to Luft.
“It’s a great thing to watch. It’s a lot of work. But, it’s a great thing to watch it all come to light and see new directions,” Luft said.
