Peoria Audubon Society is a local affiliate of both:
National Audubon Society & Illinois Audubon Society
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Present Status - 2010 Green Edge Plan With the economic downturn of 2008-2009, amid apparent lack of funding, the Green Edge plan has not taken off. The Board of the Peoria Audubon Society, as detailed in the attached letter from March 2008, will continue to support conservation efforts that benefit the public and the public access to nature. The Board of the Peoria Audubon Society continues to encourage dialog with community leaders for potential projects that promote harmony with nature for the general benefit of the public. |
Green Edge Development Proposal
Proposed in 2008 in Peoria, IL
In December 2007, Craig Hullinger, Economic Development Director for City of Peoria, came to the December Peoria Audubon Board Meeting to discuss potential economic developments in Peoria along the Illinois River. The discussion was to initiate a two-way dialog regarding the environmental impact of the proposed developments.
One of the plans, The Green Edge Plan, would connect Water Street with Grand View Drive with green space along the Illinois River. The contiguous riverbank location is presently owned by several land owners. This includes the City of Peoria, the Peoria Park District, and 5 or 6 commercial entities.
Two of the owners, the City of Peoria and Peoria Park District account for about half the proposed area. The Green Edge plan may include construction of an island or islands along the west bank of the river. The vision is to have walk ways going out to the islands such that the population would be in closer contact with nature.
The plan called for construction of several “condominium-style” units on the west edge of the green edge. A road would separate the “condos” from the green edge. Most of the existing bike path would remain intact. The “condos” would be adjacent to the low volume existing railway.
The vision for the “green edge road” would be to extend the south end of Grand View Drive on to downtown Peoria. The vision would be to provide a connection of the “River City” with the river.
Several Peoria Audubon Board members met a second time with the Peoria Planning Commission in January to provide more detailed discussion on the Green Edge Plan. Jason Beverlin, Conservation Chair of Peoria Audubon Society drafted a response. Then, Pete Fenner on behalf of the the Peoria Audubon Society Board submitted the following response (PDF) to the Peoria Planning Commission
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March 14, 2008
Peoria Planning Commission City of Peoria 456 Fulton St., Ste. 402 Peoria, IL 61602
To the Chairman and Members of the Peoria Planning Commission: RE: Green Edge Plan
The Peoria Audubon Society Board would like to thank you for providing us with the opportunity to review and comment on the Green Edge Plan located on Peoria Riverfront. Peoria Audubon Society is encouraged by the enthusiasm the City is showing for an important resource like the Illinois River.
We believe the pursuit of a public access trail along the river’s edge will improve quality of life for Peoria residents and supports conservation and nature based tourism. With the designation of the Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway, we feel that providing for public access to the river’s edge demonstrates the value this community places on the Illinois River.
We do have concerns with other portions of the Green Edge Plan. Our understanding is that a portion of publicly owned property would be used for the development of private condominium residences. Trading riverfront public ground for private benefit is a lot to ask of a community. It was mentioned that additional ground would be acquired as a result of the private development, but we have not been made aware of where that acquisition might take place and what size it would be. More information is needed on what the public will get in return for losing public space.
We do see some potential conservation benefits with islands in general, however more information is needed on the design and location before their conservation value can be fully understood. We do not believe that the proposed islands are an adequate trade for the lost public ground.
Again, thank you for providing the Peoria Audubon Society Board with the opportunity to review the Green Edge Plan.
Sincerely,
Pete Fenner, President Peoria Audubon Board Peoria Audubon Society 677 East High Point Terrace Peoria, IL 61614 |
