Welcome back Pekin!  This is our third edition and from the communication I have received from several members in our community, this paper has been a hit. Last month I wrote an article to discuss communication and different ways we try to get information out from City Hall. I received a request from Mr. Bradford asking about growth and what new establishments are coming to Pekin. Thank you, Mr. Bradford, for your input and communication. I am thanking you because it made me slow down a bit to get some information that I think many might be a little surprised to hear.

Earlier this year the mayor provided her state of the city address. At that time her main message was that Pekin is growing. At the time many things were in the works, but we truly did not know what to expect for this upcoming year. Fast forward a few short months and we are on a roll. Yes, Pekin is certainly growing! 

Let’s start with Cullinan Properties. Many said this would not happen. Well…it is happening. I can state we have the plans in the approval process for Five Below. There are other stores coming as well that will formally be announced soon. Three retail establishments are confirmed, but I am seeing others nearing agreement and I am very excited for this growth in Pekin and these stores that are coming. 

Several of our commercial businesses are expanding in the Riverway Business Park. They too are successful and growing. There are other commercial developers that we are in various stages of negotiation and we anticipate making some major announcements in the very near future as well. We continue to receive inquiries for our downtown and we consistently work with the Pekin Mainstreet to grow this opportunity.

What really surprised me is housing. Love it or hate it the TIF is working for us. All of last year we only had permits for eight (8) homes to be built. As of the time that this article is being written there are 15 new homes being developed, and more are in various stages of review and will likely break ground this year. The Chief Building Official is running like crazy to complete necessary inspections, but this is good news and a strong indicator of growth for our community.

So, contrary to what some of the negative is that we may hear, Pekin is growing and we are on a positive path forward. Mr. Bradford we are working on restaurants and I will update all when I have some of this information to share, but many good things are happening in Pekin so stay tuned.