The Peoria City Council has given the green light to a significant $11 million project that will transform a stretch of riverfront green space into an outdoor amphitheater, funded by a generous donation from the Hengst Foundation. In addition, the council unanimously approved emergency funding of up to $300,000 for the New Hope Apartments to address damage from recent fires.
Key Takeaways
- An $11 million outdoor amphitheater, named the Dee Amphitheater, is set to be built along the Illinois River, funded by the Hengst Foundation.
- The amphitheater’s design will be inspired by the Murray Baker Bridge and will feature a capacity of 5,000.
- Up to $300,000 in emergency funding has been allocated to the New Hope Apartments to repair fire alarm systems and prevent tenant displacement.
Iconic Riverfront Amphitheater Takes Shape
The proposed amphitheater, slated for the open green space between the Murray Baker Bridge and the Peoria RiverPlex, received unanimous approval from the Peoria City Council. The $11 million project is made possible by a donation from the Hengst Foundation. The design, modeled after the structure of the Murray Baker Bridge, aims to be an “iconic” addition to the riverfront.
Council members expressed strong enthusiasm for the preliminary designs presented by Terra Engineering and Epstein Global. Mayor Rita Ali praised the incorporation of bridge elements into the stage design, calling it “very beautiful.”
The facility, to be named the Dee Amphitheater in honor of Jim Hengst’s late wife, will have a capacity of 5,000, utilizing a combination of removable seats and lawn seating. The venue is planned to include a riverside band shell, festival grounds, concessions, and support facilities. Due to its location in the river’s flood plain, temporary and removable seating will be necessary.
The project’s location on Riverfront Park land, originally acquired through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources from the National Parks Service, adds a layer of complexity. The approval process will involve design review by the city, preliminary approval from the Hengst Foundation, and final approval from the National Park Service and IDNR. The City of Peoria will ultimately own the completed amenity.
Emergency Funding for New Hope Apartments
In a separate but equally critical decision, the council approved emergency funding of up to $300,000 for the New Hope Apartments, a permanent supportive housing residence. This funding is a response to multiple intentionally set fires that have rendered the building’s fire alarm system inoperable.
The immediate need for funding stems from the necessity of maintaining fire watch teams to prevent the displacement of residents, especially as winter approaches. Community Development Director Joe Dulin noted that the building is currently uninsured, and the latest fire left 34 apartments uninhabitable, forcing 22 tenants to temporarily reside in the auditorium.
While the American Red Cross of Illinois is providing temporary assistance, their support is set to conclude on December 18th. The emergency funds will cover security guards and the 24/7 fire watch teams through the end of February, costing approximately $225,000. The remaining $75,000 will be used for further assistance to tenants who will need to be relocated.
The funding is being drawn from the city’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) balance. Phoenix Community Development Services, which operates New Hope, has been facing financial challenges due to federal rental subsidies not keeping pace with fair market rents, making it difficult to cover essential expenses and major repairs.
