Pekin Loans $2-Million for Mall Renovation
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: December 11, 2012
PEKIN- Pekin City Council approved a $2-million loan for upgrades to Bergners and other parts of East Court Village.
The Bergners has been around since the 1970s and shoppers say it's time to touch it up.
"Yeah it's due for an upgrade," said shopper, Connie Bleichner.
"Every once in a while the buckets are set around in the walk ways, catching the leaks. It definitely would make it more pleasurable," said Helen Bernshausen as she came out of Bergners.
Soon parts of East Court Village might look shiny and new. Cullinan plans to renovate the inside of Bergners along with the roof at Big Lots.
"I think it would mean a lot. I think Pekin needs a lot of upgrades, I think this would be a good start," said shopper Brandi Morris.
Cullinan also plans to use the money to improve the parking lots, lighting, sidewalks and landscaping. Bleichner says she thinks it will be a draw.
"If they would update it, obviously I think people would come here more an spend more money at the stores in the area," she said.
The Cullinan said this money means Bergners will continue to be an anchor at East Court Village through 2022.
"I'm real glad that this Bergners will be fixed up and ready to stay here many more years," Bernshausen said.
Pekin City Councilman John McCabe said he opposes the loan. He said the city has "no business being a bank," and that something could go wrong if they can't pay the loan back. Macabe said he thinks this is no way to conduct business.
Bleichner said if it's going to help stores in the area, she didn't see anything wrong with the city giving Cullinan a loan.
Cullinan said most of the upgrades will be finished by November, 2013.
The Bergners has been around since the 1970s and shoppers say it's time to touch it up.
"Yeah it's due for an upgrade," said shopper, Connie Bleichner.
"Every once in a while the buckets are set around in the walk ways, catching the leaks. It definitely would make it more pleasurable," said Helen Bernshausen as she came out of Bergners.
Soon parts of East Court Village might look shiny and new. Cullinan plans to renovate the inside of Bergners along with the roof at Big Lots.
"I think it would mean a lot. I think Pekin needs a lot of upgrades, I think this would be a good start," said shopper Brandi Morris.
Cullinan also plans to use the money to improve the parking lots, lighting, sidewalks and landscaping. Bleichner says she thinks it will be a draw.
"If they would update it, obviously I think people would come here more an spend more money at the stores in the area," she said.
The Cullinan said this money means Bergners will continue to be an anchor at East Court Village through 2022.
"I'm real glad that this Bergners will be fixed up and ready to stay here many more years," Bernshausen said.
Pekin City Councilman John McCabe said he opposes the loan. He said the city has "no business being a bank," and that something could go wrong if they can't pay the loan back. Macabe said he thinks this is no way to conduct business.
Bleichner said if it's going to help stores in the area, she didn't see anything wrong with the city giving Cullinan a loan.
Cullinan said most of the upgrades will be finished by November, 2013.
