Renamed Road Upsets Former Business Owner

PEORIA--The decision to rename a city parkway isn't sitting well with the man whose name will soon be removed from the sign.

Last month Peoria City Council voted to change the street off Allen Road to one name.

Currently it's divided.

Half the road is Van Winkle Way, the other half is Sud Parkway.

The city says the change will make the road consistent.

But Gian Sud, the former owner of a nearby car dealership says he invested a lot of money in the community.

He says having his name taken down is devastating to him and his family.

"I am a local businessman, I still have the land, I still intend to develop it, and I still like Peoria," said Sud.  "It's a good city, so is Bloomington.  Why?  Why change the name?  There's no reason for that."

"I understand where he's coming from, but a decision was made and I think it was the best decision and from what I can tell it's a decision that will be upheld by the council," said Peoria City Councilman Dan Irving.

The former suds dealership is now owned by Autohaus.

The city says the change will be less confusing for customers.

A new sign is expected to go up in a few weeks.