City Council Hopes for N. University Street Revitalization
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: June 14, 2012
PEORIA- You can expect to see a lot of changes in the next year on North University Street.
"As you attract people to an area, then other people, other businesses will say, that's a pretty vital area, a lot of traffic around there. So they decide that's where they want to be as well," said Barbara Van Auken, the Peoria council member for the area around North University Street.
She said the new Golden Corral and renovated McDonalds are both doing extremely well, and a new Aldi is soon to come.
"So I think those kinds of things are synergistic and success really does breed success," Van Auken said.
Chris Hruby is the owner of the new Golden Corral. He said success is exactly what he's seen.
"Sales have been extremely strong, Peoria has welcomed us with open arms and we're happy to be here," he said.
Van Auken hopes that what attracted Hruby will also look good to others.
"The three main factors that we looked at were traffic numbers, retail square footage and then the residential areas and the right combination of those three strong factors as well as the revitalization that was happening in this area kind of tipped the scales towards us choosing this location," Hruby said.
Van Auken said if more businesses fill the empty spaces, it will mean more than just new places to eat and shop.
"Those are all jobs. Once the construction is done, once you have those construction jobs, then you have permanent jobs," she said.
As a proud Bradley University grad, Hruby said he feels close to the area, making it more than just business.
"It's exciting to be a part of that revitalization and the opportunity to bring 100 jobs to the area and it's been an exciting time for us," Hruby said.
Van Aucken said she's already seen economic growth and plans to see a lot more.
"As you attract people to an area, then other people, other businesses will say, that's a pretty vital area, a lot of traffic around there. So they decide that's where they want to be as well," said Barbara Van Auken, the Peoria council member for the area around North University Street.
She said the new Golden Corral and renovated McDonalds are both doing extremely well, and a new Aldi is soon to come.
"So I think those kinds of things are synergistic and success really does breed success," Van Auken said.
Chris Hruby is the owner of the new Golden Corral. He said success is exactly what he's seen.
"Sales have been extremely strong, Peoria has welcomed us with open arms and we're happy to be here," he said.
Van Auken hopes that what attracted Hruby will also look good to others.
"The three main factors that we looked at were traffic numbers, retail square footage and then the residential areas and the right combination of those three strong factors as well as the revitalization that was happening in this area kind of tipped the scales towards us choosing this location," Hruby said.
Van Auken said if more businesses fill the empty spaces, it will mean more than just new places to eat and shop.
"Those are all jobs. Once the construction is done, once you have those construction jobs, then you have permanent jobs," she said.
As a proud Bradley University grad, Hruby said he feels close to the area, making it more than just business.
"It's exciting to be a part of that revitalization and the opportunity to bring 100 jobs to the area and it's been an exciting time for us," Hruby said.
Van Aucken said she's already seen economic growth and plans to see a lot more.
