And, unfortunately, rather dramatically. We lost over 5% of our population from 2000-2010. I was certain that we would not be gaining any population, but I was anticipating around a 3% drop. No such luck.
Much of this loss can be attributed to the loss of a number of our houses; torn down, normally, for commercial development. I believe we lost around 40 or so houses for the new Walgreen's; a few houses for the Liberty Plaza; and a dozen or so around where some development will be happening (soon, we hope) along War Memorial. There certainly is value to our land, but it appears to be more towards commercial rather than residential uses.
We have to try and do as much as we can to somehow grow the population over the coming decade. Why? Because so much of our federal dollars are based on population; population growth means a likelihood of an increase in students at our schools; and it's just a healthy way to grow.
It looks like our best possibility to increase our numbers will be in the condo and multi-family dwelling areas. We hope that the condo plan at Heritage Square and off of Gardner Lane will begin yet this year. The Cohen's building area is ripe for 2-4 story senior living complexes. We've called many developers; sent "feelers" out to many more; and there seems to be genuine interest, but like most major projects, not much will be happening until the economy gets out of its present doldrums.
The next several years will be a blueprint for the Peoria Heights of the near and far future. It's up to all of us to be as progressive as possible in building towards an even stronger community.
I'm all for growth as long as it is not Section 8 housing.
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