(KDB Group)
PEORIA, Ill. The Peoria Women’s Club has received a donation of $1 million from entrepreneur and developer Kim Blickenstaff to help restore the historic building.
In 2019, Blickenstaff donated $500,000 to the Women’s Club, while challenging others to help with the effort to refurbish the 130-year-old building.
The cornerstone of the 11,000-square foot structure was cemented into place in 1893, and dedicated in 1894.
The Peoria Women’s Club was granted historic landmark status in 2014.
Projects slated for this year at the Women’s Club include a new roof and the renovation of the 432-seat theater.
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Developer Kim Blickenstaff believes President Joe Biden s infrastructure plan offers a unique opportunity to create new green space to bridge the gap between downtown Peoria and the North Valley.
WCBU s Tim Shelley spoke with him about his InterPlay Park concept.
TIM SHELLEY: What is InterPlay Park? How did this whole idea come about?
KIM BLICKENSTAFF: Well, about two years ago, I was down at the Women s Club, and it abuts onto I-74. And I had seen an old picture of before I-74 was there. They had a nice big, lawn. Used to have outdoor events. And, of course, that two years ago, there would be no funding for this. And then the infrastructure bill is coming along. And I think there s consensus that, you know, roads and bridges are important to fund and in fact, one of the examples in the proposed bill is I-81 in Syracuse, New York that
WCBU s On Deck has everything you need to know to start your day for Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Our top story is about how the Illinois Pollution Control Board has finalized rules to create a comprehensive framework for the detection and clean-up of coal ash contamination in groundwater. You ll also hear how developer Kim Blickenstaff believes President Joe Biden s infrastructure plan offers a unique opportunity to create new green space in downtown Peoria.
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Q&A: Kim Blickenstaff Sees InterPlay Park As A Green Bridge Reconnecting Downtown to North Valley peoriapublicradio.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from peoriapublicradio.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
PEORIA – The Scottish Rite Cathedral is nearly ready for its second act.
KDB Group, which purchased the historic Peoria building in 2019, is putting the finishing touches on its extensive $5 million restoration of the city’s newest performing arts venue.
Numerous local performance groups have expressed interest in using the historic building, said Jenny Parkhurst, performing arts director for KDB Group, who hopes to attract everything from traveling road shows to local community fundraising events and weddings into the venue.
“Our grand opening will be announced in the near future, and we will have a kind of community welcome into the building,” said Parkhurst. “We will invite the public to come in and take a tour, and at that time will announce our programing for the year.”