2010 will bring important developments and growth to our city, according to Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis. He spoke to a crowd of over 500 at the 2010 State of the City Address presented by the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by PSA Dewberry.

At the Holiday Inn City Centre in downtown Peoria, the mayor shared his vision on what's ahead in 2010 saying important economic development projects are on the horizon including "the downtown museum, our new Marriott Convention Hotel, Cancer Research Building at the U of I College of Medicine, new projects in the Warehouse District, Sheridan Village and continued commercial expansion near Northwoods Mall and the Shoppes at Grand Prairie."      

He also emphasized the need for collaboration on issues between the city, county and community. He said there were discussions regarding a combined city/county government model that some call UNIGOV. "Other cities like Indianapolis, Louisville and Lexington are part of a successful combined city-county government. We acknowledge that this won't happen overnight, and likely not in the next couple of years. Ultimately, it may be determined that there is no feasibility to doing this here, but I am convinced that we owe it to you and the rest of our citizenry to perform the due diligence and make that decision based on facts."

He assured the audience that they will see considerable discussion between local municipalities and our state representatives on the need for pension reform in 2010. He touted the success of the Peoria Race Relations Commission, Peoria Promise and the city's Sustainability Committee. Mayor Ardis also shed light on the 2010 city budget process saying the city was able to balance a $14.5 million deficit because the city leadership worked hard. "We took a hard look at each of our departments to analyze and prioritize what we're doing to decide if it's a core function and, if so, how we can do it more efficiently."

Education was also a key component of the 2010 State of the City Address. Interim District 150 Superintendent Norm Durflinger shared his thoughts on how to fix the district. He said it can be fixed but it will take a ‘no excuses' mentality and collaboration throughout the community.

The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce began hosting this event in 2002 as a way to keep the business community engaged in the state of the city. Event Coordinator Sarah Stabler says "It is important that the Chamber play a role in the communication between elected officials, the business community and the community at large and this event is a forum to do just that."

to download speech from Mayor Ardis click here

to download speech from Interim Superintendent Norm Durflinger click here.