PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis on Wednesday delivered his final “State of the City” address, but it was more of an optimistic projection of the city’s future than a sentimental reflection of the past.
Ardis name dropped a number of new projects and organizations he said point to a bright future for the city.
He said he expects Distillery Labs, located in the former Illinois Central College Thomas Building and a member of the Illinois Innovation Network, to be the “hub of our area’s entrepreneurial environment.”
Ardis touted the work of OSF HealthCare, and its acquisition of the former Caterpillar LD Building and converted it to OSF OnCall.
“Eventually, about 400 [people] will work at that location and bring much needed energy and vitality to our downtown,” he said.
“It’s essentially a hospital without walls. This technology-intensive space will be the new hub for electronically based care programs for OSF HealthCare facilities throughout Illinois and Michigan.”
He also mentioned the groundbreaking on the OSF St. Francis Comprehensive Cancer Center, located at the former Allied Agencies building off Armstrong Ave.
“One of the hallmarks of the center will be proton beam therapy. This will be just the second center in Illinois and the newest of only 32 in all of North America,” he said.
Construction on the $250 million center depends on fundraising, though he added the goal is to begin treating patients at the center by 2023.
Finally on the OSF front, Ardis talked about what called “perhaps the most anticipated event downtown,” the opening of the ministry headquarters in the historic Block & Kuhl building.
“Hundreds of good paying construction jobs have benefited our local economy with this major project,” he said.
“If construction stays on schedule, the opening could be a great Christmas present for us this year.”
When the building is fully occupied, around 800 people will work there.
Ardis thanked UnityPoint for its COVID-19 efforts over the past year, pointing to many thousands of vaccinations already administered and UnityPlace’s use of telehealth for mental health purposes brought on by the pandemic.
Outside the medical community, Ardis mentioned the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, colloquially known as the Ag Lab, calling it a “unique asset” to Peoria.
It employs over 200 people and has been funded in no small part by a $32 million federal investment.
“Per USDA information service, each dollar invested in ag research results in $17 of economic impact,” he said.
“So do the math. $32 million times $17 means our ag lab has a half a billion dollar impact on our economy.”
The mayor said the efforts of people like Strand Therapeutics CEO and Peoria native Jake Becraft to bring biomanufacturing to Peoria will be key not only to the local economy but to being at the forefront of combating future pandemics.
Ardis wrapped up his shoutouts by praising the Peoria Promise program that currently has over 350 students at Illinois Central College on track to graduate in the spring.
He concluded his remarks by encouraging Peorians to spend their money at local establishments and to support local non-profits, when possible.
Ardis thanked city councils on which he’s either served or that have served under him before offering a final quote, courtesy of NFL player JJ Watt.
“Whether we realize it or not, we’re affecting everyone around us with our every move. The more we can shine a light on the positivity and good there is in this world, the better off we’re going to be,” he began.
“We all have to go through this crazy journey together, so why not help each other out and make it as great of a journey as possible? Take a moment and ask yourself, ‘how can I make a difference?’
“When you have your answer, go out and do it.”
He then thanked the public for giving him the opportunity to serve.
