PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – There’s a rich history behind the Mark Twain Hotel and Packard Plaza in Downtown Peoria. One that’s lasted nearly 100 years.
However, the plans to put the property up for auction have hospitality leaders in our area thinking this could have a huge impact on tourism.
“We need it to remain a hotel. Rates have recovered to pre-pandemic levels. It’s just a matter of doing business in hotels is still volatile,” said Discover Peoria President and CEO JD Dalfonso.
The National Packard Building, now the Packard Plaza, replaced a bathhouse on northeast Adams nearly 100 years ago. Next to it is the Mark Twain Hotel.
It’s another part of Peoria’s tourism history and often the first place tourists stay upon arrival to Downtown Peoria. Both buildings are next to each other.
But the selling of the pair, especially the Mark Twain, may have a big impact on hospitality services in Peoria.
“Finding ownership is going to be vital to make sure that the experience can be continued. And making sure that visitors coming in can have that experience if they so choose, and continue their business here in Peoria,” said Dalfonso.
Dalfonso said a lot has changed post-pandemic. He views this auction as another sign that the hospitality industry is still in a tough position nationwide.
The CEO added many employers had to pay their people more after the pandemic in order to attract and keep employees.
Peoria Downtown Development Corporation President Michael Freilinger issued a statement saying he’s looking forward to the future of the hotel.
He expects that both leisure and travel will have a resurgence to pre-pandemic levels in the future.
“Sometimes new eyes, new vision and new capital can enhance that to higher expectations than people have expected. So, I’m hopeful of that. I’m optimistic about that,” said JD Dalfonso.
The bidding for the property begins on September 19 and runs through September 21.
