Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with friends, family and wonderful memories.
As we settle into 2015 and look forward to the coming year, we have a number of projects that await us. One of the pressing issues that is present is the disposition of the Washington School. As noted in a December email as well as in this issue, the Montessori Children’s Home of Peoria withdrew their offer for the purchase of the building. I believe the sentiment of our membership is disappointment that this didn’t work out as a school is a logical choice for use of the building and adds so much to the purpose of our neighborhood. We will work closely with Councilman Grayeb, Councilwoman Jensen and city staff to finding a suitable owner for the building.
One of our other projects will begin this spring. As you may have noted over the past few years, the neighborhood, particularly along Moss Avenue, has seen the installation of period-specific stop sign posts. The installation of these posts, which has been funded through the proceeds of the Moss Avenue Antique Sale & Festival, have added to the overall appeal of the neighborhood. Our plans for 2015 include requesting some additional stops signs deeper into the neighborhood along W. Ayres, W. Callendar, W. Barker, and along W. Windom in the Cottage District. Along with that, we are designating the area bounded by Moss, Western, Barker and Institute to have the current industrial stop sign poles replaced with period-specific poles similar to those along Moss Avenue. All of this is contingent upon city approval.
I wish all of you a prosperous New Year!
Brian Buralli