Kip Strasma, president of the Downtown Living Neighborhood Association (DLNA) says, “With hundreds of people potentially moving downtown in 2016 and 2017, the DLNA is working to produce a resident ‘welcome packet.’ The idea is to provide helpful information about downtown amenities and services, while providing incentives from businesses to patronize locally.”

While not comprehensive, Strasma’s list of attractions includes the Farmer’s Market (Peoria RiverFront Association), Running Central, the Caterpillar Visitor’s Center, Emack and Bolio’s Ice Cream, Two25, Kelleher’s, the Sculpture Walk, Contemporary Art Center, Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria Park District summer events and festivals like “Red, White and Boom,” 401 Café, Jazz BeCAUSE (the Waterhouse Broadway Lounge), CEFCU Jazz Thursdays, the Peoria Municipal Band, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Rivermen, Peoria Chiefs, the RiverPlex, the Riverfront Trail, and new restaurants such as New Amsterdam, Thyme and Blue Duck; as well as familiar places like Rhythm Kitchen.

“We have so much to offer downtown with our new streetscapes on Washington, Adams and Jefferson,” Strasma says. “The goal is to provide a compelling reason for residents to stay downtown and tell their friends to move as well.”

The Center Bluff Neighborhood Association will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 11 at St. Paul Baptist Church on Forrest Hill Avenue, reports president Sharon Draper.

“We will be hosting someone from Public Works to speak on the issues surrounding the CSO [Combined Sewer Overflow] and provide some ideas as to how the city can address this important issue,” she said. “Attendance is important.”

Mary Genzel from the Jackson Corners Neighborhood Association says the group will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 7 in the upper level of the Coroner’s office at 501 E. Gift Ave. where Nick Stouffer from the City of Peoria Public Works Department will speak.