Construction is now underway for a $16 million parking deck for Methodist Medical Center. The deck, bordered by Hamilton, Main and Glen Oak, is part of the $350 million campus replacement plan announced earlier.  The six-level 270,000-square-foot structure will have a capacity of 600 cars and will feature a covered skywalk that will connect the new deck to a new hospital entrance located on Hamilton Blvd.“We are excited to begin this new phase in our campus renovation project,” said Methodist President and CEO Michael Bryant. “Convenience is important to our patients and visitors, and this new deck and new entrance will make it easier than ever for people to access their healthcare at Methodist.” 

The new deck is expected to be completed in late summer of 2009 and will eventually replace an existing deck located at Hamilton and Glen Oak. 

Turner Construction is the construction manager working with River City Construction, JA Fritch and Son, Oberlander Electric, Mechanical Inc. and the Pipco Companies. 

Both valet and self-parking will be available in the new deck.

Councilman Jim Montelongo will be hosting two neighborhood meetings to discuss the proposed Lynnhurst Subdivision Ornamental Street Lighting Improvement Project.

The meetings will be held at the Gym of the Charter Oak School at 5221 W. Timberedge Dr. on Thursday, October 2nd and Friday, October 3rd beginning at 5:30 p.m. both nights.

 Those interested in the proposed project are invited to attend the meetings. The purpose of the meetings is to solicit comments, concerns and recommendations on the proposed ornamental lighting improvement of Lynnhurst Subdivision. The goal is to arrive at a compromise on the project that all residents can be confortable with.

For more info, call the Dept. of Public Works at 309-494-8800

In response to concerns about severe heat and humidity in August, the National Night Out Against Crime (NNO) event in Peoria was celebrated on September 15^th this year. Thirty neighborhood associations and four neighborhood watch groups participated this year.

Although it was a successful event, there was some citizen concern that the September date may have conflicted with school events, prevented some youth and parents from participating, as well as concern regarding the reduced daylight causing events to end sooner than planned.

The National Association of Town Watch, which sponsors this event, has announced that in 2009, the NNO will be held on August 4^th, 2009.

Citizens are encouraged to take a brief online survey to share their opinion of when NNO should be celebrated in Peoria at www.ci.peoria.il.us; go to News & Events and follow directions to the survey. Survey results will be released in early November.

For more info, call Steve Fairbanks at 494-8603.

The Patching work has been completed on North University St. between Glen Avenue and Northmoor Road. A leveling binder will be installed on Friday, September 26th. Manholes will be adjusted on Monday, September 29th. Asphalt paving will start on Tuesday, September 30th, which should be completed by the end of the week. Traffic will be reduced to one lane for the duration of this work.

Many Peoria County water wells have been exposed to flood waters which can pose a public health hazard.  Flood waters carry contaminants such as parasites, bacteria and viruses from backed up septic systems and other sources.  All wells that have been exposed to flood waters need to be tested prior to use to help ensure the water is safe to drink.

The Peoria City/County Health Department is working with Peoria County Emergency Management Agency to provide test kits free of charge to residents with wells that have been exposed to floods.  The kits are available at the Chillicothe Community Fire Department, 217 Chestnut, Chillicothe, from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.  Test kits will also be available at the Peoria City/County Health Dept., 2116 N. Sheridan, Peoria, from 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 After flooding, it is recommended to have your total system checked by a qualified electrician, well contractor, or pump contractor. For additional tips and information regarding floods and water wells, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website at www.idph.state.il.us , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/wellsdisinfect.asp , or contact the Peoria City/County Health Department at (309)679-6161. 

Two upcoming candidates nights:
 
Monday Sept 29^th at 6:00 p.m. at the Ward AME Chapel at 511 Richard Allen Drive, sponsored by the NAACP and will feature the candidates for the 18th District Congressional representative to Congress.
 
Monday October 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the Ward AME Chapel at 511 Richard Allen Drive, sponsored by the NAACP and will feature the candidates for State Attorney.
 

The newest Neighborhood Watch Group is hosting a Neighborhood Watch Kick off to celebrate at the 700 block of East Seneca Place. The Kick Off is from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. TONIGHT, September 25th.

   The Peoria Park District will be celebrating Year 6 of the magical world of Harry Potter. Return to Hogwarts will be held on Saturday, September 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Glen Oak Park Amphitheatre. The cost is $4.00 per person.

            This event will be bigger and better than last year. Children of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in several of the classes that Harry has taken. However, aside from the magic, we will be teaching science, conservation, and more. You will study potions with the American Chemical Society, catch up on some reading in the Restricted section of the Peoria Public Library, and study the night sky with the Lakeview Museum.

            You may also take a tour of Grimmauld Place, the Ministry of Magic, tour Hagrid’s Hut, play some wizard’s chess, and check out transfiguration with the local Recycling Center.

            It is the goal of this event to use the fanciful world of Hogwarts to provide several different learning opportunities that encourage our audience to understand the importance of plants and animals. When all the classes have ended the children and their families will be invited to stay for the fifth movie in the Harry Potter series:  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. 

           This event will be full of entertainment and fun for the entire family. For more information call 688-3667.

The
Peoria Park District’s Tri-centennial Playground in Glen Oak Park will be closed for routine maintenance September 29 – October 10. The playground is scheduled to re-open on Saturday, October 11.

            Approximately twenty National City Bank employees will abandon their calculators for other tools such as rakes and paintbrushes on Wednesday, September 24 to assist the Peoria Park District staff in various projects. This marks the fifth consecutive year that National City Bank, dedicated to supporting the local community, will close all branches except the drive-through at 1:00 pm for their annual Workday benefiting several local organizations.  All employees in the Peoria, Morton, Germantown Hills, and Pekin area are involved in the community projects.

               National City employees assisting the Peoria Park District will be doing mulching and other maintenance work on the trail in Detweiller Park, as well as touching up paint at Owens Center in Lakeview Park.  National City Bank is not only providing the labor for this Park District project, but will also present the Park District with a check for $500.00 to underwrite a portion of the materials.   In past years, National City employees have assisted the Peoria Park District with such projects as landscaping at various park sites, painting, assembling picnic tables and various other projects.  According to Superintendent of Parks Mike Baietto, “National City Bank has been a gracious community partner, and has helped the Park District greatly enhance a number of Peoria Park District sites.”