PEORIA MAGAZINE August 2023

The Peoria Historical Society’s Pettengill Morron House on Moss Avenue

Buralli is president of the Cottage District Neighborhood Collaborative, a homeowner’s group. He purchased his home through the Moss-Bradley Revolving Fund, a private investment fund created by the Moss-Bradley Res idential Association to promote sin gle-family homeownership. Although some properties have returned to rental since the program began in the 1970s, Buralli said its goal has largely been achieved. “For the most part, you can walk down the street and know your neighbors and they know you,” Buralli said. “It’s easy to strike up a conversation and engage people.” Mark Beiser planted roots here 22 years ago. “I bought my home with the assurance that this neighborhood would eventually turn into something better,” he said. “I don’t believe it’s all the way there yet, but it has definitely improved.”

architectural treasures, old and new, and one of Peoria’s major selling points. Had Lydia Moss Bradley not founded the school here in 1897, the character of the area would almost certainly be different. The Uplands District across Main Street from the Bradley campus was Peoria’s first “planned” residential development, said Beth Johnson, a volunteer with the Peoria Historical Society. Carved out of land known as the Bradley Farm in 1902, the Uplands’ neat streets, alleys and wide boulevards were laid out and curbed, trees planted and public art commissioned before a single lot was sold. Today, the mostly well kept, older homes are a reminder of Peoria’s turn-of-the century growth and prosperity. Bradley administrators are well aware of the critical role the university plays in the life and character of the West Bluff. “This is our home and it always will be,” said Bradley President Stephen Standifird. “We have a big footprint here and everything we do has an impact.” Standifird said many faculty, staff members and students live in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. “It is more than just our campus, it is an extension of our home,” he said. “One of the values we add to the community is a level of vibrancy,” said Standifird, mentioning sports, music and theater performances, lectures, art,

business functions and cultural events enjoyed by the entire community. Meanwhile, Bradley recently pur chased the former Avanti’s restaurant at the busy corner of Main and Univer sity. A working group is gathering input to come up with a community-focused use for the property. Another initiative in its early stages would convert Lydia Moss Bradley’s historic home on Moss Avenue from a rental property owned by the university into a community space. Like many older neighborhoods, the West Bluff has its share of crime, neglect, gap-tooth vacancies and resident apathy. The empty lot at the corner of Main and High streets, where the historic Hale Memorial Church stood for more than a century, is a reminder that good intentions aren’t always enough to bring change. The structure was demolished in 2022. Still, residents and business owners have been chasing a vision for years with the intent of bringing people, commerce and more visible prosperity back to the neighborhood. “It’s not Shangri-La and it never will be,” said Brian Buralli, a resident of the Cottage District since 1989 and a homeowner there since 1995. “I’ve watched it transition from a dilapidated neighborhood with drug traffic and crime to a fairly stable neighborhood.” HOMEOWNERS HOLD THE KEY

Mark Beiser runs the Peoria Bike Co-Op

In 2014, Beiser started the Peoria Bike Co-Op at 612 W. Main to “help people who can’t otherwise get around because they can’t drive a car.” Donated bikes are repaired and given to residents who need transportation. Beiser also helps at-risk kids through the Bicycle Empowerment Program at Dream Center Peoria. “I’d like to see some of the businesses along Main Street revitalized somehow,” he said.

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