PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – The old pump house on Kingman Avenue in Peoria Heights could have a new entity occupying it in the near future.
Village trustees this week voted to reject a proposal from the KDB Group on an updated lease agreement for the property. KDB had been leasing it, and even subleased the property to a popcorn shop that closed last year.
Mayor Michael Phelan says there were some concerns with the proposal. He says KDB had not been keeping up with paying property taxes at the pump house. And a deal for a new tenant to sublease the property had fallen apart shortly before the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday.
Phelan says there were also concerns with KDB’s history, including how the group backed out of local projects nearly one year ago.
“Six people voted on this and there might be six differences of opinion, but I think that certainly entered the minds of each trustee when they voted,” Phelan said.
Phelan does not believe it will take long to find someone to occupy the building.
“Once the public found out about that vote, we’ve already heard from several different parties that are interested in the building,” Phelan said.
Phelan says the village is looking for something that would complement the neighborhood and function well with Power Park, and even encouraged KDB to reapply. He says requests for proposals are expected to go out in the next couple months.
