ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager with a Request to RECEIVE and FILE a PRESENTATION on the PASSENGER RAIL INITIATIVE.
Body
BACKGROUND: A major initiative championed by Mayor Rita Ali is to revisit passenger rail to Peoria, the largest metropolitan area in the State of Illinois without access to rail service.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is examining the feasibility of a route to Chicago form Peoria. Passenger rail service would enhance the transportation system of the greater Peoria region and Central Illinois, provide an additional mode of transportation, support anticipated growth, improve regional connectivity, promote opportunities for businesses and tourism, and support diversity and inclusion throughout the region.
In support of this effort a committee of local and regional leaders has been formed. The committee members include:
• City of Peoria Mayor Rita Ali
• Former US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood
• 46th District Senator Dave Koehler
• 17th District Representative Darin LaHood
• 18th District Representative Cheri Bustos
• 73rd District Representative Ryan Spain
• 92nd District Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth
• Peoria County Board Chairman Andrew Rand
• City of Peoria Councilman At-Large Sid Ruckriegel
• IDOT Secretary of Transportation Omer Osman
• Tri-County Regional Planning Executive Director Eric Miller
• Bradley University Executive Director Brad McMillan
• Discover Peoria CEO J.D. Dalfonso
• Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Joshua Gunn
• Greater Peoria Area Economic Development Corp. CEO Chris Setti
• West Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council representative Matt Bartolo
• City of Peoria Manager Patrick Urich
• Peoria County Administrator Scott Sorrel
The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has awarded the City a $50,000 grant to further study potential station locations. At this time a survey is being developed to gather public opinion for this service. It is critical that a robust response to this survey is received.
The Mayor and Councilman Ruckriegel, along with representatives of the Committee will provide an overview of the initiative to date.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of service is yet to be determined.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Passenger rail service would provide the region another transportation alternative.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: N/A
IMPACT IF DENIED: N/A
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Grow Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Grow employers and jobs.
2. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
3. Support sustainability.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office