I don't know why, but here's the rest of the article that wouldn't "paste":
She also said there is a lack of understanding among many Peoria renters in the older neighborhoods on how to handle home ownership.
“If the city really wanted to have more homeowners, it’s not about deterring landlords,” Moss said, referring to a relatively new program charging a $25 registration fee on landlords to encourage improved treatment of properties. “It’s encouraging people to be a homeowner.”
Stabilizing the area’s home ownership isn’t the only challenge. Commercial businesses also are scarce in an area that was, less than 40 years ago, an active place to shop.
“There are still a lot of good people down here,” said Skip Pierson, an owner of Pierson Mattress Co., 1034 S. Western Ave.
Pierson and other longtime South Peoria business owners battle the downsides of doing business in the area - declining property values, a lack of a local customer base and competition from big-box retailers in Far North Peoria.
Pierson said his “diehard” customers help his company survive. Most, however, come from outside the area.
The same can be said of Moser’s Shoes customers. The company at 2027 SW Adams St., in business since 1918, attracts customers from East Peoria, Pekin and elsewhere.
Business is still good, said Steve Fawley, owner of the store. There are no plans to leave the neighborhood.
“I look at the numbers at the end of the year and think, ‘If it’s not broke, why fix it?’” Fawley said. “There are no guarantees of moving (the business) elsewhere.”
Illinois Furniture, 2017 SW Adams St., appears to be closing, but it’s not. Signs posted on the store’s windows appear to show that the store is liquidating its product line.
But a representative with the store recently said the closure is temporary for remodeling, and Illinois Furniture should reopen sometime in early 2010. This is a positive development in an area that needs them, neighbors claim. Changing the perception of the entire area wouldn’t hurt, either.
“That bothers me more than anything,” said Park Board member Robert Johnson, who represents the 1st District. “Every time something happens, it’s a crime element on the south side. There are still good people here. There are still good, working-class people here.”
Ricca and her friends haven’t given up hope. They just want more attention given to their area and more positive developments than negative ones.
“We’ve been abused down here for so long,” Ricca said. “I feel (the city) should make up for what wasn’t given to us for years.”
