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May 21, 2010
In light of the recent press with regards to the relocation of Big Al’s, we would like to take a moment to share with you Riverside’s stance on this matter.
Our church recognizes that we are in a unique location in the heart of downtown Peoria. This is intentional. We believe that God has placed us here to impact the inner city of Peoria, and all the surrounding areas, with our ministries.
We also recognize that in being located downtown we are neighbors with businesses that a lot of churches don’t normally find themselves next to, including bars, nightclubs and Big Al’s itself.
Although as a church we do not agree with what Big Al’s represents, we do realize that as a business they have a right to be in Peoria. Our concern is that we feel there are rules already in place that should not allow this relocation to take place.
This relocation flies in opposition of the ordinance that states that no adult club should be located within 500 feet of a church, school or residential property. However, current changes are being processed on the basis of an amendment used to grandfather Big Al's present location.
Riverside is located no more than 400 feet from where this establishment would be located. The Journal Star reported one councilman as saying the properties would be right at 500 feet apart, but the ordinance states property to property, not “depending on exactly where you measure the church from the edge of the proposed building."
It is also the opinion of some members of the public that preference should be given to Big Al’s over the church, as they pay taxes and we don’t. While it is true that as a non- profit organization we are exempt from paying taxes, we would like to shed some light on what we DO offer the city.
Since arriving in the City of Peoria, Riverside has renovated two rapidly deteriorating landmark buildings within the city, and in doing so has invested $4.5 million in these buildings with no monetary support from the government. Riverside invests over $200,000 annually on programs that directly benefit the inner-city of Peoria. Through our Dream Center Peoria programs over the last eight years we have provided 14,000 backpacks with school supplies to kids in need, and this year we are introducing a program for school kids’ uniforms. We help over 500 families a month with clothing, food, household goods and furniture. Our state of the art youth facility provides a safe environment for kids in the city to flourish and find refuge from the streets. Our AOK events mobilize volunteers from over 10 churches to impact 10 targeted areas of the city through acts of service on a Saturday, every other month. And from fall to spring each year more than 250 kids and youth participate in DCP athletics. In addition, Riverside invests over a million dollars annually into the local economy.
I have written to all of our city council members. In the letter I stated, “The reasons the original ordinance was passed are the same reasons we appeal to you to vote for the upholding of the said ordinance - the safe guarding of women, youth and children within the vicinity. Please, this must be your main concern, as it is ours. We want to appeal to you as the representative of the people to please vote to uphold the law - the original ordinance.”
I would encourage any that are in support of Riverside on this issue to contact our city’s councilors prior to the vote this coming Tuesday, and let them know there are many who are not in favor of this move. You can find their contact information at http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/council-members.
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