East Peoria officials have said if they spend the money to build a 145,000 square foot Bass Pro Shop north of the Murray Baker Bridge, it will be worth it.
Tuesday night, as council approved $45 million dollars in bonds to bring Bass Pro to East Peoria, they started to show why.
East Peoria City Council members unanimously approved an agreement with developer Gary Matthews to build a $15 million condominium and office building along East Peoria's Riverfront.
The 12-story building will go behind TGI Fridays restaurant and will be taller than the Embassy Suites hotel.
East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus says the building is only possible because of the new Bass Pro Shop and the road being constructed to access it.
He says the city could not present it until Tuesday, but that this building is just the beginning of the new development.
"Hearing about the $15 million dollar development and more help explain away some of the criticisms," he said. "It's just really encouraging for East Peoria and the entire region."
The vote Tuesday transfers the property to Gary Matthews, but it will be returned if it is not used.
The council also voted to authorize $45 million in bonds to build the Bass Pro Shop. Those bonds will likely be sold August 30, 2010.
The council held off on its second reading of the lease agreement with Bass Pro because of what one commissioner called "minor environmental details."
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