Rebuilding Elmwood Illinois

Hardware store & Lorado Taft - January 25, 2011

Three members of the Recovery Committee traveled to Wellman Iowa to visit a new "Hardware Hank". This community of 1,500 is very similar to Elmwood and has welcomed a new 2,300 sq. ft. hardware store into an early 1900's era building in the downtown area. Wellman has been without a hardware store for two years and residents have been forced to travel 25 miles to Iowa City for day-to-day hardware needs. The new store also stocks a variety of general merchandise, similar to the Fair Store inventory. "Hardware Hank" is anxious to establish an Elmwood storefront; but we need a local entrepreneur to step forward to help REBUILD ELMWOOD! Please contact any Recovery Committee member for information.

Twenty four members of the community met on January 19 to discuss how Lorado Taft and the Elmwood Historical Museum could contribute to the REBUILD ELMWOOD efforts. The enthusiasm and interest was overwhelming as everyone contributed ideas and suggestions. This group promises to be instrumental in re-energizing the Lorado Taft connection to Elmwood by bringing tourist and visitors to the community; all part of a comprehensive economic development strategy. Please contact any Committee member if you have ideas, suggestions or any Taft related materials.

Palace Theater work begins - January 17, 2011

Materials were delivered today and repairs to the roof and exterior walls are underway. It was soon discovered that damage to the roof trusses was more extensive than first believed. Good luck Vern !!

City Hall re-opens on Main Street - January 17, 2011

City Hall re-opened today after an extensive rebuilding process; inside and out. The Police Station is still located on S. Magnolia but all other City business is now being conducted out of the old Neptune Fire Company building. Stop by and say hi!

Dr. Baylor returns - January 10, 2011

Dr. Baylor is re-opened for business in a completely remodeled building. See this Peoria Journal Star article for a great summary. Welcome back Dr. Baylor and Proctor Hospital.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/tricounty/x198684601/The-doctor-is-in

Recovery Committee hosts town meeting - January 5, 2011

The Elmwood Recovery Committee hosted an informational town meeting at the High School auditorium on Wednesday evening. Approximately 85 people attended, including 6 County Board members and staff from Congressman Aaron Shock's office and Representative David Leitch's office. The presentation included an overview of the progress achieved so far and plans for Elmwood's economic future. Several new business opportunities were announced, with a specific need for someone to consider opening a hardware store. The community was encouraged to participate in the recovery effort by contacting any one of the committee members with suggestions, ideas and comments. Stay tuned for new developments and don't forget to get involved!

Daley Insurance back in original building - December 29, 2010

Dailey Insurance moved back into their original space after extensive repairs to their East wall. The wall was accidentally damaged during the demolition of the Fair Store building on the corner of Magnolia & Main.

Steady progress - December 29, 2010

Even during the recent inclimate weather, it is encouraging to see so many reconstruction and renovation projects in full swing. In only six and one half months, the downtown area is evidence of a tremendous recovery effort by all involved. City Hall is nearly finished and the new roof is on the Library. The Township recreation building is still working on their new roof and the contractor for the Palace Theater is waiting for a slight break in the weather so they can get started. The Proctor Hospital/Dr. Baylor physician's office is nearly complete and expects to re-open within the next week. The old Basil Harvest building is cleaned up and waiting for a new roof. Daley Insurance, Elmwood Laundry and Bees & Blooms are all up and running again. J & G Cafe has been open for several weeks and the Elmwood Pharmacy has re-opened the front entrance with a fresh new look inside. Take a few moments to visit your downtown merchants and congratulate them on their commitment to Elmwood's recovery and future.

LOWES helps rebuild West Park - November 6 & 13, 2010

Lowes employees donated their time to assist Elmwood residents in rebuilding West Park.

Elmwood Laundry re-opens - October 30, 2010

Elmwood Laundry re-opens in the same location; with a new facelift and new equipment.

$515,110 Grant awarded - October 29, 2010

The City of Elmwood will receive $515,110 as part of nearly $90 million in federal money for bike paths, streetscape beautification and other improvement projects in communities across Illinois. "This is fantastic news for the City," Elmwood Mayor John D. Hulslander said in a news release. "The funding will go a long way toward rebuilding our community as we continue to work through the recovery of the devastating tornado of June 5." Statewide, there were 391 applications for the funding, and Elmwood's request is one of 120 projects to be funded. Peoria County Board Chairman Thomas H. O'Neill III also hailed the news of the grant. "Elmwood has been working very hard to bring the downtown district back after the tornado." he said in the news release. "This is another tool that Mayor Hulslander and the City will have to make Elmwood even better than it was before June 5." (Source: Peoria Journal Star).

Bees & Blooms - October 18, 2010

Bees and Blooms, a well established florist in Elmwood, re-opens in their same location on Main Street after more than 4 months out of service. Another positive example of revitilization of the Downtown Business District.

J&G Cafe re-opens - October 11, 2010

The J&G Cafe re-opens on Magnolia Street, next door to the Post Office. This re-opening was a much anticipated and welcomed event. A valuable asset and community gathering place, the cafe is a very visible indicator of a community pulling together to reclaim it's character and pride.

Fall Festival - September 9, 2010

Festival organizers and participants reported that many venues ran out of food as a responsive crowd attended the weekend events. The Community rallied together to celebrate their first major event following the tornado. Volunteer efforts to spruce up the downtown and show residents and visitors that Elmwood was on the road to recovery resulted in huge crowds and smiling faces.

Street resurfacing - September 1, 2010

The Illinois Department of Transportation begins preparations for a resurfacing project that will take place on Routes 8 & 78 that run through the downtown area. This project is expected to take several weeks, with completion anticipated in October. This resurfacing project will greatly improve the overall appearance of the downtown area and add to the rebuilding momentum.

Community clean-up day - August 27, 2010

In anticipation of the annual Fall Festival, the entire community pitched in to clean-up Central Park and the Downtown area. Elmwood School District students were especially helpful as they participated in this clean-up project. Countless volunteers spent untold hours over the next two weekends painting, pulling weeds, cutting grass and doing everything they could to spruce up the downtown area before the Fall Festival celebration.

Streets re-opened - August 20, 2010

The barricades on State Routes 8 & 78 through the downtown area were removed by IDOT. Downtown streets were closed and barricaded immediately after the tornado and traffic was detoured around the West side of town until today. Residents are starting to see the repairs and reconstruction come together as the rebuilding process is well underway.

Grocery re-opens - August 4, 2010

Elmwood Foods re-opens for business; providing a vital neccesity to the residents of Elmwood.

Dr. Baylor to return - August 2, 2010

Proctor Hospital President and CEO Paul Macek and Dr. Mark Baylor hosted a press conference in the gazebo in the Elmwood Central Park to announce their commitment to rebuilding in Elmwood.

Post Office re-opens - July 28, 2010

The U.S. Post Office re-opened at it's previous location on Magnolia St. after the Hometown Hardware, Fair Store and Elmwood Pharmacy building was demolished next door. The Post Office had been operating out of a mobile unit across the street since the tornado.

Additional buildings demolished - July 26, 2010

Additional buildings located on the SW corner of Main & Magnolia were demolished today due to extensive structural damage sustained during the tornado. The Whitney and McGuire buildings were razed; removing two more landmarks from the central business district.

County Board action - July 22, 2010

The Peoria County Board passed several measures that may assist the business owners in the permitting process for repairs and reconstruction.

Veterans' Memorial re-set - July 19, 2010

The Veterans' Memorial on the NE corner of Main & Magnolia was lifted from it's foundation and displaced a few feet during the tornado but suffered only minor damage. VFW, American Legion and other volunteers from the community re-set the memorial today; proclaiming that the memorial was deserving of a "Purple Heart" for injuries sustained during battle.

Landmark buildings demolished - July 8, 2010

Determined to be unsafe due to structural damage caused by the tornado, one of the City's most prominent landmarks fell victim to the wrecking ball. The buildings located at the NW corner of Main & Magnolia were home to Hometown Hardware, The Fair Store and the Elmwood Pharmacy.

Official actions - July 6, 2010

On July 6 the Small Business Administration announced a disaster declaration for the City of Elmwood; making businesses eligible for low interest loans for rebuilding and recovery. The City of Elmwood also approved the "Elmwood Disaster Recovery Plan", prepared by the Peoria County Planning & Zoning Office.

Pharmacy re-opens in new location - June 11, 2010

The Elmwood Pharmacy re-opens in less than a week in the rear of 108 E. Main Street.

City appoints recovery team - June 11, 2010

On June 5, the Elmwood City Council appointed Richard Taylor as the Disaster Recovery Coordinator. A Disaster Recovery Committee was quickly organized, consisting of Mayor J.D. Hulslander, Councilman Bob Paige, Councilman Don Ekena, Disaster Coordinator Dick Taylor and business owners Kathy Shoop & David Vaughan.

Tornado - June 5th, 2010

On Saturday, June 5, 2010, an EF-2 tornado struck in the City of Elmwood, located in Peoria County, Illinois. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado was approximately 50 yards wide with winds up to 130 mph. The damage to Elmwood's Central Business District was extensive. A total of 41 buildings sustained damage, whereas 33 were originally deemed structurally unsafe for occupancy. Trees were uprooted, power lines toppled, and vehicles in the path incurred extensive damage. Fortunately, no lives were lost and no injuries were reported as a result of this disaster.