What are Bradley's plans for the former Avanti's restaurant site on Main Street?
PEORIA — Bradley University went through a financial reckoning in 2023, but it still has plans for the corner lot that was long home to Avanti's Ristorante on West Main Street, across from the campus.
The 0.62-acre site, which includes the former Avanti's building, a parking lot and a nearby residential lot, was listed for sale in August of 2022 at an asking price of $799,900. Peoria County property records later showed BU bought it for $690,000.
Bradley acquired the property on Jan. 20, 2023, and later announced plans to turn it into a greenspace. More than a year later, that hasn't happened yet, as the university subsequently dealt with financial realities that included a $13 million budget shortfall in 2023.
More: Bradley bought the Avanti's on Main Street. The school has a unique plan for the site
But the property is still in BU's portfolio and its future, and the university says it plans to seek public input once the project moves forward.
"The former Avanti’s property is an asset of the university and represents an investment in our campus and community; there are no current plans to sell it," said Bradley University executive director of communications and media Libby Derry. "While there is no timeline on the project, we do plan on seeking public input as we move forward, and will share more information about that process as it becomes available."
Bradley University president Dr. Stephen Standifird said in a 2023 email after the property was purchased: "This highly visible property sits on the thresholds of our campus. Green space here will add appeal to the area, ease pedestrian mobility near the Main and University intersection and will provide needed space for respite and recreation.”
The building, which opened in 1981, was home to Avanti's from 1989 to 2022.
The university has since taken action, facing a $13 million budget shortfall in 2023, which Standifird said at the time was 10% of Bradley's operating budget. He said the shortfall would continue in future years if "no measures are taken," signaling cuts. Those cuts were announced last December, as part of a plan to eliminate 61 faculty positions (38 by cut, 23 via attrition).
A list of 15 academic programs to be phased out was produced. Standifird noted that less than 3% of the university's students were majoring in the programs impacted by the cuts.
"I recognize this process has caused uncertainty and anxiety within our campus community," Standifird wrote in a Dec. 11, 2023 Journal Star story. "I am committed to doing what is best for Bradley, and am confident we will continue to work together to assure the long-term viability and success of our university."
More: 'Not an easy process': Bradley University announces final decisions on program cuts
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bradley University plans for Main Street Avanti's land near Peoria campus
