Taft Homes

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Taft Homes
Taft Homes Peoria.JPG
Aerial overview of the Taft Homes
Taft Homes
General information
Location Peoria, Illinois
Coordinates 40°41′43.27″N89°34′58.76″W / 40.6953528°N 89.5829889°W / 40.6953528; -89.5829889
StatusCompleted
Construction
Constructed1952
DemolishedPartially in 1996
Other information
Governing
body
Peoria Housing Authority

The Taft Homes are a public housing project located off the Illinois River in Peoria, Illinois. In total there are 200 apartments in Taft, housed in separate wood-framed buildings. The Taft Homes are currently in the early stages of a redevelopment project that calls for the demolition of all current units, with the lots then transformed into mixed-income housing.

Contents

History

The Taft Homes, named after Ohio senator Robert A Taft, were originally built in 1952 as a temporary means of shelter for veterans returning from the Korean War. [1] [2] The buildings soon transitioned to low income housing and during the 1960s and 70s the housing project saw multiple violent riots. In 1968 ten police officers and a reporter were wounded after a minor incident turned into a race riot that lasted for around 3 hours. [3] [4] A second major race riot occurred in 1970 after the police evicted two female residents from the Taft Homes; resulting in rioting that spread throughout other public housing projects in the city. [5] In 1996 all 220 units in the complex underwent comprehensive rehabilitation efforts by the city; the units received new siding, flooring and plumbing in order to make the buildings more energy efficient. [1] The renovation efforts also added, and updated parking, lighting, sidewalks as well as various landscaping work. [1] During its modernization effort the Housing Authority decided to demolish the 15 buildings closest to the river, that were known for illicit activities. [1] The United States Marine Corps, U.S. Navy Seabees and Illinois Air National Guard helped in the demolition effort. [1]

Redevelopment plan

Following the rehabilitation project of 1996 Peoria Public Housing decided to pursue a redevelopment of the units. The plan calls for a mixed income neighborhood, that could include some market rate homes, along the desirable Illinois River. [1] [6] The first development would begin along the shoreline, an area left vacant by the demolition of the 15 original buildings located at the site. [1] Demolition of the current buildings would begin after the current residents find alternate housing options. [6]

In 2021, groundbreaking began for the new Providence Pointe development. [7] [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Taft Homes". Peoria Housing Authority. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  2. Lynn, Greg (2014-01-29). "Redeveloping Taft". Peoria Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  3. "10 Policemen Wounded". The Evening Independent. The Evening Independent. July 30, 1968. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  4. "10 Policeman and Newsman Wounded In Peoria Rioting". The Miami News. The Associated Press. July 30, 1968. p. 9. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  5. "Sporadic gunfire at Cairo, Peoria". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. July 24, 1970. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  6. 1 2 Jackson, Denise (July 15, 2010). "Taft Homes Redeveloped". WEEK. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  7. Renken, Leslie. "From Taft Homes to Providence Pointe: What to know about a new Peoria housing project". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  8. "'Taft Homes' no more: 'Providence Pointe' will be the new name for troubled Peoria low-incoming housing complex". WCBU Peoria. 2021-10-05. Retrieved 2023-09-17.