© 2024 WGLT
A public service of Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Plaza Renamed For Retiring City Manager

Staff
/
WGLT
Mayor Chris Koos of Normal presents a resolution of appreciation to retiring City Manager Mark Peterson on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

As friends, staff, and Normal Town Council members gathered to congratulate retiring City Manager Mark Peterson on Thursday for his service, Mayor Chris Koos offered a little extra to Peterson's long career with the town.

In recognition of the changes Peterson implemented in Uptown Normal and throughout the municipality, the area between the Children's Discovery Museum and Uptown Station known as Gateway Plaza will be renamed Mark R. Peterson Plaza.

Peterson, 59, will retire Friday after 20 years in the job and 10 more as assistant city manager. He is only Normal's second city manager. David Anderson, the first city manager, was also long tenured and highly regarded on his retirement. The town renamed a park after Anderson.

Peterson's achievements include Uptown Normal revitalization, the Normal Theater restoration, the Shoppes at College Hills, and other significant economic and cultural change.

Even the plaza being named for him could continue that theme of change. The town is seeking federal funding to create an underpass from the plaza to the south side of the railroad tracks, connecting Uptown and Uptown South.

Peterson will be succeeded by Pam Reece, long an assistant city manager and deputy city manager.

People like you value experienced, knowledgeable and award-winning journalism that covers meaningful stories in Bloomington-Normal. To support more stories and interviews like this one, please consider making a contribution.

WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
Related Content