April 30--PEORIA -- That big, vacant area at the southwest corner of Main and Monroe streets should look a little less vacant soon.

Sometime in 2014, Gary Matthews probably would prefer the site sport a "No Vacancy" sign.

Foundation work on what is to be a Courtyard by Marriott began Monday, according to Matthews, the Downtown hotel-project developer. Once a concrete pad is constructed, installation of prefabricated panels can take place.

Evolution of the three-pronged project's final piece then can become evident to the casual observer.

"We'll start going vertical," Matthews said about the 10-story, 117-room hotel.

Flatbed trucks will transport the concrete panels to the construction site, then cranes will hoist the pieces into position, according to Matthews. He said he expects outer-skin construction to be complete by Thanksgiving.

New construction is an easier proposition than rehabilitation of an existing building, as is being done to the adjacent Marriott Pere Marquette, Matthews said.

"It's not the same as with the Pere, where you knock a bunch of walls down and find this problem or that problem," he said about the other main element of the project. "You know what you're up against."

Those problems delayed the Pere Marquette's completion, scheduled originally for March 1. The hotel that dates from the 1920s is on target to reopen June 28, according to Matthews.

Courtyard construction also is a little behind, thanks in part to wet weather, Matthews said. But this assembly format makes it easier to get back on schedule.

"If you start going vertical at the beginning of the spring and you're under a roof by fall, you're in really good shape," Matthews said.

If interior construction begins this winter, the hotel could be completed as early as the second quarter of next year, Matthews said. If not, a third-quarter opening almost is certain.

The site formerly housed the Big Al's adult-entertainment facility -- now located a few blocks away, on Jefferson Avenue -- and several bars. Those structures were razed earlier this year.

A new parking deck at Fulton and Monroe streets opened in March. Eventually, a foot bridge elevated above Fulton Street is to connect that deck and the Peoria Civic Center.

Matthews' firm, EM Properties, plans to turn over the Pere Marquette to Marriott officials at the end of May. It will take them about 30 days to prepare the property for opening.

Within the next few weeks, the Pere likely will begin to receive deliveries of food, beverages and other supplies, according to Matthews.

"Things are really coming together now," he said.

Nick Vlahos can be reachedat 686-3285 or [email protected] him on Twitter @VlahosNick.

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