There is more good news for Sunnyland residents.

In addition to the Route 8 improvements now underway, city officials from East Peoria and Washington are also conducting a corridor study.

This study will focus on the businesses that front Route 8 and those located along some side streets off the main highway. The study also focuses on streetscape, or the overall look of the area. This includes things such as matching trash receptacles, off-roadway signs, landscaping and benches.

This is an exciting time for Sunnyland residents. It seems as if the town has been in a slumber and is finally being awakened. It also seems that city officials have ignored the area in the past as it slowly deteriorated.

Anyone who drives along Route 8 through Sunnyland would agree that the area needs some sprucing up. There are many rundown-looking dwellings and many unoccupied ones, as well. In fact, the Sunnyland Plaza, the anchor of the community, is about half vacant.

The corridor study also includes the plaza. In fact, city leaders conducted a retail study on the plaza last year. Those results were revealed in June.

City officials said they would use the results to attract businesses to Sunnyland Plaza and eventually turn the blighted area into a thriving shopping center.

With the Route 8 improvements, Sunnyland Plaza study, the corridor study and the upcoming extension of Summit Drive from U.S. Route 24 into Sunnyland, business owners and residents should be hopeful that the community will thrive. The fact that community leaders are spending money on these studies is a good indication they are seriously looking at ways to improve Sunnyland.

One way that business owners and residents can help Sunnyland flourish is by doing their part to speak out about the needs of the community.

During the Route 8 corridor study, community members are asked to take an online survey at www.ci.washington.il.us. The survey asks what people would like to see in Sunnyland, what they do not want to see and asks for improvement ideas.

The survey will be posted through the end of this month.

Sunnylanders — this is your chance. Take it!