Miracle Mile members look to build on successes

ROCKFORD — The stakeholders who live and work in Rockford’s Miracle Mile neighborhoods are strengthening their efforts to make their stretch of East State Street a destination for shopping, dining and business.

Business owners in the area first organized in 2005 to start cleaning up the region, and the nonprofit Miracle Mile Rockford incorporated in 2008. But membership was a more informal process, said association President Pete Roche, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Riverside Community Bank.

Today, there are 24 formal members. And the group is looking to expand by inviting more businesses and residents who have a stake in the region’s maintenance and growth to join.

Public safety also is a top concern, as the region has experienced a recent string of break-ins. The group is meeting quarterly with Rockford police personnel to work on the problems.

The Miracle Mile today covers the stretch of East State Street from SwedishAmerican Hospital to Rockford College’s entrance and north to Morsay and Maray drives. It’s dotted with about 350 businesses, from banks and fitness centers to retail stores, restaurants and offices.

The nonprofit association also includes members like Alpine Hills Golf Course and Practice Center, which sits just south of State Street on Alpine Road, and retailer Roxy Carmichael, which is at 310 N. Alpine Road.

Miracle Mile officials have several successes to show in cooperating with the city, like helping keep CVS in the area after it relocated to a free-standing facility, getting sidewalks built along East State Street from Fairview Avenue to Alpine Road, and creating a tax increment financing district in 2006 that’s already benefiting major expansion projects at Don Carter Lanes and the Alpine Inn.

Tom Baudhuin co-owns the Alpine Inn, 4404 E. State St., and took over the property about two and half years ago. The business, which had fallen into disrepair and attracted crime, is being completely renovated and should be finished by summer.

The inn is still open during construction, though blocks of rooms are closed as necessary. New security cameras have been installed around the facility, and Baudhuin hired security personnel to patrol the business.

“I live about a mile from here, so I know this corridor. I’m part of it,” Baudhuin said. “(Alpine Inn) can be and will be a good business model. I felt it was still a valuable model, and I didn’t want to see it deteriorate.”

Rockford Ald. Frank Beach said the Miracle Mile area remains a priority for the city, and the city is pleased that progress is being made.

“So many people have stepped up to the plate,” Beach said. “They’re excited, and they see the possibilities of this area. We’re not just talking pipe dreams. We’re upfront with what we have and upfront with what we’re going to be.”

Jennifer Hall with Catalyst Business Solutions, a business consulting group, is doing marketing for the Miracle Mile group. Hall said they recently sent out newsletters to 7,000 homes south to Charles Street and north to Highcrest Road encouraging residents who have concerns about the Miracle Mile to attend the meetings and join the group.

Hall said it’s an issue of finding the right business owners for the area who are concerned with more than just their space.

A big focus is marketing the old Magna grocery store property, which CVS used to occupy before it moved. The property is still owned by CVS’ corporate, and Hall said the city and the business district are very interested in filling that space.

Reach staff writer Melissa Westphal at 815-987-1341 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .