Scott’s Blog Experience

UPDATE: As of last week I have recieved quite a few calls on this post. Let me be clear on this. More than one person has expressed to me that Mr. Khazzam was selling Junction City. That’s why I asked the question. Now that those rumors are put to rest, let me make this also extremely clear. I have never heard one negative statement about Alexsis Khazzam from any past or present employee. In fact, I have heard nothing but good things about him. I do however question his comment about “outsourcing” jobs when I thought the main goal of any developer was to bring jobs into the City. I am assuming the “outsourcing” he meant was a local buisness here in Peoria.

Here we are a year into the renovations of Junction City with the illusions of gradeur reaping through Peoria as this once famous shopping center goes through rehab.

Initiallly I was excited when the Grandview and the Deluxe Motel were torn down, but also dissapointed now that we have 3, possibly 4 places selling liquor across the street from my house. (have already found liquor cartons thrown on Prospect). Having said that, I have heard some other rumors that may not be in line with what wonder boy has promised. Junction Ventures LLC and thier President Alexis Khazzam has recently laid off some employees. One of them was his Marketing Events Planner.

In today’s Journal Star they make Alexis out to be some kind of Celebrity. He has some big dreams, but the renovations at Junction are moving at a snails pace.

To be fair, most rehab projects of this size will loose money their first year. However, the question I have for Mr. Khazzam is: Is Junction City up for Sale? Rumor has it that it is.

I have also noticed Digital Wireless who is owned by Lee Hofmann (owner of International Supply)has moved from the Knoxville (Cubs Foods Plaza) to Junction City. Mr. Hofmann is also an Investor in the Butcher Block, and and owns A5 Internet (local ISP in Peoria). Having delt with Mr. Hofmann in the past, I can only say to Alexis beware of friendly faces. The fact he now has two places in Juction City can only tell me Mr. Khazzam is looking for some money and may have just found some. Of course when he invested in SSI.net before it became A5, the President of SSI.net thought Lee was just an investor, next thing the President knew, he was out of a job. Ironically the person who was just fired, her father is in a Law Suit with Mr. Hofmann. Mmmmmm!

Of course this is just rumor.

Technorati Tags: Junction City Ventures, Alexis Khazzam, Lee Hofmann, A5 Internet, Butcher Block, Digital Wireless, SSI Net