PEORIA, Ill. – Downtown Peoria’s Riverview Plaza is one step closer to getting long-awaited repairs.
A verbal agreement was outlined during a bench trial in Peoria County court this week. The agreement results in the City of Peoria suspending fines and charges against the building’s owner, MJ Illinois LLC, with certain conditions.
One of those conditions is the owner following through with a promise to complete repairs in a month or two.
Riverview Plaza, commonly known as the Chase Building at Jefferson and Hamilton Streets, has been closed since February. The owner is facing 18 city code violations for failing to maintain fire suppression and alarm systems.
“The building owner made a settlement offer to the city,” City Manager Patrick Urich told 25 News in a written statement. “We are evaluating the proposal to make sure that any compromise meets safety standards and can get the building back to productive use.”
Ten business owners were forced to leave the building as a result of its closure.
Tom Leiter, attorney for MJ Illinois LLC, told 25 News the firm is putting together a schedule of repairs to present to the city, where a contract to avoid fines and charges could be signed.
Leiter said the building’s owner had to wait for insurance money to kick in to complete the settlement before making repairs. That money just recently started to kick in.
“The elevator repairs have already been done, so the elevators are fully functional. They have yet to be connected to the alarm system,” Leiter said. “But, the life safety issues need to be addressed before the building can be occupied.”
Leiter also said some repairs have been made to the parking deck, but more repairs are needed.
The bench trial will continue in September when the building owner is required to provide an update on the repairs.
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