EAST PEORIA, Ill. — East Peoria Mayor John Kahl is expressing excitement at future development and the prospects of a bustling city east of the Illinois River in years to come. During the annual State of the City Address, Kahl also expressed a greater need for more expansion at a variety of city run facilities and the benefits the expansions could bring.
Kahl delivered the annual city update inside the Par-A-Dice Hotel near the East Peoria riverfront early Friday morning.
The event was once again hosted in coordination with the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce.
Kahl told a crowd of city staff, public safety commanders and business leaders that expansion plans will soon include the East Peoria Police Department, which he says will require more space to operate.
The Mayor estimated it will cost between $17-$22 million to either build a new police station or convert an older building into a new police command post.
There are also plans to expand at the Eastside Center. Kahl said upgrades are badly needed at the local community center and will only help attract more regional youth sports leagues and tournaments to the city. His office plans to bring $6 million into that effort.
One of the brighter and more exciting announcements during the mayor’s speech was the unveiling of concept art for the new mixed-use development being built near East Peoria City Hall.
It’s being called 501 BluTowne.
It’s a nice throw back to East Peoria’s founding as a coal mining community many decades ago. Blue Town is what East Peoria was once called.
This new residential and business complex is slated to include roughly 10,000 square feet of commercial operating space as well as 233 luxury apartment units and other amenities. It’s been several years in the making already, but is expected to break ground and begin construction this summer.
Kahl noted the city’s current financial situation. He reported there will be roughly $62 million in revenue included in the next annual budget. On the other side of the balance sheet will be nearly $80 million in city expenses.
The mayor notes much of the expense is still tied up in improvements at the city’s water plant, still slated for completion in early 2023.
Kahl also took time to promote the city’s ongoing branding effort, which is now gathering public input.
Right now, city officials are considering three options for a new slogan to encompass what East Peoria is all about. You can find more info about those slogan options as well as cast your own vote or submit your own ideas.
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