The Peoria City Council has once again deferred a decision on a proposal to convert a vacant building on SW Adams Street into a 12-bedroom halfway house for parolees. The project, spearheaded by GRO Community, aims to provide transitional housing, but council members have raised concerns about funding, community impact, and resident sourcing, leading to further delays.
Key Takeaways
- The Peoria City Council has delayed a vote on a halfway house proposal for parolees for a second time.
- GRO Community plans to operate the facility at 1924 SW Adams St., a former homeless shelter and mental health facility.
- Concerns raised by council members include the project’s budget realism, potential impact on surrounding businesses, and whether residents will be from outside Peoria.
- GRO Community has secured a significant grant and has a purchase agreement for the property, but the delays are impacting their timeline and funding arrangements.
Project Details and Funding
GRO Community intends to transform the vacant building at 1924 SW Adams Street into a 12-bedroom transitional housing facility. The proposal includes common areas for dining, group activities, and recreation, along with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. The organization plans to have three regular staff members on-site during business hours and a 24/7 security presence. Francine Poole, GRO Community’s director of real estate and development, stated that the organization has received a $475,000 grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) for the project. They have an agreement to purchase the site for $207,500, with the remaining funds allocated for property rehabilitation, much of which will be handled by GRO Construction, their internal division.
Council Concerns and Delays
Council member Tim Riggenbach expressed skepticism regarding the adequacy of the proposed budget for necessary repairs, advocating for more time for discussion. Council member Zach Oyler questioned GRO Community’s engagement with neighboring property owners and businesses. Poole’s initial assessment of the area as "desolate" drew a sharp response from Oyler, who noted that a nearby business owner might disagree. Poole later apologized, clarifying her observation was based on the property’s setback from Adams Street and lack of immediate activity.
Another point of contention raised by Oyler was the origin of the halfway house residents. Gregory Williams, GRO Community’s Director of Reentry, assured the council that they prioritize working with individuals returning to Peoria, stating, "We don’t go outside the city to get residents for this program. We work within the city limits."
Council member Bernice Gordon-Young suggested providing GRO Community with a clear list of required information to avoid further delays and moving goalposts. The repeated deferrals have created a setback for GRO Community, requiring them to renegotiate timelines with the property seller and the IHDA, who were expecting a decision.
Future Considerations
The motion before the council was for approval of a special use permit. Council member Andre Allen was the sole dissenting vote against the deferral. The council’s next meeting in January is anticipated to be when the halfway house proposal will be reconsidered, with the hope that GRO Community will provide the necessary information to address the council’s concerns.
