Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich has expressed growing frustration over the ongoing safety hazards at the shuttered Riverview Plaza tower. Despite the building being closed for two years due to code violations, officials recently discovered unauthorized residents living inside. The city is now pursuing legal action to force the owner to bring the site into compliance.
Key takeaways
- Unauthorized residents were found living in the long-shuttered Riverview Plaza.
- The city is pursuing legal action and potential mortgage holder intervention to force repairs.
- Development agreements for the Tower on Adams are expected to reach the City Council soon.
- New civilian community service officers will soon patrol Downtown Peoria to increase safety.
Safety concerns at Riverview Plaza
The Riverview Plaza tower has remained shuttered for over two years as the city continues to pressure owner MJ Illinois to address critical fire suppression, sprinkler, and electrical system failures. City building safety manager Rich Storm recently reported finding beds, a shower, a gym, and laundry facilities inside the unsafe structure. City Manager Patrick Urich emphasized that the city is doing everything within its power to force compliance, including pursuing fines in court. If the owner refuses to make the building safe for emergency responders, the city may reach out to the bank holding the mortgage to compel necessary repairs.
Redevelopment and future growth
Beyond the issues at Riverview Plaza, the city is making progress on other downtown projects. Urich noted that a development agreement for the Tower on Adams, formerly known as the PNC Bank Building, could reach the City Council by late summer. The proposed project aims to feature 160 residential units. Additionally, the city is collaborating with the Greater Peoria Leadership Council to convert vacant downtown properties into mixed-use commercial and residential spaces. While a downtown grocery store remains a long-term goal, officials believe current population density is not yet sufficient to sustain one.
Enhancing downtown public safety
To improve public safety, the city is hiring six civilian community service officers. These individuals will patrol downtown from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., acting as ambassadors for the city. While they will not have arrest powers or replace police officers, they will provide additional eyes and ears on the street. Urich highlighted that this initiative is a cost-effective strategy to increase the city’s presence, as these roles are significantly more affordable than hiring traditional law enforcement officers.
