Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich says the city will continue using Flock Safety license plate reader cameras despite growing privacy concerns nationwide. In a wide-ranging interview, he also defended the new West Main Street tax increment financing district and outlined updates on major redevelopment, infrastructure and tourism initiatives.
Key takeaways
- Peoria plans to continue using Flock cameras, which officials say have helped solve crimes.
- Urich defended the West Main TIF as a tool to attract private investment and redevelop underused properties.
- The city is pursuing projects involving the Tower on Adams, Riverview Plaza and Exposition Gardens.
- Peoria is considering a 1.5% hotel assessment to fund tourism promotion.
Peoria maintains its Flock camera policy
Urich said the Peoria Police Department has reviewed its use of Flock Safety automatic license plate readers and has no plans to change course. He said the technology has been effective in helping investigators solve crimes and that the department is using the cameras as intended.
The comments come as criticism of license plate reader systems grows across the country. Opponents cite potential misuse, privacy risks and concerns about how long data is retained or shared. At an East Peoria City Council meeting, residents raised similar objections while discussing an investigation into alleged misuse in nearby Creve Coeur. Despite the criticism, East Peoria approved the purchase of 10 additional cameras.
West Main TIF faces questions over taxes and growth
Urich said the newly established West Main Street tax increment financing district is designed to encourage redevelopment along the corridor between Downtown Peoria and Bradley University. The district covers an area where city officials hope private investment will improve commercial properties and expand the tax base.
Council member Alex Carmona, whose Second District includes most of the TIF area, was the lone vote against its approval. He argued that TIF-driven property growth can be artificial and may ultimately increase tax burdens for residents.
Urich acknowledged that rising property values can lead to higher property taxes but said the benefits of reinvestment outweigh that concern. Under the structure, property owners make improvements and can receive reimbursement for eligible development expenses from the growth in tax revenue. He pointed to the Warehouse District, where TIF funding was combined with historic tax credits and an enterprise zone to support redevelopment.
Industrial park and downtown projects advance
Peoria is also moving forward with plans for the 53-acre Galena Road Industrial Park. The planned $40 million business center recently received $600,000 in federal funding and $150,000 in state support. Urich said the federal money will help offset Peoria County’s costs for acquiring the property, while state funds will support early design and infrastructure planning.
The city remains in negotiations with a developer regarding the Tower on Adams block, which includes the PNC Bank Building, the Creve Coeur Building and a parking deck. Urich hopes to present a proposal to the City Council within 30 to 45 days.
City weighs housing and tourism initiatives
Legal efforts continue to compel the owner of Riverview Plaza to address building and fire code violations. The 20-story downtown tower has been closed since February 2024, with no reported progress in the case.
City staff also expect a third round of talks with developers interested in converting Exposition Gardens into a large residential neighborhood. Officials hope to select a preferred proposal by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the City Council is expected to consider a Tourism Improvement District. The proposal would add a 1.5% assessment to hotel room nights, with proceeds transferred to Discover Peoria for tourism marketing and activities benefiting local hoteliers.
