Peoria is moving forward with a strategic public-private partnership to build a new facility on the city’s north side. The project will house both an Advanced Medical Transport (AMT) ambulance station and a new Peoria Police Department substation, replacing an outdated facility and significantly improving service accessibility for residents in the area.
Key takeaways
- The Peoria City Council has unanimously approved a letter of intent for the shared facility.
- The new site will replace an outdated, non-functional 1967-era fire station currently serving as a police substation.
- The project is backed by $3.5 million in city funding, reallocated from previous upgrade budgets and grant initiatives.
- The facility will feature modern amenities, including community meeting spaces and improved processing areas for officers.
Addressing current infrastructure limitations
For years, the Peoria Police Department has struggled with a lack of functional space on the city’s north side. The existing substation, located in a former fire station on Altorfer Drive, is undersized and lacks the necessary infrastructure to serve the community effectively. Police Chief Brad Dixon noted that the current site is essentially non-functional, forcing residents to travel to downtown headquarters for basic tasks like filing paperwork or paying fines. By moving to a new, modern facility, the department aims to remove these barriers and provide better customer service to the northern portion of the city.
A strategic public-private partnership
The city has opted for a collaborative approach by partnering with Advanced Medical Transport to share construction and maintenance costs. The new facility will be located on the southeast corner of North Allen Road and Van Winkle Way, adjacent to an existing Carle Health site. City Manager Patrick Urich explained that the city will subdivide the property into three parcels, with AMT leading the construction. This arrangement allows the city to utilize $3.5 million already set aside in the budget, which was originally intended for upgrades to the old substation and other projects that did not come to fruition.
Enhancing operational efficiency and community access
The new substation is designed to be a significant upgrade for both the public and law enforcement personnel. Beyond providing better parking and modern bathroom facilities, the building will include a dedicated community meeting space, fostering stronger ties between the police and the neighborhood. Operationally, the site will allow officers to process evidence locally, eliminating the time-consuming need to return to the downtown headquarters. Mayor Rita Ali and other city council members have praised the project as a "win-win" that improves efficiency and accessibility for the entire community.
