The Village of Peoria Heights Water Department has issued a boil order for customers in the 5100 block of Galena Road, the 2000 - 2100 blocks of Riverview Court, the 1900 and 2000 blocks of Terrace View Ln, and the 2200 block of Poplar Lane due to a water main repair.
Water service was disrupted for repairs.
Service has been restored however the boil order remains in effect.
Thank You
The Village of Peoria Heights Water Department has issued a boil order for customers in the 5300 thru 5500 blocks of North Glen Elm Dr due to a water main repair.
Water service was disrupted for repairs.
Service will be restored shortly.
Thank You
Peoria Heights Mayor Michael Phelan gave his annual State of the Village Address at the Heights Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on Dec. 12, saying that after a challenging year, the Village is well-positioned for fiscal stability and future prosperity.
Specifically, the mayor addressed the Village’s progress regarding the budget in a year where some difficult decisions had to be made to avoid going into the red, culminating in a fourth consecutive year in which the Village Board has lowered or maintained its tax levy. When he inherited the Village’s mantle in 2017, “I didn’t know how we were going to meet payroll,” said Phelan, who credited the Board’s discipline with putting the community back on solid financial footing.
One example of that is the priority placed on supporting police pensions, which are 73 percent funded today compared to 36 percent in 2019, he said.
The Village has balanced its budgets without sacrificing on infrastructure investment, the mayor emphasized. Indeed, after the Pabst Brewery closed in the early 1980s, Heights “businesses struggled for decades” and important infrastructure was neglected. Now the Village is spending significant dollars on its water system and roadways, with the pending reconstruction of Illinois Route 29 in particular becoming “without question, one of the biggest projects in the history of Peoria Heights.”
Not only will that project make the commuter roadway significantly safer, it will open the Village’s riverfront and lower bluff areas to needed economic development, he said. The Village Board already has created a new Tax Increment Financing District and Business Development District in that corridor. “It’s a huge opportunity for Peoria Heights,” said Phelan.
Meanwhile, the Village has adopted a plan to rehab the water system with a way to pay for it, an expert consultant has been retained, a process known as ice pigging has cleared many of the Village’s mains and appendages of sediment, lead pipes are being replaced, and major investments in water treatment and main replacement are forthcoming with the help of millions of dollars in grants and potentially forgivable loans
All those investments come with a price tag, of course. Heights leaders are sensitive to the local tax burden, which is why the Village has become very aggressive in seeking state and federal grants to defray the costs on local taxpayers. As a result, tens of millions of dollars from outside the community have been secured to help finance these projects.
The mayor credited the relationships Peoria Heights has developed with state and federal legislators, singling out state Sen. David Koehler for his help in acquiring financial assistance for multiple infrastructure upgrades.
“People ask me, ‘Why pay so much attention to economic development?’” said Phelan. The reason is simple: Property and sales tax dollars, especially the latter, pay for the services that residents need and demand, and those costs are ever-rising with inflation. As such, economic growth is critical. One example of the ongoing investment in services is the addition of three police officers to the local force, he said.
“We’re not chasing the next Amazon,” said the mayor. “We’re playing this wonderful hand we have of supporting the best family-owned businesses in the state of Illinois.” Some $500,000 in Business Development District funds have been reinvested in the Downtown area, along with $2.5 million in economic development incentives provided to developers who have invested locally.
“I’m a big believer in plans,” said the mayor, noting that the Village’s efforts in that regard are “all active, not put on a shelf.” Indeed, Village Hall’s plate is quite full: An Active Transportation Plan to accommodate non-vehicle modes of getting around, including additional sidewalks – a very basic infrastructure – has just been completed. The Village’s zoning code, at more than 50 years old, is being updated. A parking study is being done for the downtown area. The Village is following the long-term Comprehensive Plan that was created just a couple of years ago.
Another priority is population growth, said Phelan. “We really need to work on bringing people back to Peoria Heights,” he said, with the Heights down some 2,000 people from its population peak of more than 50 years ago.
Finally, the mayor praised the Chamber of Commerce, with which the Village has partnered to offer some of the most popular events in all of central Illinois, the Taste of the Heights and the Kris Kringle Market among them.
Barb Milaccio, the Chamber’s outgoing Board president, noted that the Heights has become known regionally for its “awesome restaurants” and opportunities for small business owners. “The word’s out there that we’re a hot place,” she said.
In other Chamber-related news, it was announced that Steven Cook, with Ipava Trust & Wealth Management, will succeed Milaccio as the next Board president. Hannah Hernandez of EQBM Design Company will become the Board vice president.
“There’s great opportunity for the future,” said Milaccio. “I invite you all to get involved.”
Village Hall Holiday Hours:
Friday, December 20:
Closing at 10:30 am for Employee Christmas Party
Christmas Eve:
Closing at Noon
New Years Eve:
Closing at 2:00 pm
The Village of Peoria Heights has been awarded two grants totaling more than $760,000 for accessibility improvements to Glen Avenue.
Specifically, the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has approved two grants – one for $653,271 in Transportation Alternative Set-Aside and $107,278 in a Surface Transportation Block Grant – for ramp reconstruction on East Glen Avenue that meets Americans With Disability Act (ADA) standards. Tri-County is the administrative agent for federal transportation funds in the Peoria-Pekin Urbanized Area.
The Village applied for the grant last spring for a project estimated at $1.13 million in total. There will be a local match, specifically undetermined at this time, though it was previously ballparked at about $250,000.
Glen Avenue represents a very important corridor in Peoria Heights, as it is either home to or touches the schools campus, the Peoria Heights Public Library, Village Hall, Tower Park and the Central Business District. Meanwhile, it also is intersected by the Rock Island Greenway.
This investment represents the first phase of a project that aims for the complete restoration of the length of the road from basically Prospect Road to Knoxville Avenue through the Village, making it safer for vehicles and pedestrians and more conducive to active modes of transportation including bikers.
“We’re just very pleased to receive this grant, and grateful to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission for recognizing this important need in the Village of Peoria Heights,” said Mayor Michael Phelan. “Updating aging infrastructure in the Village is a major priority for us, and with the help of grants like this one, we are making significant progress. We intend for that to continue, making Peoria Heights an even better place to live, work and invest.”
“The improvements to Glen Avenue perfectly align with the goals of our
Active Transportation Plan, which focuses on making our streets safer
and more accessible for walking, biking, and connecting neighborhoods
to schools, parks, and businesses,” said Danny Phelan, the Peoria County Board member whose District 9 covers the Village of Peoria Heights. He also serves on Tri-County’s Executive Board.
“What’s even more exciting is that this project isn’t just about fixing
problems, it’s about building a vision for the future. After hearing
feedback from the public, the Village is taking a crucial first step
toward creating a more accessible, walkable and bike-friendly
community,” Phelan added. “I’m especially proud of the teamwork involved in securing this grant. With funding like this being so competitive, being awarded $760,000 is a significant achievement and a big win for our Village. … It feels especially gratifying to see funding like this come back to a district I represent.
“This isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about creating a healthier,
more sustainable, and economically vibrant future for our community.”
For more information on this and other projects, please feel free to contact Community Development Director Wayne Aldrich at 309-686-2385 or at waldrich@f-w.com.
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF BOARD MEETING
The December 17, 2024 regularly scheduled Village Board Meeting has been cancelled.
The boil order has been lifted for residents in the 400-600 blocks of Moneta Ave from California to Boulevard.
You may resume normal water use.
There are currently no boil orders in the Village.
If you have any questions, please call:
309-686-2375.
The Village of Peoria Heights Water Department has issued a boil order for customers in the 400-600 blocks of Moneta Ave from California to Boulevard due to a water main repair.
Water service was disrupted for repairs.
Service will be restored shortly.
Thank You
The Peoria Heights Village Board approved the expenditure of more than $229,000 for computer upgrades to its public water system, specifically to controls for its pumps and towers, at its Nov. 19 meeting.
The vote was unanimous though concerns were expressed about not going out for bids prior to approving the work.
“I’m not sure I’m real comfortable with this,” said Mayor Michael Phelan. “My concern’s a level playing field.
“You’re spending $229,000 of public money and not giving everyone an opportunity to bid on it.”
Ultimately, the Village found itself in something of “a jam” given its computer control system’s continuing reliance on an old landline service that AT&T could drop at any time, Public Works Superintendent Chris Chandler explained. Meanwhile, the Village has worked previously with the provider, Missouri-based R.E. Pedrotti Company, which was already up to speed on the system, Chandler said. In addition, going through the bid process could have meant delaying the work by “at least six months,” on a job needing arguably emergency attention, at perhaps double the cost or more, he said.
“Anybody else is going to start from scratch,” said Chandler, adding that Pedrotti’s price is “very reasonable.”
Municipal governments do not have to go out for bid for professional services, though it’s not an uncommon practice to do so anyway. The Village’s water consultant, Woodard and Curran, helped select Pedrotti.
Though the money was not specifically budgeted, the Village has $400,000 available due to lead line replacement being postponed for a year. That should more than cover the cost of these updates, which are part of the Village’s renewed attention to its water infrastructure after many years of previous administration neglect.
In other action or discussion:
The Village Board approved a Business Development District (BDD) grant of nearly $7,000 for Joseph Fritsch and Jam Prospect General Partnership for exterior renovations at 4542 N. Prospect Rd. The now-vacant site previously housed Cayenne, a Mexican restaurant, and will soon contain another eatery by the name of Casa Agave. Its owners, Jose and Nora Leon, currently operate Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill in Peoria’s Metro Centre.
Sales tax-producing businesses in the Business Development District charge an extra 1 percent sales tax, the proceeds of which go into a locally controlled fund that is then available for redistribution for improvements just like these. The money will be spent on a new front window and awning.
Complaints have grown about the Heights’ new waste hauler, GFL Environmental, which purchased the Village’s contract with Elmwood-based G&O Disposal last July.
GFL is a large company with garbage-pickup contracts in about 80 communities, Peoria being the largest, with Washington and Morton among its clients.
“We expected a few bumps in the road when they took over but it’s been unbelievable,” said Village Administrator Dustin Sutton, who encouraged residents upset with their service to make administration aware, through the Village’s online portal and by calling, so that those issues can be brought to the company’s attention and addressed.
With three years left on the Village’s contract with GFL, some trustees questioned what could be done in the interim if service doesn’t improve. Village Attorney Mark Walton said that while contracts can be terminated for failure to meet their terms, in practice that can be a very tall order, as “it has to be pretty egregious for them to be in default.” Meanwhile, litigation is expensive and there needs to be a backup plan in place.
Indeed, there are not a ton of options for other waste haulers, noted Phelan. Doing garbage pickup in-house, meanwhile, can be very cost prohibitive.
“We were very spoiled with G&O,” said Sutton. “They (GFL) are on notice.”
Count on double the holiday fun this year as the Kris Kringle Market in the Heights, by popular demand, expands to two weekends.
The Market returns to Peoria Heights’ Tower Park, 1222 E. Kingman Ave., from 4 to 8 p.m. this coming Friday, Nov. 29, highlighted by Santa and Mrs. Claus’s annual arrival by fire truck and the lighting of the community Christmas tree. The holiday festivities pick back up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, and then again on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7, same times as the previous weekend.
Admission to these Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce events is free and the public is more than welcome.
A record 32 vendors will sell their wares during one or both of the weekends, doing so from the six classic holiday huts acquired by the Heights Chamber of Commerce over the last couple of years, six rented and decorated storage containers that are new this year, and pop-up tents. Expect to find holiday-themed gifts, foods and candies, artwork of various kinds, quilts, jewelry, wreaths, candles, etc.
Meanwhile, Bust’d Brewing and the 33 Room will be offering up holiday refreshments, and food will be provided by Swanee’s Soft Pretzels and The Station food truck. Café Santa Rosa will have a booth selling its coffees and other treats, as well.
On the first Friday, bells will be distributed to the children in attendance so that Santa can hear his way to Tower Park. Following the traditional singalongs and the lighting of the tree, there will be an opportunity for a meet-and-greet and photo with Santa near the Tower Park fountain.
There also will be a Tree of Well Wishes for people to write their season’s sentiments and attach them to the branches, and children wishing to communicate their Christmas wish lists to Santa can drop off a letter at the North Pole mailbox on site. Everyone who does and leaves a proper home address will receive a reply from the Jolly Old Elf himself.
Expect to see Santa and his better half out and about in Downtown Peoria Heights on Prospect Avenue on Saturday, Nov. 30, which of course is Small Business Saturday. Come to town and make a day of it. The second weekend will brag special guests The Grinch and Frosty the Snowman.
Finally, the annual Chocolate in the Heights is Saturday, Dec. 14, with participating shops and restaurants offering chocolate-inspired goodies for all to enjoy.
There’s no place like the Heights during the holidays!