As we bid farewell to 2024 and look forward to ringing in the new year, I would like to share some of what our team has accomplished this year. The City has taken many strides this year toward improving its aging infrastructure and modernizing its aging facilities. We recognize that not only is it our responsibility to seek new growth, but it is our responsibility to better maintain the City’s current infrastructure. The Council and staff work incredibly hard to deliver on both.  

We made the decision to tackle a number of large capital projects this year. The $12.2 million dollar Springfield Road project included a mill and overlay, the installation of new curbing, new storm water inlets and outfalls, new sewer and water main, and a widening of the pedestrian lanes to improve public safety. We also invested nearly $2 million dollars in the East Washington Street project, which included the installation of new ADA ramps and a resurfacing of the road pavement, and nearly $1 million dollars making much needed improvements to the Veterans Drive bridge. Despite its major investment in these particular projects, the City managed to invest more dollars in both its residential street maintenance and water and sewer main replacement programs than in previous years. We look to increase funding for both of these programs in 2025.

We continue to make improvements to EastSide Centre. Another turf project is currently underway, and our goal is to ensure that EastSide remains one of the top athletic facilities in the Midwest. In keeping with tradition, the Festival of Lights held its 40th Annual Parade of Lights in November. This year’s parade included forty floats for forty years, the streaming of Christmas music on the floats, and thousands of spectators lighting the parade route with festive glow sticks bearing a black and white version of the City’s new icon. 

One of our top priorities is public safety. The construction of Fire Station 2, which is located along Centennial Drive and opened earlier this year, took nearly forty years to come to fruition and serves as a perfect example of how collaboration between local and state entities can benefit us all. The strategic location of the new fire station will drastically reduce the department’s response time and better serve our citizens. Construction of the City’s new police station is next on our agenda and is slated to begin this month. The City has hired River City Construction as its Construction Manager At-Risk. The $22 million dollar project recently went out for competitive bid, and we are pleased to announce that the bids came in under our total estimated costs. The new two-story building will feature nearly 41,000 sq ft of functional space. With a fully staffed police department of fifty-one sworn officers, four records clerks, and an administrative assistant, the added space and functionality of the new station will better meet the needs and requirements of the department for decades to come. 

The City recently announced the results of its branding initiative. East Peoria, East to Excellence. We thank all who participated in this initiative and look forward to using the new brand narrative when describing the East Peoria community to an organization, event, or business. Community pride will always be at the heart of all that we accomplish together.

The ongoing and recently announced redevelopment projects will only add to our success as a community. Sometimes we must all take a step back and realize that our community has a lot to be thankful for and a lot to look forward to. Thank you for your continued support and rest assured that our team recognizes that the needs of our community always come first.

Wishing you and your family a blessed holiday season!

Sincerely,
John