West Peoria News: Holiday buzz about City Hall, and sound of silence

As 2024 begins, change is in the air in West Peoria. With the anticipated completion date of the new city hall planned for the end of 2024, city leaders contemplated building plans before the bid phase of the project with an in-depth look at proposals for the building, site, and floor plans. The proposals include a relocation of the Memorial Wall from its current location at Franciscan Park to the proposed civic plaza. The city will be ushering in a state-of-the-art facility, complete with solar technology, additional meeting room capacity, and well-planned space for the office staff. While plans still need to be confirmed, city officials discussed multiple considerations for the proposals.

A design proposal for a new West Peoria City Hall by pcm+design architects.

Resident input has been invaluable to the city as it gathers information about the community’s needs, priorities, and goals. Data collection from the multi-part series comprehensive plan survey directed the planning process. Links for residents interested in completing the survey are at City of West Peoria website.

SIREN SILENCED

Also, in 2023, sounds around the city have changed. The age-old tradition of ringing the West Peoria Fire Protection District fire whistle has ended, leaving residents buzzing. While some residents reported finding the siren a nuisance, others felt it provided security, signaling that dedicated West Peoria first responders were en route. The change has created many lively discussions over the past weeks.

UP TO DATES

West Peoria Neighborhood Watch meets at 6 p.m. Jan. 10 at West Peoria City Hall. Then, on Jan. 25, West Peoria Seniors are invited to join a free watercolor workshop starting at 1 p.m. when Cindy Wamack, Senior Benefits Advisor with Humana, will lead the class and provide all supplies needed. Attendees of the free workshop can bring watercolors and brushes from home if desired.

KICKAPOO CLEANUP

The Friends of Rocky Glen, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that promotes the health and recreational value of the Kickapoo Creek watershed, has scheduled monthly workdays and hikes throughout the new year. Volunteers will focus on Horseshoe Bottoms on Jan. 6 and Feb. 3 and Rocky Glen Park on Jan. 7 and Feb. 4. Participants should wear shoes and pants that can get muddy; liability waivers are required to participate. Dogs on leashes are welcome. The hikes usually last 90 minutes, while workdays can take between 2-3 hours, weather permitting. Please call or text David Pittman at (309) 573-2354 to confirm your attendance. For more information about the organization, visit friendsofrockyglen.org.

PLANTING TREES

The West Peoria Tree Club has successfully planted 19 trees in the community in 2023 and is planning to plant 12 more this spring. Club representative Alderman Clark Abraham said the club hopes to include a generational aspect to the planting by finding families a tree they can revisit for years.

CITYLINK CALENDAR

The 2024 Peoria Historical Calendar, created by CityLink, features vintage photographs of local educational institutions, including public and private schools, as well as a very early one of Bradley Polytechnic Institute.

Calendars may be obtained (suggested donation $5 with proceeds to benefit the Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service) at the following locations: