Peoria Courthouse Plaza could have ‘transformational' makeover by the fall
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — New water features, LED lights and a new Lincoln memorial monument could be on its way for the Peoria County Courthouse.
A $6.6 million project that would be a facelift to the courthouse plaza was approved Monday by the infrastructure committee of the Peoria County Board who will consider final approval at the next board meeting.
Major changes could be coming to the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza
County Administrator Scott Sorel shares what kind of change people would see to the plaza if the board gives the go-ahead.
'It's going to be transformational,' Sorel said. 'We have two fountains now, those are being completely removed and replaced with different water features.'
The water features would include a water structure similar to a splash pad with cast bronze bison, and a black granite waterfall. Inscribed on the waterfall will be phrases from President Abraham Lincoln's speech in Peoria from 1854. You will be able to sit on the structure as well, when it's not running water.
Another feature that would be a result of construction is LED lights that will line the top of the courthouse that will look similar to what the Murray Baker Bridge has.
Major changes could be coming to the Peoria County Courthouse Plaza
The fall is a quick turnaround for construction, but Sorel said he was told he can be done.
'Our construction manager, which is CORE Construction, has set the schedule,' he said. 'It is aggressive, but they have great confidence that they will achieve it.'
Two reasons why the project is slated for an autumn completion include the city's bicentennial schedule, and the possible trial of former Sangamon County Sheriff deputy Sean Grayson who shot and killed Springfield resident Sonya Massey in July of last year.
A judge agreed to move the case from Springfield to Peoria last month due to pretrial publicity.
'We're going to have more people, whether it be a bigger jury pool or national media coverage or potentially bystanders that are advocating for justice in that trial will be here,' Sorel said. 'We want to make sure that we've got a block and a plaza that can accommodate the increased number of people for that as well.'
If the project goes forward and crews begin working, there will be even more limited parking than there already is around the courthouse. Alternative parking includes the Hamilton Square parking deck and the Niagara parking deck.
A good chunk of that money, as well as other funds to fix up the exterior of the courthouse, comes from the American Rescue Plan Act money.
Beyond fountains, one can also expect better sidewalk lighting. There will be permeable pavers and new pavers that allow for water to seep into the ground rather than run off.
Some of the money will go to updating landscaping and lighting on the area along Jefferson Avenue. Others will go into improving the area at the intersection of Main and Jefferson.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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