Correction: The James L. Ranney Public Safety Building houses the East Peoria police and fire departments. The name of the building was incorrect in previous editions of this article.
EAST PEORIA — East Peoria’s new $21.5 million police station is on track for completion next summer.
Construction on the 48,000 square-foot facility at 500 W. Camp St. began last year. It will feature a large evidence room, five interview rooms and a community room for in-house training and events.
East Peoria police chief David Catton said the new station is at the “dried-in stage,” with construction on the building’s interior continuing through the winter.
The station is set for some new gear, as well. East Peoria City Council approved a resolution for a five-year $385,444 contract with the Arizona-based technology company Axon Enterprises, Inc., on its first reading during Tuesday’s meeting.
The contract will include installation, recording equipment and licensing for five interview rooms as well as the booking and jail areas at the new station. Axon also will provide Taser 10 equipment to replace the department’s expiring contract.
Why East Peoria needed a new police station
The department needed a new station, Catton added, because it had outgrown its current space. The police and fire departments share the 65,000 square-foot James L. Ranney Public Safety Building at 201 W. Washington St. When the police department moves, the fire department will remain in the Ranney Building.
“The new facility will allow for community engagement, better evidence storage, and safer evidence testing, as well as meeting our growing technology needs,” Catton said.
East Peoria director of planning and community development Ty Livingston said construction has proceeded on schedule and projected that the new station would be finished sometime after July 4, 2026. The project will cost an estimated $21 million from the city’s general revenue funds.
“The location is designed to be highly visible to the community,” Livingston added. “Given the requirements placed upon police these days, the new facility will provide for requirements like training, file storage and equipment, as well as being able to accommodate future needs.”
Catton said the new station will provide public safety visibility in the Levee District area. The current station is located next to railroad tracks, so relocating the station will facilitate faster responses to calls.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: New East Peoria police station moves into next stage of construction
Reporting by Mike Kramer, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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