PEORIA — A new police substation to serve the Peoria Police Department’s large northern districts will be constructed in conjunction with a new Advanced Medical Transport facility just off Allen Road.
The city of Peoria and AMT, a privately run ambulance company that operates in Peoria, have come to an agreement that would see two buildings constructed on a chunk of land owned by AMT near Allen Road in North Peoria. One of those buildings would be used by AMT, and the other would become a police substation — essentially a new station to serve the police department’s northern districts.
Peoria has $3.5 million allocated for the construction. AMT will title Peoria’s portion of the land to the city after the two buildings are constructed, for an agreed upon price. The price will be pro-rata and based on AMT”s original purchase price of the parcel.
Police Chief Brad Dixon told the City Council, which approved the plan Tuesday night, that the new substation would allow both uniformed officers and civilian employees of the police department to work more effectively in the northern districts of the city.
The new substation would also allow civilians to file police reports and speak to officers and detectives in North Peoria without having to make the trek to Downtown Peoria, where the department is headquartered.
The police department currently has a building off Altorfer Drive that was built in the 1960s and has been used by the department since 1997, Dixon said. Dixon said that building is “not functional” for what the department needs.
On Tuesday night the City Council unanimously approved a letter of intent agreement between the city and AMT, which spells out the terms of the deal, chief among which says AMT will be responsible for the construction of both buildings. The city, however, will be allowed to review and approve the construction plans.
Mayor Rita Ali applauded the deal, calling it a smart proposal and a “win-win” opportunity for AMT and the city.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria Police Department to build new station in North Peoria
Reporting by JJ Bullock, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By JJ Bullock, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
