PEORIA, Ill. (25News Now) -A long-vacant building on Peoria’s south side could finally be coming down after City council members unanimously approved $230,000 for its demolition Tuesday night.
The funding will go toward demolishing the former Adams Street supermarket at 4101-4103 SW Adams Street, a building that has sat vacant for years and fallen into disrepair.
First District Council member Denise Jackson said Tuesday that residents had contacted her about the building, asking when it would be torn down. At-large Council member Bernice Gordon-Young said it would be nice to see green space there.
“It’s been an eyesore for a very, very long time, so it’s going to be just wonderful to see it flattened out, right there when you leave Bloomington and come into Peoria,” said Mayor Rita Ali.
Peoria Community Development Director Joe Dulin said the building has several structural issues, including problems with its walls and roof.
“It’s just a building that hasn’t been upkept by multiple owners throughout the years,” Dulin said. “And it’ll be a very good thing for that part of the city to finally see the building removed.”
The city originally approved up to $200,000 for demolition and environmental remediation at the property in October 2024. However, those plans were delayed after the property owner appealed the city’s demolition order.
Dulin said the legal battle lasted roughly a year-and-a-half before the city ultimately secured a demolition order about a month ago.
The newly approved $230,000 replaces the previously authorized $200,000, rather than adding to it.
Dulin said the increased cost is partly due to asbestos discovered inside the building, which must be removed by licensed professionals before demolition can begin.
With funding approved, environmental cleanup will be the first step in the process.
Dulin said residents may not see major demolition activity for about a month as crews complete the environmental work. The city hopes to have the building torn down before the end of the year.
Beyond removing an eyesore, Dulin believes demolishing the building will benefit the surrounding neighborhood and improve the appearance of one of Peoria’s southern gateways.
“No one wants to live by a vacant building. No one wants to see buildings boarded up,” Dulin said. “And the more and more of those properties we can remediate, the better.”
The city does not currently own the property. Dulin said officials plan to place a lien on it to recover demolition costs and could eventually pursue foreclosure to acquire the land.
City officials hope the property can eventually be redeveloped once the building is removed.
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