Center Bluff resident asks Peoria council to fund repair of dark street lights on Knoxville Avenue

Eric Hutchison, a volunteer with the Center Bluff Neighborhood Association, told Peoria City Council during the biennial budget public hearing that seven contiguous street lights on Knoxville Avenue between Corrington and McClure have been out for some time and need work beyond simple bulb replacement.

Hutchison described the stretch as having businesses and facilities on both sides of the street, including a Planned Parenthood clinic and Whitney Veterinary Hospital on the west side, and an OSF Children’s Hospital facility and the Knoxville Center for Student Success (an alternative high school that offers night classes) on the east side. “So, fixing the lights is more complicated than replacing bulbs. That’s why it’s taken a while to get it done,” Hutchison said, and noted that underground wiring likely needs repair.

Hutchison said the street-lighting item is listed in the city’s capital list but is currently unfunded, and suggested the council consider options — including a community-sourced solar solution mentioned to him by a neighbor — to reduce cost and speed repairs. He asked council to “support this as best that you can and get it to the point where it can actually begin.”

Mayor Ali thanked Hutchison for the input; the public hearing on the biennial budget remained open during the commenter’s remarks and was later closed by council vote.

Ending: The lighting request was entered into the public record as part of the budget hearing; staff previously acknowledged the project in capital listings and the council asked staff to provide budget report backs during the meeting.