Peoria County details major Courthouse Plaza renovation; project out for bid

Peoria County Administrator Sorrell presented detailed designs March 3 for a multi-block renovation of Courthouse Plaza, saying the project is currently out for bid and will return to the Infrastructure Committee for a contract award next month.

The plan divides the block around the courthouse into five sections and calls for full replacement of aged irrigation systems; removal and replacement of existing ineffective fountains with a new black-granite, sheet-flow fountain in the Main Street Plaza; programmable LED lighting around the top of the building; new permeable pavers; repaired or replaced sandstone paving; new pedestrian-scale lighting and bollards for vehicle protection; and new plantings sized for long-term health.

The project team told members the existing irrigation is ‘‘well beyond life cycle,’’ and the bid package includes complete irrigation replacement. Sorrell said the project will remove roughly 80–90% of the electrical outlets at tree bases and replace about 10–15% with a more weather‑resilient receptacle.

Design changes to the Main Street Plaza include relocating the Lincoln statue slightly closer to the new fountain and mounting the existing Lincoln granite panel to the courthouse façade. Terra Engineering’s design calls for a black granite sheet-flow fountain that doubles as seating when the water feature is off; inscriptions drawn from an historical Lincoln speech are planned for the fountain edges.

In the lower plaza, the county plans to remove existing bluestone and a three‑circle fountain, replace two staircases, and install two types of permeable pavers with native prairie‑style mounds and permanently anchored boulders and cast‑bronze animal sculptures. The plan accommodates one of the county’s bicentennial bison statues in the lower plaza once celebrations conclude.

Committee members asked about accessibility and maintenance. Member Phelan asked specifically about ADA compliance; Administrator Sorrell said accessibility was a key design directive and that Tara had incorporated ADA requirements into the ramp and other transitions. Member Blair asked whether signage would help the public find the relocated accessible ramp; Sorrell replied, "Yes. There will be." Member McCann asked whether the public or board would have later input on specific furnishings and plant selections; Sorrell said the bid documents include alternate specifications and that final choices will depend on bid results and what Tara has specified.

Sorrell said some alternates were added after committee review, including alternates to install permeable pavers or, as another alternate, poured colored-and-stamped concrete in certain areas; the procurement will include additive and deductive alternates to give the county flexibility depending on cost. The project team said replacing non‑permeable surfaces with permeable materials should reduce the county’s stormwater utility fee to the City of Peoria once calculations are finalized.

Members also raised historic‑memorial issues. Member Renault asked, "For the Soldiers and Sailors, if we pour and stamp that area, aren't there personalized stone in that area?" Administrator Sorrell answered that there are no memorial bricks in the immediate Soldiers and Sailors area that would be impacted. Member Salzer suggested the county use the construction period to better publicize available, uninscribed memorial bricks for sale; Sorrell said staff would explore marketing options during construction.

The bid package includes various alternates for pedestrian bollard lighting, benches, tables and trash receptacles; Sorrell said the selected bench and picnic examples in the presentation were representative only. Bids are scheduled to be opened; the Infrastructure Committee will review results and consider a final award at its next regular meeting.

Project costs, final contract award and a construction schedule were not finalized in the presentation and were listed as "out for bid" or "to be determined" in the handout.

Ending

The county will return the package to the Infrastructure Committee for a contract award and to present final bid prices. Administrator Sorrell said staff will provide the committee with the alternates pricing and ADA compliance documentation as bids return.