Peoria council approves GROW Community special use for 1924 Southwest Adams with limits and security

Peoria — The City Council on Jan. 27 approved a special-use permit allowing GROW Community to operate a residential mental-health and workforce program at 1924 Southwest Adams, imposing a limit of 12 residents, a requirement for at least one security staff member on site 24 hours a day when participants are present, and a nontransferability condition.

The vote followed an extended public hearing that included presentations from the organization’s leaders, questions from council members, and competing testimony from nearby business owners. Councilmember Jackson moved the amended conditions and Councilmember Gordon Young seconded; the motion passed after recorded opposition from five council members.

GROW’s chief executive, identified in city remarks as Mr. Mallory, described the project as a structured mental-health and workforce-development program rather than a traditional halfway house. "This is an opportunity for individuals to get treatment, to get support, and to build workforce development skills," he said, outlining a day that includes morning cognitive-behavioral therapy and afternoon job training including on-site work such as screen printing. He told council the organization expects 10–12 residents, that program funding is primarily through Medicaid and organizational surplus, and that renovation cost estimates discussed ranged from about $250,000 up to $1,000,000, not including the property purchase price.

Business owners and other opponents questioned the organization’s readiness and financial records, noting several related entities in state filings that showed lapsed or dissolved status and urging more time for review. "This should be deferred and let's get what's really gonna go on," said Pat Sullivan, a downtown property owner and longtime business operator who recommended delaying a vote until the city and neighbors could verify details about the facility and the developer’s plans.

Supporters and some council members stressed the need for local reentry services. Councilmember Riggenbach said the materials presented at the meeting "are extremely helpful in telling us who GROW is," and recommended conditions including a maximum resident count, round-the-clock security, and confirmation of building code compliance prior to occupancy.

City staff and counsel confirmed that the special-use permit includes conditions requiring building permits and a certificate of occupancy before residents may occupy the property. Counsel noted the permit language already requires compliance with city building codes and that staff would verify certificates before occupancy.

The formal motion adopted by the council included the following key conditions: (1) no more than 12 residents at any time; (2) at least one security staff member on-site 24/7 while participants are present (waived when no participants are on site); (3) the special-use permit is nontransferable; and (4) compliance with all building permits and issuance of a certificate of occupancy before the program may commence operations.

Councilmembers recorded in the meeting minutes as voting against the amended motion were listed as Velpula, Kelly, Euler, Cyr and Carmona; the motion carried with the remainder of the council in favor. The council also asked staff to ensure clear communications between the organization, state housing partners and city inspectors so necessary inspections and lender-specified milestones can proceed without inadvertently blocking financing or closing.

Next steps: The organization must complete required building and life-safety upgrades, receive a certificate of occupancy, and meet the permit conditions before housing residents. City staff will monitor compliance and the council indicated it expects ongoing scrutiny and community reporting once operations begin.