The new Levee Park Reading Garden in East Peoria was dedicated on May 2. (Photo courtesy of city of East Peoria)

REGIONAL

OSF HealthCare moves forward with downtown building project

OSF HealthCare is getting closer to seeing its Peoria Ministry headquarters become a reality. The organization has signed a letter of intent with Dewberry for the design and engineering of the new downtown headquarters. 

In January, OSF announced it was buying the property at 124 SW Adams St., Peoria, (commonly known as the former Chase building), from Caterpillar Inc. In addition to the Chase building, Caterpillar donated the Peoria Professional Building, the adjacent parking lot and $3 million to OSF for further development of amenities on the block. 

The success of this project continues to be contingent on the building being listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing building within a historic district. This designation will make the building eligible for Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits to assist OSF with restoration costs. That process is ongoing with final approval expected by mid-summer. 

In anticipation of the historic designation, OSF is moving ahead with design and engineering work on the building. Dewberry will be working with multiple specialty firms throughout Illinois to accomplish all that needs to be done. The project is expected to take at least two years to complete. More than 700 OSF Mission Partners (employees) are expected to work in the downtown Peoria location. 

The city of Washington recently completed its annual hydrant flushing program. (Photo courtesy of city of Washington)

PEKIN

City working on removing substance from building

Following a regular repair, the city has discovered a commonly found fungus in the building located at 111 S Capitol St.

Cladosporium is one of the most common environmental fungi and it is frequently found both in outdoor and indoor environments, according to the city.

Hyphae is also common and found among outdoor and indoor environments. Both substances can be allergenic and irritate asthmatic conditions; however, neither is known to cause toxic effects due to inhalation, according to the city release.

The city began fixing the problem on May 9 and anticipates remediation to be complete by approximately May 18.

The remediation contractors will take reasonable precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure to or the spread of spores during the remediation process.

Affected materials will be removed under containment and using negative pressure equipment wherever possible. Non-cleanable material will be disposed of and replaced.

Parts that can be cleaned will be thoroughly washed and sanitized by remediation experts in conjunction with the regular HVAC service company. Additionally, air purifiers will be installed to mitigate any further issues.

The remediation work is expected to take anywhere from one to three hours depending on the size of the workspace. During that time employees will not be allowed in the work area as it will be temporarily sealed off while technicians are present.

City sends out invited to food truck operators

The city of Pekin is picking up on the food truck trend. The city says it wants to take the hassle out of the food truck licensing. It has put together a guide to help mobile food vendors navigate the permits, licenses, applications, and requirements to operate in Pekin. The process works for venders just stopping through the city and for those planning to be in operation locally all year long. In addition, vendors who sign up now to participate in the Pekin Farmer’s Market the city will waive license fees for the year that runs May 1 through April 30, 2019.

STATE

IEMA helps preparedness for special needs people

Throughout May, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies will highlight the importance of disaster preparedness for people with functional and access needs.

“Disasters can cause power outages, force people to evacuate their homes or create other dangerous situations,” said IEMA Acting Director William P. Robertson. “We encourage everyone to be prepared, especially those who may have medical, functional or access needs.”

Robertson said IEMA has information available on the Ready Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov) to help people and caregivers prepare for emergencies.

A guidebook, Emergency Preparedness Tips for Those with Functional Needs, offers preparedness tips for people with visual, cognitive or mobility impairments, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, those who utilize service animals or life support systems, and senior citizens.

For each functional need, the guidebook provides a list of supplemental items for a disaster kit, tips on developing an emergency plan, suggestions on how to be better informed about community emergency planning, and a checklist of preparedness activities.

The Ready Illinois website also offers more than two dozen preparedness videos in American Sign Language on such topics as what to do before, during and after tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding, how to build an emergency supply kit, and what to do if you’re instructed to evacuate.

Agencies issue safety reminders for boating

The boating season is underway on Illinois’ waterways.  National Safe Boating Week is May 19-25.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reminds boaters that life jackets save lives, and Illinois law requires that life jackets or life vests (personal floatation devices, PFDs) be available for each person aboard a boat or other watercraft.

State law also requires that anyone under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket while aboard any watercraft under 26-feet in length at all times the boat is underway, unless they are below deck in an enclosed cabin or operating on private property.  Illinois law also requires persons of any age to wear a PFD while operating a personal watercraft.

For more information, check the National Safe Boating Council’s “Wear It” campaign website at www.safeboatingcampaign.com.

–Tazewell County News Briefs–