EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Commissioners in East Peoria took the first step towards purchasing farmland Tuesday evening, with ideas already focusing on how to use it.
The city council unanimously approved on first reading the purchase of 272 acres of land in the area of U.S. Route 24, Centennial Drive, and Grange Road. A second reading and vote to make the purchase official will take place at the July 21st meeting.
The city is purchasing the land won at auction for $5.25 million, and is planning to use general fund reserves to cover the cost.
Mayor John Kahl, echoing a Facebook post he made on Monday, clarified what the city intends to use the land for, and what will not go there.
“There are no intentions of a data center or a solar farm,” Kahl said. “We have folks that want to see residential growth along that corridor, and that’s our goal.”
Commissioner Dan Decker concurred with the mayor, noting that he would like to see more residential development because of decreasing enrollment at the high school.
