Construction would spare mausoleum

New athletic fields and the future construction of Pioneer Parkway connecting to a new Peoria Notre Dame High School in Northwest Peoria will not affect the American Mausoleum, officials said Monday.

The mausoleum, which faced difficulties during a bankruptcy in 2008 but is currently maintained by the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office, will not be removed from its location along Allen Road to make room for nearby construction.

"We might need some of the land adjacent to it," Public Works Director David Barber said, "but I don't believe we'll touch the mausoleum."

The building itself, which suffered from disrepair before its former owners declared bankruptcy, has a new roof to keep it secured. It's only heated as necessary, but there are about 2,300 caskets interred inside the building, and 700 urns.

New furniture also is on its way, as part of a recent court settlement with Illinois Furniture for operating fraudulent "going out of business" sales. About $3,000 in furniture will be placed inside the facility.

"We've accepted a duty and will not abandon our responsibility to the community to maintain those interred there," State's Attorney Jerry Brady said. "We would assure them that the dignity of their loved ones interred at American Mausoleum is maintained and preserved regardless of whether the road does or does no go through."

The future of development around the mausoleum goes before the Peoria City Council at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, with elected officials voting on a special use permit to allow Peoria Notre Dame to build its football, soccer, track and field and baseball facilities on residentially zoned land at 7600 N. Villa Lake Drive.

Charlie Roy, principal at Notre Dame, said he believes the school's construction, and Pioneer Parkway's extension, will be "respectful" toward the mausoleum. Fifth District City Councilman Dan Irving, who represents the area, also says he doesn't believe there will be any problems.

The biggest concern with Notre Dame's development comes from Villa Lake Condo Association members, who didn't want heavy construction equipment traveling along Villa Lake Drive. Irving and Roy both said that issue has been resolved because there will be two other entrances into the property - one off Allen Road and the other off Willow Knolls Road.

Randy Yaiser, board president of the condominium association, said residents have existing concerns about safety for people who attend a football game, especially with limited entrances into the facility.

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Construction would spare mausoleum