Peoria Residents Oppose Sale of Detweiller Riverfront Land

Community group calls on Peoria Park District to negotiate with O'Brien Steel and Detweiller Trust to protect public access

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:58pm

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A serene painting of an empty riverfront marina with a lone small boat docked at the pier, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the community's fight to preserve public access to this treasured space.The pending sale of Detweiller trust land along the Illinois River has sparked concerns over the future of public access to this cherished community resource.Peoria Today

A group of North Valley residents in Peoria, Illinois is strongly opposing the sale of a portion of Detweiller trust land along the Illinois River to O'Brien Steel for expansion. The residents are calling on the Peoria Park District to intervene and negotiate with O'Brien and the Detweiller Trust to revise the property boundaries and protect continued public access to the riverfront marina and greenway trail.

Why it matters

The Detweiller trust land was gifted to the community in perpetuity by Thomas Detweiller, a Civil War veteran and riverboat captain, with the intention of preserving public access to the riverfront. Residents argue the pending sale to a private company violates Detweiller's original vision and will significantly limit community use of the space.

The details

The residents have laid out a series of requests to the Peoria Park District, including negotiating revised property boundaries to allow for more public land, working with current leaseholders like the Peoria Boat Club to ensure continued access, and preventing the closure of Caroline Street which would limit riverfront access. The residents have also filed a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's office, arguing the original sale approval was based on inaccurate information provided by the Detweiller Trust.

  • The sale between Detweiller Trust and O'Brien Steel was originally expected to close by the end of March 2026, but has now been pushed to the end of April 2026.
  • The Peoria Park District board is holding a meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2026 at 6:30pm where residents plan to voice their concerns.

The players

Peoria Park District

The local parks and recreation department that operates the Rock Island Greenway Trail running through the Detweiller property.

O'Brien Steel

A local steel company that has reached a deal to purchase 27 acres of the Detweiller trust land for potential expansion of its headquarters.

Detweiller Playground Trust

The trust that was established by Thomas Detweiller in 1947 to maintain the riverfront land for public use, but is now seeking to sell a portion to O'Brien Steel.

Detweiller Marina Neighborhood Association

A group of North Valley residents who are strongly opposed to the sale of the Detweiller trust land and are calling on the Peoria Park District to intervene.

Thomas Detweiller

The Civil War veteran and riverboat captain who gifted the riverfront land to the community in 1947 with the intention of preserving public access.

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What they’re saying

“We are deeply disappointed in our longtime neighbor, JP O'Brien, who has known us all these years and did not reach out directly. Corporate citizens usually value and respect the community where they're located. They strive to build thriving and resilient communities where they can continue to invest, commit and connect with the people and improve their quality of life.”

— Bill Ordaz, North Valley resident and member of the Detweiller Marina Neighborhood Association

“This man (Detweiller) gave that to us, the community. This gift was supposed to be in perpetuity, not until something better comes along or 'Oh, maybe we can make more money if we do this.' No, that's not what he did.”

— Pat Palmer, North Valley resident

What’s next

The Peoria Park District board is meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2026 at 6:30pm where residents plan to voice their concerns and call for the park district to intervene in negotiations with O'Brien Steel and the Detweiller Trust. The residents have also filed an official complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's office seeking a review of the original sale approval.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the tension between preserving public green spaces and accommodating private commercial interests, as well as the importance of honoring the original intentions behind community land gifts. The outcome will impact access to the Illinois River waterfront for Peoria residents for years to come.