The downtown Peoria skyline is altering with the teardown of the iconic AFL-CIO Labor Temple, paving the way for an expanded Salvation Army men's shelter. Demolition crews began their work Monday, according to WCBU, marking the initial phase of a transformation aimed at meeting the growing demand for homeless services in the area. The new facility is expected to increase its bed capacity from 52 to 82, providing essential reprieve for a vulnerable segment of the community.
Expected to span 19,000 square feet over two floors, the ambitious project addresses more than just the issue of housing. Salvation Army's Regional Commander, Maj. Heath Sells expressed that, alongside improved dormitories and dining facilities, separate areas for sleeping, eating, and daytime programming will enhance dignity for clients, 25News Now reported. The demolition is expected to take between two and four months, with the entire project slotted to finish by the end of 2026.
Challenging the stigma sometimes faced by homeless single men, Sells has been vocal about the Salvation Army's mission to offer unwavering support. "We don’t want to be in a position where we just assume," Sells told WCBU. "So we want to come alongside them, treat them with dignity and walk through them with their paths and whatever that takes to bring them into full housing."
