Author: joeward7

John Reynolds
The State Journal-Register

Neighborhoods near Pasfield Golf Course and the Town and Country Shopping Center have been repeatedly targeted by burglars recently.

Crime Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard Counties issued an advisory this week that said police have taken several burglary reports in areas that include neighborhoods north and west of Pasfield all the way to West Jefferson Street, as well as near the shopping center. Pasfield is at Lawrence Avenue and Chatham Road; Town and Country is on South MacArthur Boulevard.

“First and foremost, always lock doors to garages, storage sheds and vehicles

Mary Hansen
The State Journal-Register

A proposed $1 billion natural gas power plant near Pawnee could mean $19.7 million in lost revenue for City Water, Light and Power over the next 20 years, a study commissioned by the city of Springfield and released this week shows. City officials say the findings could be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations over tax incentives with Houston-based EmberClear Corp., the company proposing the 1,100-megawatt plant.

The proposed plant could depress energy prices while congesting electricity transmission lines in the area, which drives

Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register

Construction at the Sherwood Plaza shopping center and former Kmart building on Wabash Avenue includes plans for Binny’s Beverage Depot, Outback Steakhouse and Burlington Coat Factory, according to regulatory filings by the property owner. A city zoning commission this week unanimously recommended approval of the first phase of the project.

“They’re ready to go. It’s close to a $20 million investment when you consider the external construction, new buildings and interior work,” said Ald. Joe McMenamin, whose

Mary Hansen
The State Journal-Register

A study from an energy research firm shows a proposed natural gas power plant in Pawnee would have a negative effect on City Water, Light and Power, Springfield’s city attorney told aldermen last week.

But utility and city officials are keeping quiet on just what a negative impact means for CWLP’s coal-fired power plant because they say it could tip their hand in negotiations with

Mary Hansen
The State Journal-Register

Representatives from five neighborhood groups sparred with developers and builders at Tuesday’s Springfield City Council meeting over a proposal requiring new apartment complexes and storage-unit construction to go through an additional review process, including getting sign-off from the council.

Aldermen defeated the proposal from Mayor Jim Langfelder that neighborhood associations supported to extend the review process to multi-family residential and storage-unit projects. As the rules stand now, projects that are over 12 acres are required to

The State Journal-Register

The pitch sounds great: About 120 new, quarter-of-a-million dollar homes, built east of Hilltop Road in Springfield where nothing currently stands. We aren’t opposed to seeing new housing constructed in the city, but we’re troubled with the way Rochester Route 29 Group wants to get it built. The developers are asking the city to establish a new tax increment financing district that would help put in streets, sewers and other infrastructure needs.

But developers John Stites and Todd Byers are seeking different type of TIF than the existing eight in the city. Most TIFs are in already developed areas that have fallen into

Mary Hansen
The State Journal-Register

Two Rochester-based developers have plans to build nearly 130 houses on vacant land east of Hilltop Road. And they’re looking to the city of Springfield to help finance putting in streets, sewers and other infrastructure by establishing a new tax increment financing district. The project, dubbed River Chase Landing, is facing its first preliminary hurdle Tuesday, with the Springfield City Council set to consider a resolution declaring its intent to establish the TIF district.

Developers with Rochester Route 29 Group Inc. are promising union construction jobs and increased property values, which could bring in some much-needed cash to the city. But supporters must still prove

Mary Hansen
The State Journal-Register

A Springfield alderman is questioning the city attorney’s role in tweaking rules for approving shopping plazas, apartment complexes and other large developments while he co-owns a shopping area.

At Thursday’s MacArthur Boulevard Association monthly meeting, Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin took up the matter with city attorney Jim Zerkle. Their exchange came just days after a new city rule took effect that increases from five to 12 acres the size of projects that must go through a large-scale

Mary Hansen
The State Journal-Register

***

City leaders gathered Friday to call for unity and announce plans for a summer jobs and activities program for youth. Langfelder said that local businesses have pledged $35,000 to fund the initiative.

Ward 6 Ald. Kristin DiCenso, who voiced concern about the jump in shootings she’s seen in her ward at last week’s council meeting, praised the mayor’s efforts. She also said the Springfield Police Department could use more funding and officers, pointing out that that there are about 20 police officers patrolling the city at any one time.

Ward 2 Ald. Herman Senor emphasized that it was not just the city’s responsibility to address violence, but

Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register

Video gaming in Springfield is at the saturation point if trends in gambling tax collections are an indication.

Taxes on gambling terminals have raised approximately $5.8 million, including license fees, since gaming began in the fall of 2012, according to figures from the city Office of Budget and Management. The city also continued to lead the state at the end of April with 576 terminals at 126 locations