Author: joeward7

The City of Springfield needs to quit playing games with regard to the Iowa-based developer Bluffstone, Inc.

We keep hearing how we need downtown apartments and redevelopment downtown, but it appears Brad Schaive, business manager of laborers union Local 477, is using his political muscle to hold this project up in committee.

Let’s not forget the primary reason for creating these Tax Increment Financing districts: to attract these types of projects to blighted areas and ultimately boost the tax base, benefiting our taxing bodies, such as District 186, with increased revenue.

Yes, local construction jobs would be a bonus, but I’m pretty sure Bluffstone, which is signing the $10 million note, will put this out for bid to protect its bottom line. I also know that with a contingency clause or two, this could move out of committee to be debated and voted up or down based upon its merits.

Our newly elected mayor and city council have a choice: continue to bully Bluffstone, in which case it may take this project to a more receptive city, or be bold and choose to work with the company. We shall soon see if Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin is the only voice looking out for Springfield’s long-term interest.

Tom Giacomini

Springfield

http://www.sj-r.com/

Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register

Discount grocer Ruler Foods plans to build at the site of the soon-to-be-demolished Esquire Theatre in Springfield. A representative for the property owner confirmed Thursday that Ruler Foods, a discount brand of the Kroger supermarket chain, has a contract to purchase the property and has begun site testing.

It would be the second Ruler Foods in Springfield

Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register

A roughly $10 million proposed housing project slated for downtown Springfield hangs in the balance, and Tuesday’s city council meeting could determine whether the developer continues with or abandons the proposal.

Iowa-based Bluffstone Inc., which specializes in student-geared housing, has proposed a five-story, 70-unit development for the corner of Fourth and Madison streets

Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register

The Springfield City Council is expected to take action this summer on restructuring electric rates and whether to strongly push forward on Hunter Lake, the long-debated proposal for a backup water source. Mayor Jim Langfelder said he hopes to have an electric fund rate restructuring plan to present to the city council sometime in July and a resolution supporting Hunter Lake within the next month

Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register

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Aldermen also passed two ordinances related to the Stanford Avenue extension project, after hearing a presentation on the proposed work from Public Works Director Mark Mahoney, who said the connection will create “a continuous east-west link across the south side of the city,” improve emergency vehicle access and encourage economic development.

Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin previously had questioned whether funding for the project could have been scaled back and devoted to other major corridors

Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register

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The city council next week will also consider a pair of ordinances dealing with purchasing property at 2601 Taylor Ave. from Joseph Nielson for $125,000 for the Stanford Avenue extension project between Fox Bridge Road and Taylor Avenue.

The second measure would notify the Illinois Department of Transportation that $125,000 in motor fuel tax funds may be used to purchase that land.

Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin questioned whether the multiphase Stanford extension project could be scaled back to address some of the other “major commercial gateways” in Springfield. “This is a really expensive project, and we have many other corridors in the city that need attention,” McMenamin said.

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See more at: http://www.sj-r.com/

Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register

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Aldermen on Tuesday also sent two ordinances related to the Stanford Avenue extension project back to committee for discussion at next week’s committee of the whole meeting. Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin, who made the motion, said it’s a costly project and there are other gateways to the city that need attention and funding.

“There are several aldermen who want to revisit that,” McMenamin said.

See more at: http://www.sj-r.com/article/20150519/NEWS/150519390/0/SEARCH/?Start=1

Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register

Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder is a proponent of requiring the city’s new hires to dwell within its boundaries, and he will likely bring up a residency requirement proposal “sooner rather than later,” he said last week.

While a majority of Springfield’s 10 aldermen said last week that they could support a residency requirement with certain stipulations

Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register

At MacArthur Park Apartments, a complex once teeming with building code and safety violations and criminal activity, police calls are down, and units occupied by families are on the rise. “Overall, I think it’s turned around tremendously,” said Springfield police officer Tamara Walcher, the neighborhood officer for that part of Springfield.

Police calls for service have gradually decreased since 201

Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register

THE ESQUIRE THEATRE site — once the building is gone — is ideal for a grocery store, two 36-unit condos, standalone retail centers and 137 parking spaces. At least that was the idea in the fall of 2010.

The Lakota Group urban planning and consulting firm offered its vision after several months of working up and down the MacArthur Boulevard, interviewing business owners and residents. Five years ago, the big challenge remained what to do with the former theater building at MacArthur and South Grand Avenue by either repairing it or knocking it down.