Joe McMenamin for Ward 7Joe McMenamin
The Illinois Times
MISJUDGMENT
On the night of passage, cosponsor Ald. Kristin DiCenso offered no fiscal analysis of the sports complex, despite our city ordinances requiring her to do so. Such analysis would have also disclosed the fiscal impact of the Mattoon sports complex entering construction sooner than Springfield’s. Clearly these sports complexes cannot all eat the same lunch.
Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin
Dean Olsen
The Illinois Times
Ryan McCrady likened Springfield’s future economic benefits from the $67 million sports complex approved April 18 by the City Council to much more than a ripple created by a rock dropped into a water puddle.
“We’re going to be throwing a boulder into it with this project, and that’s going to create a tremendous impact all across the community,” said McCrady, president and chief executive officer of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, an economic development organization.
Proposals for a youth sports complex in various locations have been considered and then fizzled out since the mid-1990s, but this latest version – a public-private partnership to create Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe – appears on track to become reality.
Steven Spearie
The State Journal-Register
Ward 6 Ald. Kristin DiCenso has been one of the most vocal supporters of the Scheels Sports Complex at Legacy Pointe. DiCenso noted Tuesday she has sat through endless meetings with developers, with labor union heads and other allies of the projects.
Just weeks before going off the city council, DiCenso, who did not seek reelectionon April 4, had some pointed advice for members considering an amended development agreement that would mean a larger financial commitment from the city.
Among those supporting the amendment Tuesday were Ward 2 Ald. Shawn Gregory and Ward 3 Ald. Roy Williams Jr., both “no” votes from the initial 2021 vote. That left Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin, who is also leaving the council, as the lone “no” vote.
Dean Olsen
The Illinois Times
The Springfield City Council defeated a proposal March 7 to reconsider its previous decision granting Horace Mann Educators Corp. up to $600,000 in property tax revenues to tear down deteriorating hundred-year-old buildings in the downtown historic district.
But after the 6-3 council vote, Horace Mann officials left open the possibility for modifications to what the company described as a beautification project in the 600 block of East Washington Street.
Steven Spearie
The State Journal-Register
The Springfield City Council refused Tuesday to take up the reconsideration of a Feb. 21 vote that gave Horace Mann Educators Corp. $600,000 in tax increment financing (TIF) funds to help pay for a proposed tear-down of two buildings on East Washington Street. The tear down would pave the way for construction of 28 parking spots and green space.
The rebuff came despite a proposal from the Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation that called for a partial demolition on the back side of one of the structures, stabilization of the buildings, and a
Dean Olsen
The Illinois Times
The Springfield City Council may reconsider its Feb. 21 vote granting Horace Mann Educators Corp. $600,000 in tax-increment financing revenues to demolish two downtown buildings and create a parking lot and green space in the 600 block of East Washington Street.
Ward 8 Ald. Erin Conley said she will ask the council at its March 7 meeting to reconsider the 7-2 vote. If the council agrees to do so, another debate and vote on the proposal to use TIF funds for the project will take place.
Steven Spearie
The State Journal-Register
A Springfield City Council member who voted for a redevelopment agreement granting Horace Mann $600,000 in tax increment financing (TIF) funds to demolish two buildings in the 600 block of East Washington Street wants to reconsider.
Ward 8 Ald. Erin Conley admitted at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting that she was “a reluctant ‘yes'” on the initial vote that passed 7-2 and plans to bring back the vote for reconsideration at the full city council meeting Tuesday.
Ward 6 Ald. Kristin DiCenso and Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin were the lone “no” votes on the matter. McMenamin admitted he voted against the project because
Steven Spearie
The State Journal-Register
Over the objections of the Downtown Springfield Heritage Foundation and Landmarks Illinois, the Springfield City Council Tuesday approved an ordinance that will give Horace Mann tax increment financing funds to demolish two buildings in the 600 block of East Washington Street.
Ward 6 Ald. Kristin DiCenso and Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin voted against the redevelopment agreement.
Donald Carley, executive vice president and general counsel at Horace Mann, and
Patrick Keck
The State Journal-Register
Portions of townships in Sangamon County could be dissolved into the city of Springfield pending voter action in the upcoming April consolidated election.
The election will have three separate votes regarding townships — one for Springfield voters and the others for residents of Springfield and Woodside townships.
The language in all the questions pertain to whether township areas within the city limits should remain part of the townships or if they should be annexed into Springfield. All are “advisory”
Steven Spearie
The State Journal-Register
Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said it was new territory for the city council to release an audio recording of one of its executive sessions. That’s exactly what will happen if an ordinance gets through the consent agenda at the Feb. 21 city council meeting.
The committee of the whole sent it there with no discussion prior to a voice vote Tuesday night.
The aftermath, though, brought a spirited exchange between Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin and
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 