MacArthur Boulevard Townhomes – May, 2017
Joe McMenamin and Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners celebrate the newly renovated Boulevard Townhomes at 2715 S. MacArthur Boulevard.
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Open house for MacArthur apartments Sept. 15, 2016
Bruce Rushton
The Illinois Times
Once considered an armpit of apartment complexes in Springfield, a 187-unit complex on the 2700 block of MacArthur Boulevard, formerly called MacArthur Park, is being transformed under new ownership that acquired the property late last year and has been working ever since to change the image.
“We need to get the word out to people: It’s not MacArthur Park anymore,” said Read the rest of this entry »
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Millions in renovations give new look to MacArthur apartment complex Sep. 15, 2016
Mary Hansen
The State Journal-Register
When Dana Chaney, property manager for the 184-unit Boulevard Townhomes on MacArthur Boulevard, moved families in to the newly renovated townhouses in July, she said they were thrilled. The apartments furnished with new stoves, dishwashers, carpets and cabinets are a far cry from the condition city inspectors found the housing complex, then the MacArthur Park Apartments, in five years ago.
With the help of $15 million in financing and approximately $1.3 million in tax credits through the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Kansas-based Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners purchased Read the rest of this entry »
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Little Las Vegas: Dozen gaming locations have Wabash addresses Jul. 16, 2016
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
There are at least a dozen ways to gamble on video terminals along Wabash Avenue, from a service station-convenience store to a soon-to-open Asian food market.
An informal survey by The State Journal-Register and Illinois Gaming Board records show the busy thoroughfare between MacArthur Boulevard and Interstate 72 has become one of the hottest corridors for video gaming in a market that continues to lead the state in Read the rest of this entry »
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Upgrades at MacArthur Park Apartments will bring new name, income guidelines, rent prices Jan. 14, 2016
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
A $6 million upgrade of the long-troubled MacArthur Park Apartments in Springfield comes with a new name, new income guidelines for residents and new local management.
Managing director Tom Anderson of Kansas-based Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners outlined the 12- to 15-month project at a meeting Thursday of the MacArthur Boulevard Association. He said work on the 187-unit complex at 2715 S. MacArthur Blvd. will be done in phases to minimize disruptions for existing residents. Read the rest of this entry »
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“Believe in the Boulevard” award recipients Dec. 14, 2015
Thank you to all who attended our annual meeting and to Hy-Vee MacArthur Boulevard for sponsoring the event. We had a lot to celebrate and have much to look forward to in 2016. Congratulations to our “Believe in the Boulevard” award recipients.
(L-R)
Outstanding MBA volunteer: John Eck for his work on the boulevard business assessment.
Outstanding MBA member: Katie Davison for her work on the Bites on the Boulevard events.
Outstanding MBA neighborhood organizer: Lisa Hills for her work with the newly formed neighborhood association, The Highlands.
Outstanding MBA improvement initiative:Lynn & Joe McMenamin for their work at the MacArthur Park Apartments and Butler School Garden.
See more at: MBA’s Facebook Page
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New owners ready MacArthur Park Apartments for major renovation project Dec. 13, 2015
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
A major renovation of MacArthur Park Apartments in Springfield should begin in the next few weeks.
Kansas-based Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners completed the purchase last week of the 184-unit complex at 2715 S. MacArthur Blvd. The national developer of low- and middle-income housing has filed for dozens of city construction permits in preparation for a project now estimated to cost a little more than $19 million. Read the rest of this entry »
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State housing board approves purchase, renovation of MacArthur Park Apartments Oct. 16, 2015
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
A state housing board has approved up to $15 million in financing and a little more than $1.3 million in tax credits toward the purchase and renovation of the MacArthur Park Apartments in Springfield.
The approval by the Illinois House Development Authority on Friday had been expected by local project supporters. Board spokeswoman Cami Freeman confirmed the approval in an email. Freeman wrote that there was no opposition to the project. Read the rest of this entry »
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Developer outlines plans for major upgrades at MacArthur Park Apartments Oct. 12, 2015
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
A Kansas developer has drawn up detailed plans for restoring the MacArthur Park Apartments in Springfield in preparation for a state ruling this week on up to $15 million in federal assistance for the project.
Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin told a meeting of the MacArthur Boulevard Association last week that plans include significant upgrades of 184 apartments; a raised, 3,000-square-foot garden bed; secured bicycle parking; new landscaping; new picnic tables, enclosures and benches; repair of fences, sidewalks and roads; and new lighting. Read the rest of this entry »
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Decision expected next month on $15M bond issue for MacArthur Park Apartments Sep. 17, 2015
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
A state housing board is expected to decide next month whether to issue up to $15 million in bonds to aid redevelopment of the MacArthur Park Apartments in Springfield. The Illinois Housing Development Authority held a public hearing on the proposed project Thursday in Chicago but received no comments.
“The deal will be presented to the IDHA board meeting in October for review and approval,” board spokeswoman Cami Freeman wrote in an email Thursday. The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16.
Kansas-based developer Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners asked for board approval of the tax-exempt bonds toward the estimated $20 million cost of purchasing and updating the 184-unit complex at 2715 S. MacArthur Blvd. The company, which has developed affordable housing projects nationwide, has a contract to purchase the apartments from Granite City Investment Co., pending financing approval.
Cohen-Esrey executives have indicated that there would be extensive interior and exterior renovations of apartments, which for years had been the source of building code violations and criminal activity. Current owner Granite City Investment, based in the southwestern Illinois community of the same name, repaired hundreds of building code violations in 2014 under pressure from the city. City officials say police reports have also declined.
Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin said the renovation project, which is in his ward, appears to be on track. “Everything is moving along,” he said. “(Cohen-Esrey has) asked us for guidance on the permitting process, and we’ve been helping them with that.”
McMenamin said he also has had questions about affordability for current residents once the apartments are updated. He pointed out that state rules require apartments remain affordable for low- and middle-income residents to qualify for tax-exempt bonds. “They must adhere to an affordable rate structure to get financing from IHDA,” he said.
See more at: http://www.sj-r.com/
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Kansas firm looks to purchase, renovate MacArthur Park Apartments Sep. 2, 2015
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
A Kansas firm that specializes in housing for low- and middle-income residents has reached agreement to purchase the MacArthur Park Apartments in Springfield. Cohen-Esrey Affordable Partners plans to invest $20 million in renovations to the 184-unit complex at 2715 S. MacArthur Blvd., pending completion of the sale and approval of state and federal tax incentives for the project. Read the rest of this entry »
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Police calls down, occupancy up at MacArthur Park Apartments Apr. 28, 2015
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 Read the rest of this entry »
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Springfield City Council election preview: Two challengers in Ward 7 oppose McMenamin’s style Mar. 26, 2015
Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register
Continuing to foster development and infrastructure needs are the issues dominating discussion in a heated three-way race for Springfield Ward 7 alderman. Attorney Sarah Delano Pavlik, a Capital Township trustee, and Maldaner’s Restaurant owner Michael Higgins are trying to unseat incumbent Ald. Joe McMenamin in the April 7 election. Read the rest of this entry »
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Higgins again seeking to be Ward 7 alderman Aug. 28, 2014
Bernard Schoenburg
The State Journal-Register
Michael Higgins, runner-up for alderman in Ward 7 in 2011 and owner of Maldaner’s Restaurant downtown, said Thursday he will try again in the spring to get elected to the Springfield City Council. The seat was open in 2011 because former Ald. Debbie Cimarossa did not seek re-election that year, and Ald. Joe McMenamin won a three-way race.
Higgins said he knows that it’s difficult to take on an incumbent, but he said, in public and private roles, he has “brought new ideas to the community” and will challenge McMenamin Read the rest of this entry »
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Developer withdraws plan for Esquire Theatre site Aug. 12, 2014
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
The latest plan for redevelopment of the old Esquire Theatre property in Springfield stalled before it started. Springfield developer Chris Stone said Tuesday he has pulled plans for a retail strip center on the property at MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue after he was presented with a much more ambitious — and costly — proposal that added townhouse apartments, assisted-living facilities for seniors and a seven-story office tower.
Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin, whose ward includes the Esquire Read the rest of this entry »
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City Nuisance Law, Bel-Aire, MacArthur Park Apartments Jul 24, 2014
Jamie Munks
The State Journal-Register
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2,000 are waiting
One potential situation that could abruptly increase the demand for low-income housing in Springfield is if the residential Bel-Aire Motel on South Sixth Street were to close, as some city officials have proposed.
The city council next week will consider an ordinance that calls for the city “to initiate chronic nuisance proceedings against persons responsible for conditions at the Bel-Aire Motel.” The ordinance was proposed by Ward 6 Ald. Cory Jobe, who represents that section of Springfield, and is being co-sponsored by four of his colleagues on the council: Ward 1 Ald. Frank Edwards, Ward 3 Ald. Doris Turner, Ward 5 Ald. Sam Cahnman and Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin. One of the main issues with shutting down the Bel-Aire is that it would render an estimated 150 people who live there homeless.
Read the rest of this entry »
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MacArthur Park apartments move toward full occupancy Jun. 25, 2014
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
A little more than a year after the ownership of MacArthur Park Apartments in Springfield repaired hundreds of longstanding building-code violations, city officials say no significant violations remain and occupancy has rebounded. Fewer than 40 of 184 units have yet to be rented, according to city figures and apartment management. Read the rest of this entry »
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Hy-Vee sets May 13 opening date for MacArthur grocery store Apr. 28, 2014
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
Hy-Vee will open a supermarket and convenience store on MacArthur Boulevard in Springfield on May 13. The corporate announcement on Facebook Monday came more than 2 1/2 years after the project was announced and 11 years after Kmart left the spot at 2115 S. MacArthur Blvd. that is now home to Hy-Vee. Read the rest of this entry »
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MacArthur Park Apartments improved, but work remains Oct 27, 2013
Tim Landis
The State Journal-Register
Even longtime critics say MacArthur Park Apartments has turned a corner after years of neglect that left many of the units unliveable and the complex with a reputation as a hot spot for crime.
“It’s been quite a transition,” said Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin. The apartments in the 2100 block of South MacArthur Boulevard are in McMenamin’s ward. Read the rest of this entry »
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City reaches settlement to clean up MacArthur Park apartments Nov 28, 2012
Deana Stroisch
The State Journal-Register
The owner of the MacArthur Park Apartments has agreed to fix hundreds of building code violations by March 1, under a settlement signed Wednesday. The agreement also requires James Green of Granite Investment Co. to pay $57,465 in fines, in addition to building registration fees and permit charges.
“It enables us going forward to point out that people Read the rest of this entry »
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Mayor: Cleanup first, then maybe substation in apartment complex Aug 31, 2012
Deana Stroisch
The State Journal-Register
The city of Springfield won’t consider opening a police substation at the MacArthur Park Apartments until the complex is cleaned up, Mayor Mike Houston said Friday. During a Friday afternoon press conference, Houston said he doesn’t think a police substation will keep tenants and visitors from further damaging the apartments. Currently, there are more than 1,200 code violations at 26 of the complex’s buildings, he said.
“The owner of this apartment (complex) has given us no indication, given the past history of the operation of these apartments, that this is somebody that we should work with,” Houston said. “When they demonstrate that they have corrected their violations, then we will in fact work with them.”
The city has inspected 38 of the complex’s 48 buildings, the mayor said. Violations at 11 of the buildings have been corrected and the buildings have received certificates of occupancy from the city. Another building was demolished.
The mayor also took issue with a Friday morning radio report during which Houston said Craven claimed that crime at the complex has prohibited repairs. That claim, Houston said, “is simply false.”
“What I said was that much of the damage noted in the inspections last year was caused by criminal damage,” he said.
Eight neighborhood police officers are assigned to various areas of the city. None of them have offices within an apartment complex, according to the police chief.
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What a difference a year makes? Aug 23, 2012
Bruce Rushton
Illinois Times
A little more than a year after the start of a housing inspection blitz, nearly all of the MacArthur Park apartment complex in Springfield has been inspected. City officials acknowledge some progress at the 188-unit complex near Jerome known for blight and crime. But they’re not satisfied after inspecting 38 four-plexes since Aug. 5 of last year, with 10 buildings left to go.
The city has been conducting inspections in waves of five or six buildings every six weeks or so, and Sadowski said the city has been Read the rest of this entry »
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MacArthur Park Apartments hearing on violations delayed Mar 14, 2012
The State Journal-Register
An administrative court hearing on more than 200 alleged code violations at MacArthur Park Apartments was continued Wednesday for two weeks.
The city of Springfield plans to re-inspect the complex in the 2700 block of MacArthur Boulevard on Friday to see if some of the violations have been fixed.
Springfield attorney Don Craven, who represents MacArthur Park’s owner, Read the rest of this entry »
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City wants faster response at MacArthur Park, Bel-Aire Mar 9, 2012
Tim Landis
The State Journal Register
City officials are prepared to seek thousands of dollars in fines against owners of the MacArthur Park Apartments and the Bel-Aire Motel if they don’t move faster to fix hundreds of building-code violations, two Springfield aldermen said Thursday.
An administrative hearing on that possibility is scheduled for Wednesday in the case of the MacArthur Park Apartments, 2715 S. MacArthur Blvd. Fines could range from $50 to $500 per violation, said Ward 7. Ald. Joe MeMenamin Read the rest of this entry »
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SHA cuts off Section 8 vouchers to MacArthur Park Apartments Dec. 2011
Deana Stroisch
The State Journal-Register
Citing “serious and pervasive code violations,” the Springfield Housing Authority has stopped issuing new Section 8 vouchers for the MacArthur Park Apartments. Jackie Newman, executive director of the housing authority, notified the owner this week that the agency will prohibit additional Section 8 tenants “until the owner has brought the units into compliance and has demonstrated a history of compliance with city codes for an extended period of time.” Officials say the move should not affect current tenants at the 170-plus-unit complex at 2715 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin has asked for months that the agency pull the plug on its Section 8 vouchers. On Thursday, he called SHA’s decision a “significant step. It’ll have immediate and long-term consequences for the improvement of not only Macarthur Boulevard corridor, but for the city in general,” he said. “Landlords are on notice that SHA will not tolerate any history of local code violations.”
Don Craven, the owner’s attorney, said he couldn’t comment until he discussed the matter with the owner today.
Between August and November, city inspectors found hundreds of code violations and declared nearly four dozen MacArthur Park apartments to be uninhabitable. Eight of the four-unit buildings were required to be registered. In early December, the city issued a certificate of occupancy for a building that was first placarded in August, allowing new tenants to move in.
Newman said SHA representatives joined the city during recent inspections. She called the list of code violations “extensive.” In notifying the owner, James Green of Granite Investment Company, Newman pointed to the Code of Federal Regulations, which gives housing agencies the authority to deny rent assistance to “landlords who have a history of practice of renting units that fail to meet state or local housing codes.” Newman said she’s never had to take such action in her 6 1/2 years as SHA executive director. She said between 50 and 55 tenants at the complex receive the federal assistance.
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Federal Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
* Tenant’s obligations: Comply with the lease and the program requirements, pay his or her share of rent on time, maintain the unit in good condition and notify the housing authority of any changes in income or family composition.
* Landlord’s obligations: Provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing at a reasonable rent. The dwelling unit must pass housing quality standards and be maintained in that condition.
* Housing authority’s obligations: Administer the voucher program locally and contract with the landlord to provide housing assistance payments on behalf of a family. If the landlord fails to meet the owner’s obligations, the housing authority can terminate assistance payments. The housing authority re-examines each family’s income and composition at least annually and must inspect each unit at least annually.
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Read the full story at SJ-R.com…
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Progress slow on MacArthur apartments Dec 15, 2011
Bruce Rushton
The IL Times
A milestone was quietly reached Dec. 5 with a certificate of occupancy granted by the city of Springfield for one of seven four-plexes placarded last August in a housing inspection blitz at the MacArthur Park apartment complex.
It was the first instance of the city allowing tenants to live inside apartments shut down four months ago at the complex that sits between MacArthur Boulevard and the village of Jerome, not far from Wabash Avenue.
“They are making some progress,” says John Sadowski, Read the rest of this entry »
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Repairs under way at MacArthur Park apartments, lawyer says Aug 31, 2011
Deana Stroisch
The State Journal-Register
The owner of one of Springfield’s largest apartment complexes has complied with the city’s demands so far, registering seven of its buildings and applying for and receiving permits to fix dozens of alleged building code violations.
The city has scheduled a follow-up inspection of those seven buildings in the MacArthur Park Apartments, 2715 S. MacArthur Blvd., for mid-September, said John Sadowski, the city’s building department manager. Springfield attorney Don Craven, who was hired by the complex in late July to assist attorney Michael Durr, said he and Durr visited the property recently. Read the rest of this entry »
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MacArthur Park cited for multiple violations Aug 12, 2011
Deana Stroisch
The State Journal-Register
City inspectors last week found dozens of code violations inside vacant buildings at one of Springfield’s largest apartment complexes. The owner of MacArthur Park Apartments was sent 11 letters, totaling about 55 pages, that outlined electrical, mechanical, plumbing and housing violations found during the Aug. 5 inspection. The city has given the owner, Read the rest of this entry »
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MacArthur Update – Public Works update June 7, 2011
MacArthur Boulevard Business Association – Government Update
Carol Kneedler
Joe McMenamin, Alderman, Ward7
Joe mentioned that the owners of the previous Kmart building plan to come to Springfield in June. He said he conducted a ride around Ward 7 with the new Public Works Directory Mark Mahoney and is researching use of sweepers and water tank trucks to keep streets & sidewalks cleaner. He intends to keep constituents informed of upcoming ordinance votes and to let MBBA and other neighborhood groups comment on ordinances. Joe will officially open his constituent’s office in South Side Christian Church every Monday night from 7:30 to 9pm and every Saturday morning from 10:30 to noon. The starting date is to be determined. Constituents will be welcome to stop in and talk with Joe.
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City inspectors blitz MacArthur Park Apartments Aug 5, 2011
Deana Stroisch
The State Journal-Register
Search warrant in hand, a team of city inspectors Friday morning descended on the MacArthur Park Apartments, one of Springfield’s largest and most troubled housing complexes. The team, which also included members of the police, fire and legal departments, spent 3 1/2 hours inspecting seven four-unit buildings that were mostly vacant. Within the first hour alone, inspectors placarded at least six units as “unsafe and dangerous.” The magnitude of the violations was Read the rest of this entry »
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 