The Hy-Vee planning and zoning process continues with all positives so far.
Hy-Vee’s zoning case next goes to the City Council December 20, 2011 for approval.
On Oct 6, I brought Hy-Vee officials in to see Mayor Houston. The Mayor and his administration have been extraordinarily helpful.
MacArthur Boulevard Tax Increment Financing District – TIF
The City Council adopted the first of several resolutions and ordinances in September 2011 to establish the “Mac” TIF. On Nov 18, our City filed a Redevelopment Plan for the corridor with the City Clerk. This will now trigger a series of Notices and events culminating with a Public Hearing in early 2012. Hopefully the TIF will finalize by late February and Hy-Vee can then break ground. Hy-Vee can use future real estate tax revenue (TIF funds) derived from increased property values at the site and reimburse itself for some of its development costs. Follow the SJR and other news sources for more information.
MacArthur Boulevard Business Association – Government Update August 11, 2011
Joe McMenamin, Alderman, Ward 7
After the City was denied access to inspect the apartment complex on July 18, the City obtained a search warrant, performed a coordinated inspection that found a host of violations, including serious health hazards, in uninhabited buildings of the complex. Those buildings were declared uninhabitable, and City of Springfield Corporation Council will provide notice of violation to the owners of the property. Read the August 5 SJ-R article… If the problems are not corrected, then daily fines will be levied. Photos of the property are below.
Doors without knobs and damaged wallsUnits cannot be secured due to faulty doors
Open electrical box with bare wires, unsecured crawl spaceOpen walls in an unsecured unit
By JOHN REYNOLDS (john.reynolds@sj-r.com), THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted Jun 18, 2011
Getting rid of dilapidated signs is the aim of an ordinance being sought by Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin.
Old KMart sign on MacArthur Boulevard in Springfield, IL afterOld KMart sign on MacArthur Boulevard in Springfield, IL before
Currently, city code requires that a landowner remove advertising panels from a free-standing sign within 90 of the business’s closing. The frame that holds the panels can remain. “That leaves behind the skeletal frame and the pole the frame is on,” McMenamin said. “The frame is left up. What then happens is that years can pass. The frame is ugly, and it’s really an eyesore.”
Several options
McMenamin is looking at more than one option to solve the problem.
One proposal would require the framing be removed within three years of the business closing. The pole could remain. Another possibility would be to leave the panels on the frame, but cover the advertising within 90 days of the closing. That way, the skeletal framing would not be exposed.
‘Residue of past’
Removing old signs was one the issues that came up during McMenamin’s city council campaign this spring. One of the examples he noted was the sign at the old Kmart on MacArthur Boulevard. The skeleton of the frame stood in the parking lot for seven years after the store closed. He talked to the owners of the property, and with the help of the Ace Sign Co., the dilapidated framing was removed after the April election.
“A frame skeleton tends to look ugly. It has the appearance of neglect and decay. If neighborhoods have pride, they would rather have the frames come down. It’s like a residue of the past that is unpleasant to look at,” McMenamin said.
…
Maybe this summer
McMenamin said he is in the process of drafting the new ordinance. He is open to suggestions, which can be made by calling him at 787-2297.
If all goes as planned, the proposal could come before the city council for a first reading by the end of July, and a final vote could be taken in August.
Joe participated as one of 7 candidates at the MacArthur Boulevard Business Association Forum on March 21. Over 50 audience members had an opportunity to listen to candidate’s answers for over 2 hours and to submit questions to candidates.
Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 