The Journal Star covered the public meeting Monday night on the proposed East Village TIF. They report that most people were concerned about eminent domain being used the way it was in the MidTown Plaza TIF. Also, this:

Other concerns expressed by residents focused on what type of development OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, which is also included within the TIF district’s boundaries, might have.

Sue Wozniak, the hospital’s chief operating officer, said there are no specific projects planned. She said in the future, the hospital would be supportive of developing privately owned medical offices that would help generate taxes that would go toward paying public projects – such as sidewalks and road repairs – within the district.

With all due respect, I find this very difficult to believe. OSF is spearheading this effort to establish the East Village TIF. You’re telling me they have no specific plans to take advantage of this TIF once it’s established? Really? This is just a shot in the dark for OSF?

In July, Ron Jost, Vice President of Strategic and Facility Planning for OSF St. Francis Medical Center, was interviewed on WCBU’s “Outside the Horseshoe” program.

Finally, [Jost] explained that OSF is looking at further expansion. Specifically, they’ve acquired the White School and Irving School buildings from District 150, and they’re planning to build a 100,000-200,000 square foot building to house a simulation/conference center for training purposes. They’d like to expand south of Greenleaf Street. Jost also said they would be interested in seeing if there are “other parties” who would be willing to develop and provide housing that could replace OSF’s current dormitory.

Those sound like specific plans to me. They know the location they want to expand, they know what they want built, and they’re looking for an interested developer. Why doesn’t Wozniak just level with the neighbors like Jost did?