Saturday’s Journal Star features another article on the Kellar Branch titled, “Costs rise as trail remains in limbo.” No mention of how much Carver Lumber’s costs have risen as the rail remains in limbo. Carver Lumber employs 50 people, so one would think their profitability would be of some concern. Nope, instead the story leads off with Bonnie Noble:
Delays in building a hiking and biking trail on the Kellar Branch railroad line through Peoria and Peoria Heights will cost taxpayers more than anticipated, as construction costs increase, Peoria Park District executive director Bonnie Noble said Friday.
On the contrary, I would argue that these delays have saved the taxpayers at least $4 million — the money that hasn’t been spent to tear up a $565,000 rail asset. If costs are going up, that’s all the more reason to start cooperating on a shared rail/trail use for that corridor and taking advantage of Pioneer Railcorp’s generous offer to buy or lease the line and help with trail construction alongside the tracks.
[Mike] Rucker [of Recreational Trail Advocates] said the trail advocates have tried to appeal to reason to work out the difficulties causing the delays. “We want to be nice. Let’s not go out and pick a fight,” he said. “I’m telling them to keep their powder dry,” for now.
Trails add to property values and people like them, he said.
“It’s frustrating to see an asset of this sort being wasted,” Rucker said. But he added, “I think it’s time for the city of Peoria to start playing hardball,” to resolve the delays.
I like how the Recreational Trail Advocates (RTA) see a $565,000 rail line that serves a 50-employee company (and could be used to bring more business and industry jobs into Peoria) as “wasted” since it’s not being torn up and converted to a dedicated trail. I also like how they supposedly “appeal to reason” yet disregard out of hand any attempt to construct a shared rail/trail use of the corridor, which would be the most obvious solution.
But the most laughable line of all is, “I think it’s time for the city of Peoria to start playing hardball.” I’m not sure what more the city can do at this point short of sending a letter to Carver asking them to leave town. The city has already created a hostile business environment for Carver and broken its promises to them. I guess that’s just not “hardball” enough for the RTA, who apparently care more about their own physical fitness than the good-paying jobs of their neighbors.
Advocates for the trail have scheduled a meeting with local officials for an update at 7 p.m. Monday in a meeting room at Independence Village, 1201 W. Northmoor Road. The meeting is open to the public, said Mike Rucker of Recreational Trail Advocates.
Hmmm, I wonder if some rail advocates should show up to this meeting… and maybe some Carver employees, so the RTA can see who they’re trying to put out of a job.
Either you or David Jordan should go, C. J. … or both.
“In an e-mail to city manager Randy Oliver, the city’s contractor on the rail spur denied that the service is poor. Central Illinois Railroad
Company’s president John A. Darling stated problems on the line from the closing of Allen Road for roadwork were temporary.â€
Did anyone note the lie here? Carver Lumber began complaining about poor service long before Allen Road construction began.
Yes, the usual tactics — the Obe Won Kenobi wave of the hand —“These aren’t the droids you’re looking for…”
CJ: You are correct — the taxpayers HAVE BEEN saved at $4 million!
Upon review of documents via FOIA requests, it is interesting to note that Bonnie Noble promotes large ticket expenditures for taxpayers to foot the bill for unnecessary projects, Riverplex, Zoo Expansion and perhaps others — no known cost to date if the school was to be built in the park — and then the $4 million of the ‘must have’ trail.
Since the taxpayers are now committed to paying the $2.2 million principal repayment for the second supplemental PZS loan for the zoo and the 3.5 % for up to 10 years on the $12.2 million first and second loans — how would we be able to afford the $4 million of the trail?
More grants from other taxpayers at the State and Federal levels?
No matter which money pot — still taxpayer dollar$ and as my son tells me “It’s just wrong!”
So, now, they claim the trail will “enhance property values” for those along the trail. I’ll bet the people along the trail will be happy to see their property taxes go up since this trail is such a grand thing and will raise their property values.
If I recall, it wasn’t too long ago that propert owners alongside the Rock Island Trail tried to fight the trails construction arguing that property values would go down because of the loss of privacy, etc.
Well look at it this way. If the trail goes in and the property values increase then there is that much more tax money for the park district to attach themselves to for more of their projects. How many “little” increases have we had in the past ten years that have benefitted the park district? Anybody have an idea? I hope to see a “lot” of people at Monday night’s meeting and bring your camcorders.
The Park District is the biggest black hole for money this town has ever seen.