From today’s Journal Star:
Museum backers hope the federal economic stimulus plan includes $4 million to construct an underground parking garage for the Downtown project.
Of course they do. Especially with Mr. LaHood as Secretary of Transportation, they probably feel pretty confident they’ll get that money, too. Nevermind the fact that we don’t need any additional parking for this project. Nevermind the fact that they haven’t raised their goal in private or public funding, indicating that there is not sufficient local support for this project. The latest spin on the project is to call it a “stimulus project,” designed to stimulate the local economy:
[Brad] McMillan said an agreement with museum representatives and Caterpillar – which wants to construct a $41 million visitors center next to the Downtown museum – said “100 percent” of jobs generated from the construction of the facility would come from “local construction” and trades.
“This could mean a lot of work during a tough economic time span,” McMillan said.
In order for the project to go forward, of course, Peoria residents would have to approve a .25% increase in the local sales tax. So, you see, a higher sales tax will be a good thing for the economy, because it will create 250 construction jobs. Let’s see, $24,000,000 in higher sales taxes, plus $4,000,000 in federal stimulus money, that’s $28 million for 250 jobs, or $112,000 per job.
So now, not only is this project an exercise in inefficient land use, it can also be poster child for inefficient use of public funds.
While they’re at it, the Peoria Park District could ask for $12 million+ to construct a recreational trail alongside the Kellar Branch.
They’d probably get it too.
Diane,
Any comment…, or do YOU approve of such tactics?
Still waiting to hear from Diane [or anyone] why Museum Group just can’t seem to raise the needed funds on its own…..merit.
Downtown Peoria will never be anything until the attitudes of business owner’s etc change. They have hitched their trailer to CAT too much and that’s all that matters to them.
I work downtown, not for CAT. I walk 3 blocks to get to and from work. Most business along my walk do not clean their sidewalks of snow and ice. I have been slipping and sliding to work for a week now.
Today, Friday, I am working and it is almost a ghost town down here. I went out for lunch and none of the fast food places are open today, I suppose because CAT is closed, the decided to close too.
There is no shopping downtown. You are hard pressed to buy a bag of chips or a pack of cigarettes or anything downtown.
People are not going to come downtown just for a museum, there needs to be more things to do down here. The city should be working on enticing some retailers down here before they worry about a big fancy museum and hotel. If people come to the hotel, what else are they going to do in the area?
“Still waiting to hear from Diane [or anyone] why Museum Group just can’t seem to raise the needed funds on its own…..merit.”
I think Peorians are getting tired of hearing how a lot of these projects (Civic Center with its 20+ year “temporary” HRA tax) Riverplex, Gateway Building, etc. are being built with taxpayer money and are the promised “saving grace” to the Peoria economy when they are in the red and are STILL being supported by tax money instead of standing financially on their own two feet. You can only be forced fed peas so long before you are tired of peas. Between that, the huge price tag and worsening economic crunch people aren’t willing opening up their wallets.
The new library project wants in my billfold, the museum wants in my billfold, the new downtown hotel wants in my billfold, the upcoming sewer project will want in my billfold. The Civic Center still is in my billfold. When does it end?
Did everyone miss the 1/2 % tax may be on the referendum? This from a county board member running for the city council.
See my blog site of today.
September of 2005, an article in the JS said $800,000 was included in the Transportation Bill for “Peoria Parking Structure on Sears block”.
Where did that money go?
I’m curious as to where we would be right now if we had funded the museum project three years ago. Let’s say it was already built and up and running. Who is going to come to visit it in this economy? Where would that estimated $14 Million be coming from? Where would the money to maintain it be coming from in this economy?Anybody got answers?
I am still reading all of the wonderful comments directed towards Jim Maloof and his ‘bitter’ rant against Manning. By the way…does anyone know what happened to ‘Circle the Mayor,’ or ‘Mayor the Circle,’ or what ever they called them?
I guess their combined political clout must have raised millions and it was time to move on….!
Oh… CJ you missed the obvious headline.
“The Museum groups wants a BAILOUT.”
Mayday! Mayday!
NV: Would the Mayor’s Circle be the same as the CEO Roundtable?
Merle: In the same article at PJStar with Riggenbach talking about the taxpayer’s lack of interest in an 1/2 % percent tax, the overall tax was listed as a possible 1/4 to 1%? Where did that come from — up to 1%?
And by the way, how much is D150 getting from the PBC to build schools? I recall it was upwards of $80M. Correct?
At some point, the zeros need to matter more than mere words bandied about in the millions and trillions. There are families I know that cannot afford food, home, utilities, clothing let alone a tax. People will need to get out the vote to defeat this increasing offensive tax. Any tea ships coming into port in the near future?
CJ – Interesting read in the 12/26 WSJ editorial page. “Obama’s Secretary of Earmarks”. They say that our Congressman “may be exactly the man for the moment”. Let’s hope he can help shepard productive public works projects to stabilize a faltering economy.
Karrie — I believe New Voice is referring to the defunct Circle the Square campaign.
Chief Kevin,
You left out the zoo still trying to raise the hyped $32 million for the African Experience. The project grand opening has recently been delayed by about a year.
Can’t be the economy. Hmmmmm.
Bids were due September 4 on the Stadium upgrades. No upgrades are in progress.
Question: Why would you ask for bids due on September 4, if you weren’t going to award contracts in 2008? If they did award a bid, it escaped the local press. Or maybe I didn’t see or hear about a bid award of well over a million dollars.
And everything is pretty quiet on the $60-120 million; $120 million upwards if you figure the interest on the bonds for thirty years, for District #150 spending for new schools and renovations.
To keep Peoria on the list of most affordable cities to live, we better be bringing in more product producing jobs.
I’m told we have been given a year’s grace by the IEPA on the first $100 million expenditure for sewer upgrades.
“I’m told we have been given a year’s grace by the IEPA on the first $100 million expenditure for sewer upgrades.”
Very interesting bit of info, Merle. Maybe the question on the ballot should be “Would you support a sales tax increase to help fund sewer upgrades?”. That would be one I’d vote yes for.
But why bother with silly things like sewer upgrades? We need a museum!!!!
NV: Your answer is that with tax support in the offing, no rational person will pledge their own money.
C.J.,
I was indeed referring to the defunct Circle the Square campaign.
Nontimendum,
Yep.
I don’t know why they don’t ask the Feds for all the money for the museum. They’re running the printing presses full tilt; the country is already bankrupt, what’s a few million more?
Mouse: Are you reading your new book received for Christmas, “The Creature From Jekyll Island”?