From a press release:
Peoria, IL – (January 15, 2009) The Heartland Partnership and the Tri County Regional Planning Commission have been gathering a list of regional infrastructure projects that could benefit from President-elect Obama’s proposed infrastructure stimulus recovery project. The goal is to have a list of potential projects ready when the new administration gives the go ahead for the stimulus package.
The Heartland Partnership President and CE Jim McConoughey said this group has been working to gather this list since early December. “This is an evolving project. As we compile our list, Washington DC is compiling the criteria. This list enables us to have the necessary information at our fingertips when it’s needed.”
The group released details on that list today at the Heartland Partnership Office. Over two hundred projects were submitted from 41 municipalities in eight counties including Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Mason, Logan, Fulton, Marshall and Stark. The list includes development, road, water, sewer, schools, and community projects.
McConoughey said the anticipated federal stimulus package is approximately $800 billion and as the President and Congress unfold the various components of the plan, it will be important for our communities to decide what we consider success. This stimulus package is about creating jobs in our communities and across the nation, McConoughey said. “So if any project on this list receives funding it will mean jobs in our community. And when people have jobs, they shop in local stores, they buy or rent homes, and they pay taxes and contribute to the overall welfare of the community in a variety of ways. So any project on this list that receives funding is a success for the larger community.”
The next step is to get this list to our lawmakers. McConoughey will be traveling to Washington DC and Springfield to deliver the list to the Illinois delegation in the coming weeks. He went on to say that the work is not over, “We will continue to monitor the rules and keep an eye on any changes that may affect projects in our region. If invited to submit more detailed information on this list, we will do so. And if local project leaders need assistance we will help them find it.”
Here’s the list in PDF format.
Some of these projects are real head-scratchers — for instance, the “Riverfront Village Stairway Replacement” project. Did some catastrophe happen to the stairs that I missed? Or were they just poorly constructed in the first place? I’m trying to figure out why they need to be replaced already when that development is only (roughly) 10 years old.
And then there’s this one: “Peoria Academy School 27,000 sq ft addition.” I thought these were supposed to be public projects. Peoria Academy is “an independent, private, non-profit school,” according to their own website. Are we now handing out public money to private schools? St. Mark’s is ready to build a new school — I’ll bet they would welcome some of that stimulus money, too.
One more thing: “Riverfront Museum Parking deck construction.” This isn’t significant in and of itself. What’s more significant is the “start date” listed: February 1, 2009. That’s almost three months before the sales tax referendum. They wouldn’t start construction before they knew if they had enough funds to finish the project, would they? That would be most unwise.
CJ- go down to RiverFront Village and look at the stairs. They are totally rusted out. You can see through the metal.
The city had them built wrong or something as they should have lasted a lot longer than they have but they do need replaced.
And while they are at it they should reconsider where at least one of them is located so when the river comes over the wall they don’t have to close the platform. Put a set on the back side.
Interesting point. If the referendum were to pass, there are documents needed between the City and County and the Museum and Caterpillar, then the first tax collection date would 1 Jan 2010, when would construction start?
How about tearing down the riverfront village boondoggle? Jobs in the demolition industry. This wish list, excepting the sewer and water projects, much of which is probably needed, should be thrown in the trash. It’s nothing but a waste list.
Mouse wrote: It’s nothing but a waste list
Especially the $600,000 for the Kellar Branch Trail.
I thought that Jim McConoughey was a conservative. Considering some of his wish list projects like tax dollars for private schools I do not consider Jim to be a true conservative; he is just another middle of the road mushy thinker.
I’d suggest you contact officials with the Museum Group and ask them what that February 1st start date means, I’m gonna guess it probably means they’re going to start “planning” on that date. They’ve already explained that due to other federal funds that former Congressman LaHood had obtained for the project that the construction of the parking deck will have to be administered and bid by the Illinois Dept of Transportation. I’m sure we would have heard if IDOT had already put the project out for bids and were targeting moving dirt within a month. Confusing dates like this really increases the skepticsm of the general public, but then we must not forget, we are living in the State of Illinois, with our new state motto being: “Where our Governors make our Liscense Plates”
Ileriet — The stimulus funds are for “shovel-ready” projects. Take a look at this Journal Star article:
So, if your theory is correct — why is it on the list?
“middle of the road mushy thinker”?? Once upon a time taking tax dollars for private projects would simply be considered theft. My have times changed. Are bank robbers really doing anything wrong, or just reclaiming some of the money that the banks took from the taxpayers, and, shall we, say, engaging in a self-help stimulus program?
We are entering into a terrible era in this country. Beware the enemy within, for he is here, now!
Mouse: My friend made a similar comment today. The FR prints more money to ‘pay’ bills and purchase goods and services. That would be counterfeiting if either of us engaged in that behavior. Not for the government, printing money out of thin air that makes the very idea of money worthless. It is surreal.
Mouse, I was going to use for forceful language but I had been warned in a roundabout way that I was almost banned last year over the Kellar Branch discussion.
Zimbabwe unveiled a 100 trillion dollar note Friday in the latest grim measure of its staggering economic collapse, heightening the urgency of a new round of unity talks set for next week.
The Reserve Bank announced in the government mouthpiece Herald newspaper a series of trillion-dollar denominations to keep pace with hyperinflation that has left the once-dynamic economy in tatters.
The new 100,000,000,000,000 Zim-dollar bill … hum — makes one think about our own dollar and the paper of the world with greenbacks.
Karrie, what’s the conversion rate? I might havbe to get me a few of those, I’ve always wanted to be a trillionaire.
You can become a billionaire in Zimbabwe for a mere $57.56 (USD).
11Barvo: And being a billionaire would probably allow you to purchase a tomato? No thanks.
CJ, I suspect only Jim McConoughey, president of the Heartland Partnership, or the Museum folks would have an answer to your question, however it appears the trough is starting to open and the little piggies are squirming to wrangle their way into position.
Most of the comments in these post seem to be neglecting one major point. The $825 billion that The Heartland Partnership is positioning for is GOING TO BE SPENT REGARDLESS. So why in the world should they not be trying to receive some of those funds? Some of the personal attacks here on Jim are way off base, especially considering few of you have probably ever met him or talked to him.
Since everyone is so eager to criticize, how would you proceed in this situation Ed and Ileriet? I am very interested as to what you perceive to be the best course of action for our area in light of the economic stimulus plans.