Tonight, I addressed the Peoria City Council regarding the Kellar Branch issue. It was my first time addressing the council on any topic, and while I didn’t mentally feel nervous, physically I got cotton mouth and ended up speaking too fast. I guess that just goes to show I don’t have a future in public speaking. You can read my prepared remarks below by clicking the “Show More” link. I stuck pretty close to them, but I did ad lib a couple of times.
I got to meet Alexis Khazzam. We had a nice talk about the Kellar Branch issue. He’s often described to me as “energetic,” and after having met him in person, that’s a very accurate description. The first thing he asked me was if I was being paid by Pioneer Rail in any way, shape, or form. He could hardly believe me when I said I wasn’t. He was very nice and, even though we disagree on the Kellar Branch thing, he didn’t hold it against me personally.
In contrast, I also got to meet David Maloof who said exactly nothing to me. Barbara Van Auken introduced me to him and he somewhat reluctantly shook my hand. I’m not sure what to think of that. Maybe he’s just shy.
Former Mayor Dick Carver was actually a lot fairer than I thought he would be in discussing the issue. That was a pleasant surprise. I still think he’s overly optimistic about service via the western spur. He stressed the importance of having a carrier who has a good working relationship with the Union Pacific railroad in order for service from the west to work. That’s a perfect example of why service via the Kellar Branch is superior — competitive rail service is not dependent upon the benevolence of Union Pacific.
There were surprisingly few people who spoke. My guess is that there will be a lot of people speaking next week. I decided to speak tonight because I felt, while it’s unlikely my speech will change anyone’s mind, it would be more likely to change their minds this week when they’re not under pressure to vote right away.
Here are the remarks I prepared for tonight’s meeting:
Mr. Mayor, Council Members, thank you for this opportunity to speak to you.
As I understand the Surface Transportation Board’s recent rulings and city staff’s communication, the germane issue before the council tonight is not whether a trail should be constructed, but rather which rail carrier should serve businesses on the Kellar Branch.
Specifically, should Pioneer Industrial Railway be allowed to continue as carrier, or should they be removed in favor of Central Illinois Railroad Company?
It is to this question I would like to speak to you this evening.
The first question we need to ask is, on what basis should we make this decision? What’s the criteria for judging between Pioneer and Central Illinois Railroad?
I would submit that the primary criteria for awarding this contract should be safety, service, and trustworthiness. Only after a carrier has passed the scrutiny of those items should any consideration be given to secondary issues such as future trail use.
So let’s take a fresh look at the facts and see which rail carrier measures up to these criteria—I believe some of you will be surprised at the conclusion.
First, safety. Pioneer Industrial Railway started serving the Kellar Branch in early 1998 when it took over the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway’s contract with the City, and operated the line until mid-August 2005.
During that time, there were no accidents or safety issues.
In fact, Pioneer took the initiative to make sure the line was safe to operate by putting roughly $2 million of their own money into improvements: they installed new crossties, poured new ballast, fixed a bridge, constructed a runaround track to facilitate efficient operation, and replaced a damaged turnout.
I want to reiterate that they used their own money for these improvements—they didn’t ask for or receive any money from the city for this, nor was it required in their contract.
The result was safe and efficient operation of the line for almost seven years.
When Central Illinois Railroad Company took over in late August 2005, the first shipment they tried to take to Carver Lumber over the Kellar Branch never got there.
Instead of an engine, they used a TrackMobile, a vehicle designed for railcar switching, not hauling.
They hooked it up to three railcars loaded with heavy lumber and tried to haul it up the steep Kellar Branch grade around 7:30 p.m. on August 27, 2005.
The vehicle lost traction going up the grade and started rolling backwards, pulling the TrackMobile with it and picking up speed.
One worker was injured as he jumped from the TrackMobile and later sued the railroad company.
The three loaded rail cars sped down the tracks out of control at about 30 miles per hour, according to an eyewitness, crossing several streets at grade, including Adams and Jefferson, before finally derailing.
Ladies and gentlemen, if anyone had been crossing the tracks when that train came careening down the branch, someone could have gotten killed.
It was a serious threat to public safety.
Yet this is the company that city staff and some city council members want to run the Kellar Branch.
Second, let’s look at service. During the seven years Pioneer operated the Kellar Branch, the only business I can find any record of complaint from is O’Brien Steel.
O’Brien’s concern wasn’t over timeliness or shipping rates, but rather demurrage charges.
Carver Lumber has always been happy with Pioneer’s rail service.
Since Central Illinois Railroad took over in 2005, O’Brien Steel has been happy with the service they’ve received, which is to be expected, since they continue to receive all the benefits of the Kellar Branch’s neutral connection to eight line-haul carriers.
Meanwhile, Carver Lumber has continually pleaded for the same level of service via the Kellar Branch to no avail.
They received no service at all before the western spur was completed, then inadequate service once it was completed.
Central Illinois Railroad Company has steadfastly refused to use the Kellar Branch to serve Carver Lumber, even though it would give them faster service at lower rates.
Carver Lumber has consistently petitioned the Surface Transportation Board for relief from the higher tariffs and poor timeliness of the service they’ve been receiving from Central Illinois Railroad.
Yet this is the company that city staff and some city council members want to run the Kellar Branch.
Finally, let’s talk about dependability. As I mentioned previously, Pioneer Railcorp fulfilled the contract they took over from Peoria & Pekin Union Railway.
In addition, they poured roughly $2 million of their own money into the rail line.
There were a couple of disputes some like to claim were just attempts at obstruction, so I’d like to just briefly touch on them:
First, there’s a dispute over whether Pioneer’s contract with the city expired. This is still being litigated. However, once the Surface Transportation Board ruled that Pioneer should vacate the line, they did so.
Second, while Pioneer was still on the line, the city hired another company, Metroplex, to build the western spur and connect it with the Kellar Branch. For a while, that effort was delayed because Metroplex did not have the appropriate liability insurance. Had there been any injuries on the Kellar Branch, Pioneer would have been liable; thus, Pioneer blocked access to the track with a rail car until the insurance waiver was signed. Once the insurance issue was satisfied, Pioneer moved their rail car and construction continued.
I think it’s clear that Pioneer always acted lawfully and consistently with their contractual obligations.
Central Illinois Railroad, however, never fulfilled their contract to provide service over the Kellar Branch, despite verbal and written assurances to the contrary from their owner and the City of Peoria.
I have a copy here of the Kellar Branch Interim Trackage Rights contract, a letter from then owner Don Gibson, and a letter from Peoria Public Works Director Steve Van Winkle.
All of these documents were written to assure Carver Lumber that they would continue to receive shipments via the Kellar Branch until the western connection was completed and fully operational.
Central Illinois Railroad Company never fulfilled this contract, and every promise made in these two letters was broken.
Yet this is the company that city staff and some city council members want to run the Kellar Branch.
On the primary criteria, it is clear that Pioneer is the more competent, safe, and trustworthy carrier for the line.
So why do some people want to choose Central Illinois Railroad instead?
So why do city staff and some council members want Central Illinois Railroad to run this branch?
Because, as the communication states, “an operating agreement with CIRY would appear to be the best opportunity for the City to be in a position to use the portion of the Kellar Branch between Springdale Cemetery and Pioneer Park for a recreational trail.â€
Ladies and gentlemen, that is not a responsible criterion for choosing a rail carrier—especially not when the rail carrier that meets that criterion has proven itself to be unsafe and untrustworthy.
Nevertheless, despite the inadequacy of this criterion, I think Pioneer even bests Central Illinois Railroad in this category as well.
It’s often said that the reason there is no trail is because of Pioneer. But that’s not true.
The reason there is no trail is precisely because of Central Illinois Railroad Company.
Consider this:
1. The STB had consistently ruled against Pioneer, and Carver Lumber had consistently cooperated with the city, up until the point that Central Illinois Railroad stopped serving Carver via the Kellar Branch. The STB agreed to remove Pioneer from the line in August of 2005 and agreed to discontinue service on the Kellar Branch in December of 2005. However, because Carver received no service over the Kellar Branch because of Central Illinois Railroad’s breach of contract, they complained to the STB in January 2006 and the reversal began.
2. Then, most recently, Central Illinois Railroad Company withdrew its petition to the STB to discontinue service on the Kellar Branch altogether. That action has undone over a year’s worth of legal work by the city and has put them back at square one. And why did they do it? So they could serve new customers on the Kellar Branch, just like Pioneer had wanted to do.You see, Central Illinois Railroad Company accomplished by their inattention to Carver Lumber and their petition withdrawal, what trail proponents feared Pioneer was trying to do. They stopped progress on the trail conversion, not Pioneer.
Now Central Illinois Railroad has made a verbal commitment to “make the western connection viable†and spend $150,000 to upgrade some tracks along the souther section of the branch.
Why should we believe them *this* time?
Pioneer has had an offer on the table since September 2004—in writing—saying they would purchase the Kellar Branch for $565,000 or accept a long-term lease, which means it could be a new revenue stream for the city.
In that same written offer, they have promised to work with the Park District to build a trail next to the rail line and to put some of their own money and equipment toward that effort.
They’ve further offered to upgrade the tracks at their own expense, proactively work to attract new businesses to the line, help with commuter and tourist trolley service, and a whole list of other items that would make this line a money-maker for the city.
Pioneer has always fulfilled its promises in the past, and has put its own money into the line in the past.
If you ask me, I think your best bet for getting the trail built is to choose Pioneer.
And there’s one other thing I’d like to say. The council often claims that it wants Peoria to be business-friendly. Yet the harm this council has done to Carver Lumber and Pioneer Railcorp—two *local* companies—belies those claims. The council should consider that before taking action that could drive those businesses away.
I urge the council to make the — perhaps unpopular — but responsible choice, to at least *hire* Pioneer as the carrier on the line if not sell the line to them. It’s in the best long-term interests of Peoria residents, businesses, and yes, even trail proponents.
Thank you.
C.J. for your first time I think you did a good job! I attested your faster speaking with wanting to keep time short. I, too along with others, was surprised that Mr. Carver was as fair as he was. But the “I met with UP (Union Pacific) officials and I met with someone from the STB” somewhat got to me. So you met with an official with the UP that does not mean they will not change their stance tomorrow. It goes back to the one railroad vs. eight railroads sentiment.
As for some of the other speakers Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Maloof were kind of off the point. Mr. O’Brien stating that “My company has recently purchased land for $xxx,xxx.xx” was irrelevant to how much Pioneer has offered. The type of land and land use is different, industrial compared to ROW. They have different values on the market. The fact that the city paid $1.3 million or whatever for it just shows that they over paid for that land. Mr. Maloof and Mr. O’Brien’s statements of “I don’t have many customers that want rail service”, what, have you seen the growth that rail companies have had recently. The amount of shipments that move on rail are growing yearly. Davenport is in the process of adding/building trackage near the Davenport Airport, I think it is the Eastern Iowa Industrial Park, because business have looked there but then decide to go elsewhere because there is no rail! Mr. Maloof, if your customers’ don’t want rail, then you need to expand your customer base and your own personal thinking base.
I think Mr. Carr was about to blow a gasket at the end there. I was glad they let him speak and detest the misinformation that keeps being circulated.
As for the “relationship” with the UP, let me see. 100-200 cars vs. 1 million pounds of coal, I would say Pioneer has a good relationship with them, too.
Mr. Khazzam stated that he is “new blood” in this issue and that “that might be needed to see through it” or something like that. Well, I am “new blood†in Peoria (I have only been here 3.5 years while in school) and I see it plain as day, just the opposite of what he thinks. I do kind of wonder why his plans for Junction City are on hold for this issue, but that can be addressed another time.
Personally the win-win (duel use ROW) option is the best, after selling it to Pioneer, but if the line is not converted to a trail I will not loose any sleep over it.
Bill Pearsall
Chris, I think you were the best speaker of them all. If you hurried through your remarks, it’s just as well, because it was a great remedy for J. P. O’Brien’s ignorant and confused presentation. You and Mike Carr made O’Brien look foolish after his strange comments about “nobody needing rail service anymore” (O’Brien recieves a little over 100 carloads a year).
BTW, I coudn’t make because I was sick with flu symptoms and also I couldn’t get out of my drive and street!Otherwise, I would have been there.
Bill,
A point on the $1,300,000 purchase price that you feel may have been too high. That total proce included all of the Rock Island Rail assets in Peoria and included lots of land and rail facilities along the Peoria Riverfront. Much of that land is now Riverfront Park and for that matter the Rex-Plex. $1,300,000 is a lot of money but it included much more than the linear line name the Kellar Branch.
CJ I thought your presentation was excellent. You knew your subject and you had no hesitation. You outshined O’Brien and the rest of those that did not have their facts correct nor did they know how to make a presentation. I’ll take you anytime on the podium. Gary is right the purchase price included a lot more than just the linear line of tracks. This is one fact that O’Brien didn’t know. Also if the railroads are so under used why are they bursting at the seams and why is their stock up so high on the Market. O’Brien doesn’t have a clue. I’d like to see him manage his business without them. Go ahead and “truck’ the steel in. He certainly isn’t a corporate friendly neighbor to this city.
Thank you all for your kind comments. I wanted to respond to something Bill said: “I do kind of wonder why his plans for Junction City are on hold for this issue, but that can be addressed another time.”
When I talked to Khazzam after the meeting, he told me that his plans right now call for putting apartments along the Kellar Branch. However, if it’s going to remain a rail line, he would put something else there, because he doesn’t believe people would want to live in an apartment right next to trains going by.
I understand where he’s coming from, but considering how few trains would be coming by, even if Pioneer Park were really hopping, I guess I don’t think it would deter anyone from living there. But then, he has way more money than I, so clearly he knows what sells better than I do. 🙂
It was interesting, though, that he told me he didn’t really care what finally goes in there, he just wants a decision to be made so he can know how to proceed. What he doesn’t want is the status quo: no use at all and a track that’s overgrown with weeds and brush. He’s got a good point there.
If Alexis doesn’t want the status quo then he should support Pioneer’s offer as otherwise, the line will continue to be that way for years with CIRY trying to make the failed western connection work. The plan is so open-ended. I can’t tell if CIRY actually plans to serve customers on the Kellar Branch with a single train or separately. Public information on this is not real clear.
CJ,
It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday. I also thought you spoke very well and your points were well thought of and documented. I do not and cannot support any co. that will hamper the possibility of a trail coming in, as I believe it is the best solution for Peoria (but that is just 1 view). Mike Carr, who is a gentleman and a nice new face to Pioneer, spoke well too, and having met him, I honestly believe that his statements held truth. Whether or not those thoughts can be delivered is a totally different subject. Regardless of whether you have any affiliations with Pioneer or not (many say you do, but I will take your word), I think this issue needs closure. Either which way it goes, I think its important for the city to tuck this one night night and move onto the next issue (we have many). My final say is that I truly believe we have a great council that is promoting economic dev in our area. They were elected becuase of popular vote, an are here to represent the people in their respective areas. So I have to believe that they will make the right decision. And once it is made, everyone will adapt and take due course. This issue has been so slouded by politics, that the simplicity of teh dilemma has been lost. Do we want increased freight business or do we want nore redidential/ fitness development. Both hold a strong argument and in reality, both will bring tons of new business to Peoria. So, if both opportunities are equal, and tehy are, what would yourather have?? Trains running through the heart of our city, or a nice place for people to excercise and stay healthy and fit? For me, its an easy and simple choice. Support teh co that will give us teh opportunity to have a trail
Alexis’ plans are on hold because he plans to completely redesign the entrance to Junction City and is putting in a stoplight right where the tracks are to allow people to get into Junction City from the opposite side of Knoxville Ave. This will mean a stoplight at Prospect, one at the tracks and another a block further at Proctor Hospital. More traffic blocking news. I don’t see how IDOT is going to allow another traffic signal there if there are still tracks in use or even if it becomes a trail. Is traffic going to stop every time a hiker/biker comes along. Even if its on a timer, that’s just one more traffic signal to negotiate on your way to work or home. Its all very confusing but he says that he has got it passed by the zoning board and that IDOT has it on the map for changes. City Council members I spoke to didn’t know anything about it and its in the city limits.
Sharon,
I never said such a thing. In an case, It was a pleasure to have lunch with you the other day and listen to your points of view. I like anyone that has such advocacy towards an issue, and I know you have fought a very hard battle to opt for a rail trail possibility. If I agreed with you, you would be the 1st person I would want fighting for this issue. Unfortunately, on this issue I do not, and I think the proposition is completely unachievable. Having said this, I will not be roped into an argument about it blogging. Would be happy to meet with you anytime to talk again. All the best
Gary, I do remember that being said last night now that you mention it. If the cost included the land, depot, tracks, and other buildings it does make sense why the city would have paid that much. I just think that Mr. O’Brien his costs of real estate and ROW transactions right.
I now too understand why Mr. Kahazzam’s plans are on hold, kind of. There are other places that high end apartments have been built next to regularly used railroad tracks. I look at Moline, IL as example, down along the river front, and they are all full. I also want to know how Pioneer has hampered a trail, they have offered, if allowed to buy the line, to help build the trail!
Alexis,
Let’s not pit the two issue against each other when we can have both. Losing the Kellar Branch will permanently destroy any chance of competitive rail service at Pioneer Park and Growth Cell even if the proper infrastructure is put in place. CIRY’s plan is so open-ended, relying on the success of business development in Growth Cell Two and the Union Pacific connection. That could take years to succeed, if ever. Pioneer’s plan would allow construction to begin shortly, assuming the Park District has full funding, as I suspect they do not.
Alexis, thank you for the kind words. It’s interesting how rumors get started, isn’t it? No, my opinion on this issue hasn’t been bought. I’ve come to my conclusions honestly and after thoughtful independent research. I’ve never received any money from Pioneer, and that’s a fact. But thanks for asking me! Apparently others are content to believe rumor as fact.
I respect your opinion on the Kellar Branch issue even though we don’t see eye to eye. I don’t believe that both opportunities are equal. I think the opportunities for new business, jobs, and growth are much greater with competitive, reliable rail service to Pioneer Park and Growth Cell Two than with a linear park. I think a linear park would provide some positive benefits, but nothing in comparison to what rail service could provide. Residential and commercial development are not equal.
As I said at the meeting, I really believe the city will be more likely to get a trail by going with Pioneer than by going with Central Illinois Railroad. No, Pioneer will never allow a trail to replace a portion of the rail line, but they will work to assist building a trail next to the rail line. It can be done. It may not be able to be a Class 1 trail the whole way, but the Park District has already compromised on that issue. For instance, in order for the trail to cross Route 150, the trail is sharing roadways in Springdale Cemetery, which is a Class 3 trail. They can make the same kind of compromises elsewhere and give us a both/and solution instead of an either/or. We must reject what Jim Collins calls “the tyranny of the ‘or'” and embrace the “genius of the ‘and'”!
Despite our differences, I think you’re doing a lot of good for Peoria with your revitalization efforts and positive attitude. It was a pleasure to meet you, and I wish you continued success.
Very good. Im leaving town for a bit, but will keep on blog update mode.
C.J., you did a very good job of presenting the facts. Facts are what it is all about if presented so the listener can properly interpet them. O’Brien did a poor job both on presentation and facts. I haven’t met Alexis yet but wish him only the best. Former Mayor Neumiller did a god job. Richard Carver, better known to me as “tricky dickie” in previous dealings with him said he was not being paid but he worded his statement in such a way as to leave out the fact that the Peoria Park District is paying his expenses back and forth. Confirmed in a recent telephone conversation with PPD Trustee Jackie Petty.
In a survey I clipped from an out of town paper the factors for moving to or living in any codmmunity were as follows:
School systems
Better paying job market
Safety
Affordability of housing
Taxes
Mobility or roadways and condition of infrastructure
Enhancements such as parks, theatres, and all “off” time activities for all ages.
Trails and bicycle paths were not listed in the top 10 categories. Are they important? Yes to those who ride but certainly not vital to the growth of this community. Heartland Partnership and all thier partnerships will tell you that companies do not relocate because of trials.
At some point and it may even be too late now, this community will decide that we can’t have everything we want an get our priorities in order.
Speaking of Junction City, why hasn’t the new development housing Junior Achievment??, a bank and a drug store taken off? Is it because there isn’t a trail crossing prospect or could it be this type of mall developed on this site are not in demand at this time? If and when the economy retreats and it will, jobs will become a lot more important than trails.
No community with leaders in their right minds would abandon this someday soon economic development tool to a lightly used trail.
There was talk about high schools using Sheridan Rd. and the dangers presented. I suggest the schools bus them out to Alta and they can run both Northwest and Southeast with no danger. Notre Dame buses their tennis players to Glen OAk and Peoria Central somehow gets their tennis players to Bradley Park.
Stick with the rails and sell the feature to prospects around the country, especially those who are located in communities that will be effected by global warming as many of the pundits and intellectuals warn us is right around the corner .
The county should have taken a stand on this issue as we are greatly concerned about attracting better paying job to Peoria. But both lines are in the jurisdiction of the city.
In the meantime the PPD has 9,000 acres of land and lots of money where the could develop more trails than could be used in a year. And how many people do you see anywhere in the area riding bicycles in the winter time in Peoria?
I just came back from 26 days in Ft. Myers and Naples. Don’t recall seeing half a dozen bikes even in the parks where I played tennis.
I wondered why Alexis would suddenly want a trail “for Peoria”. At least we all know now why Alexis says a trail would be good. It would be good for his planned development, first and foremost.
I used to live next to the Kellar Branch by the Sheridan/Knoxville area. Seeing a small engine pulling along one and sometimes two boxcars was neat. They went rather slow and waved to the kids.
I would much rather have a small use rail line running thru my backyard than a trail filled with all sorts of people all day long staring at you and your kids and who litter. I wouldn’t let the kids out alone even in my own fenced backyard if there was a trail behind me.
CJ,
Great job! Thanks for speaking up for the rest of us who believe maintaining the rail line is the best option for Peoria!
I was at a candidates forum where only 8 of the 14 candidates were in attendance. There were probably 40-50 people in the audience. The Kellar Branch issue came up at the end and a few candidates said they wanted to see dualuse, a few candidates said they wanted a trail only option, and I stated that I was pro established business. I then reminded people that PIR is a local company and that I cannot afford the tax increase that the trail will cost. I heard many, many groans and 1 amen in the room. I am not anti-trail, as is starting to be rumored. If it can be done in an economical way that does not cost me anything, then I am all for it. (remember though, grants are someone eles tax dollars) A question no one seems to be asking is why is PIR interested in this line? Is it so they can lose money on this line? Is it because they see future growth in this area? Any other ideas on this question?
Merle – I think the County needs to communicate with the City its desire on the trail issue. Although, as you say it is a city issue, it affects the county also.
Just to set the record straight. I am not on Pioneer Industrial Railway’s payroll. I have not received one penny from them. As far as I know none of the people on our team has ever received one penny from them. So we are not bought people that are working in their interest. We are here because we are dedicated to railroading and economic development in our area. We feel that Pioneer has the community’s best interest at heart. After all they are a local company and are certainly not going to do something to harm the community that might eventually cost them business. That doesn’t make sense. Evidently they have faith in being able to make the Kellar Branch financially viable, they are willing to put more than a half a million dollars of their own money into it to prove it. Doing what’s best for the community is in their own best interest in the long run. As for Pioneer having a working relationship with UP as was mentioned last night. Pioneer has 16 railroads across the country and they have a very successful working relationship with all major railroads UP included. They would have to have in order to stay in business.
Alexis Khazzam wants a trail because Ray LaHood and Aaron Schock want one. Ray LaHood and Aaron Schock want one because a few of the movers and shakers in the town (not Khazzam) want the trail. The movers and shakers want the trail because some of them stand to make a lot of money from the construction of the trail.
Alexis Khazzam likely is aware that a rail line which would carry a streetcar to his new Village would be worth a lot more than a group of screaming Cub Scouts, or a a line of biking people going 30 MPH. But, politics makes for strange bedfellows.
Pioneer sees great potential in combining the Kellar Branch and rail/ industrial property in Growth Cell Two. Even if real estate prices are far higher than other local sites, competitive rail service could make the difference. Their CEO and President mentioned talking to a company at Pioneer Park that plans to bring 500 jobs to Peoria, and I can only wonder if that company is Globe Energy Eco-System LLC. They recently purchased the Gateway Milling building but will need more space for such a big operation, if in fact they are this company. (Note: Just because a company plans to bring 500 jobs to the city doesn’t mean they qualify as a “high volume rail user.”) Also, the new owner of the Nyle Staley Interstate Ready Mix plant on Van Buren has now been made public as one of CIRY’s “new business opportunities.” Luring to Growth Cell Two building materials, renewable fuels, steel warehouse or food processing firms is possible.
There is another letter written to the Journal Star against turning the Kellar Branch into a dedicated trail today. I do think it is amazing the amount of people that are starting to come out of the “woodwork” and speaking against at trail. What has happened to everyone wanting this beloved dedicated trail? It seems like more of the People in Peoria want real, stable economic development and jobs that they can rely on. I hope the City Council gets it right and does what is really the best option for the city.
About ten years ago, I lived in an apartment complex along a trail in the western suburb of Carol Stream, IL. It was a selling point and the rent was a little more because of it. I used it mostly to walk to the bar that was a mile away that was also near the trail. My balcony overlooked the trail and it seemed to get a good amount of use on the weekend.
Do you think you could have found the bar even without the trail? Because, if you could have, I don’t see where the trail had any econcomic benefit as far as you were concerned… other than it took some additional beer money out of your pocket because of the higher rent.