Have you seen “Museum Square” lately? Well, if you haven’t, maybe a look at this will inspire you to come downtown and take a look for yourself:
Yes, that’s right — these are the slogans that officials hope will “attract riverfront and Downtown visitors to the site and increase awareness of the project.” It’s a little something I like to call the “ExploraFence” — an homage to one of the museum’s rejected names, “ExploraSphere.” Aren’t they inspiring? Don’t they fill you with a sense that the museum project is “moving forward and that this project is going to happen”?
Yeah, me neither. It’s a fence. Whether you put amateur artwork or professional artwork on it, it’s still a fence around a big concrete slab that should have been developed four years ago. The museum officials are holding the block hostage until we pay the ransom to the tune of some 30 million dollars in sales tax money.
Here’s the thing — the museum folks have missed the deadlines specified in their redevelopment agreement with the city. They’re going to miss them again at the end of this year. In the past, the city has extended the deadlines. But the time has come for the city council to put the kibosh on this project at the end of this year.
Why? Well, I could go on and on, but let’s just limit things to three reasons:
- The project design is not what was originally presented. What started out as a museum of 110,000 square feet has dwindled to 81,000 square feet. That’s a 26% reduction in size from the original plan. The Journal Star reported in October 2003, “The 110,000-square-foot museum is expected to open in 2007 with areas for Caterpillar Inc., art, history, science and technology, a Childhood Discovery Center, a large-format theater, domed planetarium, auditorium, cafe and outdoor park with sculpture garden.” Now Caterpillar is no longer part of the museum, but will be building a separate visitors center. And the children’s museum is also a separate project now, in a different location, overseen by a separate organization. There have been a couple of smaller components added in the meantime, but nothing of the size and scope of the Caterpillar or children’s museum components. Despite these reductions, the price is going up.
- Costs are significantly higher than originally estimated, and still rising. Even though they’ve cut the square footage by 26%, removed two large components of the project (Cat and the children’s museum, as mentioned previously), and redesigned the exterior to lower costs (by making it uglier), the price of the project is going up. The original price tag in October 2003 was $65 million. In February of this year, Lakeview Museum CEO Jim Richerson said the price tag was estimated to be “$65 million to $75 million,” which means it’s most assuredly more than $65 million at this point. Museum officials attribute this to rising construction costs. Perhaps they should look at redesigning the museum to save money instead of looking for ways to confiscate it through raised taxes.
- The funding mechanism is not what was originally proposed. The plan was to raise the money through private donations, state and federal grants, and city perks (such as TIF funding, lease of the Sears block for $1/year, city-funded infrastructure improvements, etc.). Now they want to add a county sales tax to their public funds ledger. That’s not part of the deal. We already pay a never-ending sales tax to the Civic Center; we don’t need a new one for the museum.
And then there’s the fact that under the original plan, they were only going to use a portion of the block, leaving the rest for mixed-use development. They slowly chipped away at that over the years, until now they have the whole block, except for a proposed tiny strip of retail storefronts along Water Street, which they’re also trying to quash. And I haven’t even mentioned the Heart of Peoria Plan, which is a whole separate topic.
It’s simple. The museum didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. They didn’t meet the deadlines. They didn’t raise the money. Case closed. Five years is long enough. They don’t need more time; they need a new plan. If they are unable or unwilling to come up with a new plan, then it’s time to move on.
Damn. You beat me to it. I drove by on Saturday but was short on time and I didn’t have my camera with me. Of course my entry would have focused on what is either peeling black paint over a white background or birds doing target practice on the south wall and the fact that the old Cat lettering shines right through the black paint.
They may have hired some nice artists to do the wording, but they skimped on the base paint.
http://pointlesslyhypertechnical.blogspot.com/2008/07/adventures-on-water-street.html
No pics, but someone else blogged about this, too.
We need to be at least talking about plan B & C. Nobody is even discussing it. So if and when the museum idea does finally die are we going to have to wait another five friggin years for something else to happen? The city has spent millions and the private sector has spent millions on the riverfront but the one thing that will bring it all together and complete is this block, the so called most desireable block in downstate Illinois and there it sits because no one can get there act together. It like our very own ground zero.
Explorafence. Huh. Good one.
How about an outdoor ice skating rink?
The Museum set needs to stop whining and exit the site and not ask for another extension.
Next election cycle — vote out whomever votes for another museum contract extension.
I wonder how the anonymous posters will be able to blame this one on Diane paying $500 to see President Bush.
I feel like the only person in Peoria who is in favor of the downtown museum. Compared to anything else that is downtown, I think a museum would be a HUGE improvement. It certainly beats restaurants on stilts and the Gateway building and the stupid clock that blocked the river view from Main Street.
Am I willing to pay higher taxes to help support it? Yes! Downtown needs revitalization and there isn’t much in Central Illinois or downstate that compares to this project. I think we are lucky that Caterpillar is willing to put so much money towards it. If it ends up being a large museum for Caterpillar it would still be better than anything else that has been on that site. The original plans were magnificent and I am sorry they won’t be completed.
It seems to me that in the last ten years, Peoria has only gone backwards. I would love to see more people living downtown along with more shopping. There is a large community of artists downtown and a museum would only enhance this aspect of Peoria.
I’m not crazy about the fence, but I am still pro-museum. I do not know what they have planned for the site where Lakeview currently sits, which concerns me. It is so nice to go there on Friday evenings and listen to music. I think the preschool draws children mostly from North Peoria and I doubt many of those people will be willing to travel downtown to drop their children off for 2.5 hours. But, there lies an opportunity for someone to start another excellent preschool.
ImaSwede — I too am in favor of a downtown museum. I’m just not in favor of the one currently proposed. You say, “I would love to see more people living downtown along with more shopping.” Me too. That’s exactly what needs to go on that block along with a museum, as opposed to the current plan of the museum and Cat visitor center taking up a small portion of the block, leaving the rest of the block vacant. You say, “There is a large community of artists downtown and a museum would only enhance this aspect of Peoria.” I agree — a museum would. But the currently proposed museum will not.
You say, “It seems to me that in the last ten years, Peoria has only gone backwards.” That’s true. Instead of going forward to sustainable, dense, mixed-use, urban development that we’ve been told is needed for the past umpteen years, we’re going backward to a single use for the site, which will be about as successful as Sears was when it was the single use for the site. Instead of moving forward to a better plan, we’re constantly going backward by extending deadlines that do nothing but prop up a poor plan. It’s time to move on.
Peoriafan is sort of right. Only, we’re actually already on plans B and C. We need to go back to plan A, which was the Heart of Peoria Plan’s (and Demetriou’s before it) vision for this block. Every time we hire consultants to study the block we get the same advice, yet we never follow it. Dumb.
Maybe if we get the same generous group that paid $500 to see Bush, to show up and pay the same amount for the museum, this thing could get off the ground. All we need is some food, booze, a lacky, and a clown.
I agree with CJ. Bring back the original plan then lets talk but it will be crime if we let them(Lakeview) take that whole block for this and nothing else. If they want to downsize the museum then fine give them 1/3 of the block, Cat 1/3 and leave the another 1/3 to a private developer who will put some mixed use retail, residential etc on it and FILL THE WHOLE BLOCK UP instead of another useless concrete plaza!
There are other things like this in the downstate area. The Lincoln Museum in Springfield is in downtown Springfield, and there was not much going on in the evening. Maybe it is an improvement over the night life before, but the parking deck locked up at 7pm on Saturday. So if you go with the intention of staying for the evening you have to move your car out of the garage. Not that finding on street parking was a problem because the place was dead. In Peoria, that entire block shouldn’t be consumed by one thing that will mostly serve day time school kids. Anyone who tries to pretend that this museum’s attendance/draw will be different than any other museum in the Midwest is being very disingenuous.
If you want to pay higher taxes, ImaSwede, go ahead. Write a bigger check when your next installment comes due. Why wait for the referendum (or for them to shove it down our throats without a vote)?? As a matter of fact, they will take your money any time, why not stop in the Treasurer’s office today? Just write “museum” on the check and trust them to spend it wisely.
Five years, CJ? It’s been closer to 10 years that they have been talking about a museum on the Sears Block.
A musuem, in order to do what they want, will have to be unique. I don’t think duck decoys are going to do it.
Their project has definitely not gotten my vote.
While the mural project was an utter failure in terms of participation, it still shows utter disregard for their donors that all of the artwork was taken down without a word of warning to anyone who had paid to display it.
I think that one action is indicative of how this whole process has worked. Their continually changing plan and disregard for the clearly stated public opinion make this an already epic failure. Compounding the problem is their inability to accept reality and reassess the plan. Unfortunately, I don’t see a museum downtown as a success when it merely creates more parking lots, and isn’t open even in the late afternoon or much on weekends. Right now, the plans look a lot like a concrete disaster.
Where are our city leaders on this?
They should be putting out RFP’s on this site and see what kind of private development they can come up with. Of course it needs to be fitting for the riverfront and attract people down there.
A residential component needs to be part of any plan. Moderate priced loft condo’s and/or apartments would do very well.
That means no Walmarts or more chain restaurants. East Peoria has that covered.
If you want to reinvigorate downtown, do not let the musuem occupy the whole site, do not allow the extra large greenspace areas. If a pedestrian has to walk by ONE thing for a block, the pedestrian will be bored and feel like they’ve walked forever without getting anywhere. By developing with a finer grain and getting away from this individual site development mentality (develop for the neighborhood, not just for the site) we can get something that can invigorate downtown into something other than a 8 to 5 office park.
Mouse, how do you know I haven’t already made my donation to Lakeview Museum? Are you going to pull an Emtronics and tell me where and how to spend my money now?
ImaSwede, I have never told anyone where to spend their money. Point it out please. If you are stupid enough to write a check for more taxes because of the museum, then so be it. Stupid is as stupid does. I for one don’t want any tax money going towards this museum as it stands now although you posted that you didn’t mind a tax increase for it. Thanks for telling us all how you’d like to spend our money.
And it’s all in that over-used typeface “Boulder”…
“Thanks for telling us all how you’d like to spend our money.”
For crying out loud, Mr. Emert, pick a side and stick with it please.
“I for one don’t want any tax money going towards this museum”
Translation: I need all I can get for the slots in Vegas.
Re-read again please. I don’t tell anyone how where to spend their money, I don’t appreciate someone saying I do, then volunteering my tax dollars for a museum. Now what side do you want me on?
In other words, Please don’t accuse me of wanting to spend your money or tell you where to spend yours, then post and say it’s OK if there is a tax increase to cover the museum. Taxes are all our money and I don’t want any going there. Now, do I need crayons to draw it out? Gomer?
Translation: I don’t play slots in Vegas.
Blackjack, strippers, Cher, whatever-
Cher is perfect for Las Vegas…..timeless (and always getting a facelift to stay that way).
Seriously, should I be checked out for lusting [in my heart] after someone 20 years my senior?
‘They Had a Dream’ that states it all—- had, as in past tense, not have, had. Does that mean they woke up and are willing to step aside because it was a dream?
I agree with Karrie E. Alms…let’s see it as a skating rink this winter. That would be superb. And let the private sector develope this property. A new hotel perhaps.
Finally, someone talking sense.
Has anyone been inside that gorgeous new Hotel on the East Peoria Riverfront? I think its an Embassy Suites.
PeoProud, hey if you are lusting after someone 20 yrs your senior, come sit by me! 🙂
And Diane, yes, I have been in the Hotel. It was very nice, but I am still fond of the Pere. I love it’s old style charm. Reminds me of the Drake in Chicago. They just don’t build ’em like that any more.
Nope, dark and dank
Before we all pick on IMASWEET,I do not want to pay any more taxes than the next guy, but if I do and see a RETURN for my money…I do not mind as much. I see NO return with this museum project. The question of money has always been at the heart of this problem [project].
I have always argued that the wrong people have been pushing the wrong project. If the Regional Museum Group were a major company, upper management would have been ousted years ago! Why is the city still playing around with Lakeview?!?!?!? I believe the recent ‘issue’ at Peoria Historical Society is indicative of the way this entire project has been run from the start. Time to bring a different crew on-board; and I don’t mean another multi-million dollar consultation firm! This museum had/has the potential to become a major player as a museum and IMAX. It SHOULD have billed itself much more as a place of academic pursuit, etc. It had the potential to become a central archives, conservation/preservation center, etc. All the current Museum Group envisions is toys and more toys.
Is the people of Peoria [area] putting the skids on the museum project or is the inability of the current Museum Group to develop this project correctly the real problem here????
New Voice: IMO, it is the same old same old. The same group of moneyed Peorians plus or minus add-ons from the surrounding areas and new moneyed move-ins drumming up the same old same old top down ideas. These ideas have not worked to solve Peoria’s problems for decades and for sure the last fifteen years I have lived here.
Unfortunately, Peoria suffers from insanity, doing the same thing expecting a different result. Until we change, really change — expect the same output — mediocrity.
I agree with Emtronics — please don’t raise my property taxes — especially for more bread and circus projects which will fail. New Voice is correct more toys — no substance — build another toy project and guess what? they won’t come and the taxpayers will be paying for it with interest for at least twenty years into the future.
Reading a finance book, “You’re Broke Because You Want to Be” — the same principle applies to Peoria Development — we are want we want to be — mediocre — because the mindset continues to be the same — mediocre.
So, unless we collectively advance a different agenda (think — Heart of Peoria Plan) and hold our elected officials feet to the fire —- nothing will change. Each time the rubber met the road to enforce and adhere to the new “Vision” — no backbone and no enforcement — and so, mediocrity continues.
Public bodies living beyond their means on the taxpayer largese with half-baked plans. Think riverfront development, Riverplex, shortening the school day fro one example from the city, park district and school district — unfortunately too many other examples exist too.
End soapbox.
I AM HIP WITH THAT.
CJ’s title should have read “Prepare to be EXPIRED…”
Karrie: You make perfect sense. Right on.
This whole “Museum” debacle is so pathetic it’s sad. How long has this area, described as “one of the most valuable pieces of real estate….blah, blah, blah..” been “under development”.
I told my wife at the time of the “museum” announcement that five years from now, there would be nothing on this site. I know, not exactly going out on a limb.
Lakeview had their chance now lets give someone else a chance.
Karrie beat me to it. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the past tense in “They Had a Dream.”
New Voice, you are absolutely right…. it didn’t get off the ground correctly from the beginning and it should have been billed as more educational.
The last thing I want to see is a huge hotel in that spot. If not a museum, then maybe some affordable condos with their own parking and stores on the first two floors.
Diane, could you get on this??