The Journal Star covered the public meeting Monday night on the proposed East Village TIF. They report that most people were concerned about eminent domain being used the way it was in the MidTown Plaza TIF. Also, this:
Other concerns expressed by residents focused on what type of development OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, which is also included within the TIF district’s boundaries, might have.
Sue Wozniak, the hospital’s chief operating officer, said there are no specific projects planned. She said in the future, the hospital would be supportive of developing privately owned medical offices that would help generate taxes that would go toward paying public projects – such as sidewalks and road repairs – within the district.
With all due respect, I find this very difficult to believe. OSF is spearheading this effort to establish the East Village TIF. You’re telling me they have no specific plans to take advantage of this TIF once it’s established? Really? This is just a shot in the dark for OSF?
In July, Ron Jost, Vice President of Strategic and Facility Planning for OSF St. Francis Medical Center, was interviewed on WCBU’s “Outside the Horseshoe” program.
Finally, [Jost] explained that OSF is looking at further expansion. Specifically, they’ve acquired the White School and Irving School buildings from District 150, and they’re planning to build a 100,000-200,000 square foot building to house a simulation/conference center for training purposes. They’d like to expand south of Greenleaf Street. Jost also said they would be interested in seeing if there are “other parties” who would be willing to develop and provide housing that could replace OSF’s current dormitory.
Those sound like specific plans to me. They know the location they want to expand, they know what they want built, and they’re looking for an interested developer. Why doesn’t Wozniak just level with the neighbors like Jost did?
you mean, like, tell the truth???
I am pleased to know that so many East Bluffers showed up at the meeting. I hope the various East Bluff neighborhood associations formulate official positions on this matter and let Riggenbach know, in no uncertain terms, what their expectations of him are. Judging by some of the things he’s done since he’s been on the council, I don’t believe he is always aware of who he is supposed to be working for.
He knows full well whose interest he is looking out for – his.
The meeting was a dog and pony show. Vague, what if, and so on. OSF was there (Wozniak) but not a peep. This has all the makings of a done deal, With OSF leading the charge with $$$ for the study. There is a LARGE combined sewer under the Gerlach Bld and that is where most if not all of the $5M dollars for sewer repairs could go. why was OSF was allowed to build over a 100+ year sewer? So that is one thing OSF will get out of. How will buliding a sewer in an non taxing campus bring in tax money?
After the meeting I asked the consultant about the Knoxville ave busness part of the TIF he said they wanted to develop it to capture Dollars due to the hi traffic count. I asked how since the Midtown development was to do that and it failed he was at a loss for an answear.
The consultant said East village was diffrent from Midtown TIF since it was not one developer based,so if one development failed the TIF money from all of the TIF would cover the loss (hopefully).
I make the analogy “this ship is to big to sink” (Titanic) but we will be on the hook as a city for 23 years.
So now we are almost officaly a “blight” for the state and city,
What OSF wants OSF will get. They have a plan and will follow it just we as residens have no clue what it is, just bits and pieces, Will they try to get Irving de-listed as historic since that door is open? Will they get TIF funds to tear down White and build there “Energy center” Penn ave is to be re-constructed but OSF is holding up parts of it. Conrad, If Riggenbach did not hear the concerns last night, well…we will see what transpires.
I think the tail is wagging the dog on this whole TIF project.
Regrettably deja vu with Wozniak ala PPD and the Riverplex with Bonnie Noble. It is inconceivable that OSF would pony up with their $ and not have a plan. In Cj’s other post — it talked about possible development ideas possibly ‘in the works.’ I agree with Martin …. sewer repairs are on the table. At the fly by the seat of their pants meeting at Prince of Peach Church several months ago …. talk from OSF was about housing for nursing students and helping the developers to get incentives.