March 6, 2009:
Although a funding gap of about $11 million to build the Peoria Riverfront Museum would remain even if Peoria County voters approve a sales tax increase next month, project officials say they are confident a successful referendum will trigger the final donations.
“We will go out after the referendum is passed, and while it won’t be a piece of cake, we do feel that once we get over the hurdle of the referendum, the other $11 million can be put together,” said Mark Johnson, project manager of the Caterpillar Experience, the Cat visitor’s center that will share the Downtown block with the museum.
April 8, 2009:
The $40 million county contribution to the $77 million museum doesn’t fully fund the project; a $10 million funding gap remains…. Officials are looking at the possibility of federal economic stimulus money to help pay for the parking garage and other public money in a capital budget out of Springfield. Vergon said he thinks the money will be raised one way or another.
“We’ve got a capital campaign to restart,” he said. “It shouldn’t be too difficult to do that because most of the people that had not pledged or committed were concerned whether we’d get all the public money or not, and it looks like that seems to be behind us now.”
May 21, 2009:
Initially short about $10.2 million even with the $40 million raised through the voter-approved Peoria County sales tax increase, the funding gap to build the Peoria Riverfront Museum is narrowing.
“We knew there were people who didn’t want to formally commit to a donation until after the referendum to see which way the vote went,” said Michael Bryant, the CEO of Methodist Medical Center, who also heads the group of area leaders and business people – called the CEO Roundtable – that is raising money for the museum.
“We are seeing that those people are stepping up right now and committing money to this project.” Bryant said the new shortfall is about $7.2 million, meaning the project has received about $3 million in donations since the quarter-percent sales tax referendum was approved by voters 50.7 percent to 49.3 percent 44 days ago. “We’d like to see the gap closed all the way by the end of the summer,’ Bryant said. ‘I’m cautiously optimistic it can be done.”
Governance agreements for the Peoria Riverfront Museum are within sight, paving the way for construction to begin this summer, though the Museum Collaboration Group is saddled with a $7.2 million revenue gap.
So, to sum up, there was a $10.2 to $11 million private funding gap before the referendum in 2009. Not to worry, museum supporters assured us. Once the referendum passes, they were confident they could raise the rest of the money. After the referendum passed, the CEO Roundtable went to work and raised $3 million in a little over a month.
And that’s it. Since May 2009, the funding gap has remained at $7.2 million. A child conceived when the last dollar was raised for the museum could have been born by now.
Not to worry, though. Lakeview Museum Board of Directors Chairman Tom Bardwell told the County Board on Thursday how they plan to close that gap:
We strongly believe that, through research and also conversations in the community and everything that’s happening right now, we believe there’s about $4 million that can be raised in private dollars here in Peoria County or in the local area.
We also believe there’s about a million and a half dollars — in fact, we have a target for about $3 million of line-of-sight that we can see, but let’s be conservative and say a million and a half dollars — from either grants, foundations, other government entities that may make pledges towards this project, which basically takes you five and a half million.
And then there’s also a third avenue of funding we’re pursuing — some of you may have heard some of this — something called New Market Tax Credits. New Market Tax Credits are something we’re pursuing for this project. We believe, conservatively, $4 million should be our target number.
So, our funding strategy is targeted to raise about nine and a half million dollars which is obviously about the $7.2 million gap, but obviously we want to be as conservative as possible in those numbers, so we hope to get there as soon as we can….
Note that their plan to close the private funding gap includes efforts to get $4 million in public funding via the New Markets Tax Credit program. They’re also trying to get public funding from “other government entities.” And despite the fact they’ve not raised any money the past nine months, we’re supposed to believe there’s still $4 million in private funding out there based on their “research” and “conversations.” These are the same people who assured us the funding gap would be closed right after the referendum passed.
Why should we believe any of this? What possible reason is there to have any confidence in the museum group’s fundraising plans? In fact, other than the $3 million raised after the referendum passed, fundraising efforts have been effectively stalled for years, which is why the museum group came to Peoria County for tax funding in the first place.
Instead of this eternal effort to bleed the region for money, the museum should do what it should have done years ago: change its plans. Redesign the building so it’s more efficient to build. Build up instead of out, which will free up more of the block for private commercial development. Dispense with the parking deck, as there is already a glut of available parking downtown, especially along the riverfront. Cutting the deck (pun intended) and/or redesigning the building would also remove the engineering challenge/expense of putting a boomerang-shaped building partially on top of a rectangular deck. If just those things were done, millions of taxpayer dollars would be saved, and the project could be built without any additional fundraising.
The first step in problem solving is to correctly identify the problem. The problem here is not a fundraising problem. It’s a design problem. The project is too large and too expensive. Caterpillar should be using its influence to get the museum group to do their part in reducing expenses instead of bullying the County into building something unaffordable and unsustainable.
What’s the problem? It’s only a few million free tax money for something nobody wants?
The big shame in this is the fact that this boondoggle trying to raise money takes away from actual charitable donations to places like St Jude, CHOI, ACS, Easter Seals, etc.
Good points on the design but that defeats the purpose of this group, to build a monument no matter what the cost. You bring up quotes and stories from the past year – it would be interesting to go further back and look at what was said and how much the story has changed since this project started many,many years ago. This project is doomed not because the project is bad but because the vision and skills of the team leading it are poor. I agree that this project should be built for it can afford. The funny thing is, I think at this point all we have is estimates of what it is going to cost but not hard bid numbers, that is when we will really know what the cost is and how much money is needed at the end (other than changes that will increase the cost).
What a shame that we have invested so much time in something of this nature when we could actually being solving real problems in our area like schools, infrastructure, public services that are in such poor shape.
Here is a quick question directed to all of the curent museum plan supporters………
I think it is becoming more and more obvious that CAT is the ‘real’ driving power behind this museum project….
Does anyone think that CAT would attempt to run its ‘business’ the same way it has been developing/pushing through this particular museum project?
If the hierarchy at CAT ran their business with the same haphazard abandon they seem to embrace with the museum project where would they be now?
I agree with the argument CJ has put forward here. I always have agreed with him on this issue. My question is, we can argue and debate this all the way until the cows come home, what can we do, on the streets or in public to show opposition to this? The fact is that very little percentage of the voting public actually voted for this although that percentage was more than voted against it. It’s obvious voting out board members is one way but after this last election, people in office that take care of their own, like the Sheriff, or the State’s Attorney seem to get re-elected by landslides. So getting rid of a county board that is forcing this down our throats isn’t going to work.
Unless a bunch of us show up in masse with signs to a board meeting or organize in some way to enlighten the public at large, then this thing is coming come hell or high water. Organizing should be the next step to stop this madness.
When enough bureaucratic prestige has been invested in a project, it is easier to see it fail, than to abandon it. Facts do not cease to exist just because they are ignored.
Is this “PlanB” that they were questioned about sometime ago by the City Council and had no answer for except to criticize the questioners?
wacko: CJ’s plan could be a Plan B. Another Plan B had been presented by Citizens For Responsible Spending which would have been to green over the block to a parklike setting until a different design could have been developed. Even though millions have already been spent — an effective redesign would actually save taxpayer millions and the end result might even ‘sing to the hearts of the people’ and people might actually donate private money to the redesigned project.
“My question is, we can argue and debate this all the way until the cows come home, what can we do, on the streets or in public to show opposition to this?”
First everyone who didnt want it to happen could have shown up in masse to the polling boothes and voted against the tax to help fund it.
Second if that didnt work everyone in Peoria county could have voted out the council people on the county and city level that supported it.
I mean if we are depending on the anti museum party to get out there and protest and they do it like they did the vote I dont think the museum supporters have much to worry about.
Stephen:
Unfortunately there are some on this blog and others in the electorate that do not understand that elections have consequences. When elections do not go their way a whole plethora of reasons will be brought forward to explain the outcome. Most of those reasons will be side issue level.
We even have Tazewell County folks claiming their taxes are being spent unwisely in Peoria County, and their passion is second to none and their concern is greater than ours.
I don’t understand when you hell bent on shoving this through why even comment, ignore recession, ignore caterpillar withdraw of funding
just going to make something up to make sound like the right thing
Precinct Committeeman,
That was a wonderful explanation! I am sure Stephen fully understands what is going on now………
Unfortuantely, you museum supporters are doing the same thing…you merely state that the vote was cast and the museum tax approved! Done deal. Who cares if the original plan has been changed so many times its not the ….., well,…..original plan anymore.
Like so many of us have stated before, if the voters knew then what they know now, how many YES votes do you think the tax would have received? At least CAT doen’t use the museum ‘business model’ to run it’s own business. At least the Peoria City Council doesn’t use the museum ‘business model’ to run it’s own business, wait a minute….they do! What is left too say about the Peoria County Board?
Since you museum supporters are so keen on pointing out which way the vote went, remember….. nothing is permanent! It is not to late to re-direct that money towards something that will really benefit the community. Don’t start buying your museum season tickets just yet!
New Voice… we didn’t vote on a museum, we voted on a tax increase… they can do whatever they want with it.
As for the IMAX… ha ha ha fooled you! You get a cardboard cut out of a river, three concession stands a Cat visitor center.
NV wrote “…remember….. nothing is permanent!” except the continued presence of non voting citizens, zebra’s will aways be striped, the poor will always be with us, community benefit is in the eye of the community member not the neighbor across the river.
Bellwood Nursing Home has been on the table in a not so subtle way ever since the County Board got behind a tax vehicle. Don’t believe me ask Merle.
Precinct,
Very true! But……… when was the last time we heard anything about Bellwood [or any other way to spend the revenue generated by this new tax]? The museum is only, what…a few million dollars short? As if there will be anything left to spread about the ‘community’ when the museum project is finally a done deal [one way or the other]. Heck, they [PRM/CAT] will probably be hitting us up for more $ soon anyway.
Precinct also writes, “community benefit is in the eye of the community member not the neighbor across the river.” Again, very true. However, were that really the case, I am sure most Peoria community members would opt for better schools, lower crime [murder] rate, etc.
Also, what do we do for the rest of Peoria County; those outside city limits who voted against the tax? You know, the “community members” who live in OTHER communities! As I recall, most of these people voted against the tax. I am sure they were all wondering how a museum located in the heart of the city would benefit some of the more outlying areas of the county…? Anyway………….
I do agree with Precinct, and anyone else who points out, that far too few ‘community members’ exercise their right to vote [on any issue!]. This may be hard to believe, but I applaud everyone who came out to vote for the museum tax…Yes as well as NO voters.
The community of Peoria County did support the ballot measure. Below that level of organization you will proably find any number of smaller communities that had less than stellar support, but the question was at the county level, no other.
I know that many of you just ignore me and think I am full of borscht, but look here:
“To pay for public facility purposes, shall Peoria County be authorized to impose an increase on its share of local sales taxes by one quarter of one percent (¼%) for a period not to exceed twenty (20) years? This would mean that a consumer would pay an additional twenty-five cents (25¢) in sales tax for every $100 of tangible personal property bought at retail. If imposed, the additional tax would cease being collected at the end of twenty (20) years, if not terminated earlier by a vote of the county board.”
Is there anything in there about a museum? Let’s look again… 20 years… 1/4% tax… bought at retail… public facility… hey wait a minute! PUBLIC facility? Is any public money going to the Cat center? If Cat is donating their millions to the PRM project, who is paying for the Cat visitor center and where is that money coming from? (The Cat Visitor Center is certainly not a PUBLIC facility, is it?)
Precinct,
I hate to nit-pick, but the entire community of Peoria County DID NOT support the museum –
“The outcome was uncertain to the end. Support for the museum was ahead by a scant 82 votes with all of Peoria County votes counted and just five precincts left to report in the city. But voting trends stayed stationary all night – 60 percent to 40 percent in favor of the referendum in the city, and 60 percent to 40 percent opposed in the county. The final five precincts stretched the final to a margin of victory of 410 votes.” – By SCOTT HILYARD (shilyard@pjstar.com)
Journal Star
Posted Apr 07, 2009 @ 08:43 PM
Last update Apr 08, 2009 @ 03:49 PM
I would hestitate to say that a 60% to 40% opposed vote by county voters [outside of city limits] is a sign of overwhelming ‘community’ support. I would also say [still] that a 410 vote margin is hardly incentive enough to support a multi-million dollar project, the bulk of which comes from the tax payer. But………
but……what? Once again it dosnt matter if it was 470000000 votes or 1 the result is still the same.
NV,
Who mentioned overwhelming community support? Majority support at the ballot box is what the County Board asked for in placing the issue on the election contest.
Every pocket of opposition to the question below the County level is recorded in the no votes of the election totals all you need to do is go to the votes listing and see, I know you have done this. Every pocket of support is also recorded in the vote totals.
When you get more no pockets than yes pockets you can have the victors Wreath placed on your head and we will throw flowers in your path on the way to the lectern when you give your speech that sums up the reason for the defeat.. oh! I forgot you can’t vote in our elections….. sorry. We will send you a candygram instead.
Stephen,
Until I can decipher the code you are using to write your posts, I must refrain from posting any ‘comments’ at this time.
Precinct,
I was trying to be civil [for a change]. You are not being very nice. Enough of my friends and family WERE able to vote, and I will be one of the ‘many’ who shop in your fair city, thus, getting nailed with your ridiculous tax every time. Of course I hear a number of people on the EP side of the river planning to stay on THEIR side of the river. Maybe they will use all of the money coming in from the hotels, restaurants, and casino to fund their own museum?
Wonder what ever happened to the PRM plan to hit up the entire tri-county area for a few [museum] bucks?
Your ‘we won the vote so lets start building [even though we are still short a few million dollars]’ attitude is what makes this project continue to be such a loosing proposition. Are they going to run the museum with the same mind-numbing incompetency they used to plan this project?
Anyway, has anyone tried to cash that 5 million dollar check from the state yet? The universities and colleges are begging for their millions from a bankrupt state [which somehow came up with 5 million for a Peoria museum…?]. Why go to college when you can get a reduced rate ticket to see a duck decoy exhibit at the ‘new’ PRM?!?!? Sorry, the reduced-rate tickets are for Peoria County residents only…
“the result is still the same”
What result? The same hole in the ground? A group of people staring at millions of dollars stored securely in a cookie jar somewhere… where is all that money raised so far? After a year or two, haven’t they earned enough interest to make up the lack of donations?
NV: I appreciate your civil comments.
Ahhh…….. Very good.
Bellwood back in the public view today (12 feb 2010)