Tag Archives: CityLink

City of Peoria, CityLink, Village of Peoria Heights

City and Village still failing to communicate

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Not long ago, the City of Peoria was presuming to speak for itself and the Village of Peoria Heights regarding the Kellar Branch rail-to-trail conversion. They apparently haven’t learned anything since then.

In June, the City approved a (supposedly) three-way agreement with Peoria Heights and Junction Ventures that would allow the City and Village to own an old CityLink trolley and Junction Ventures to operate it. Guess what happened? The City found out subsequently that the Village wasn’t interested. Here’s the pertinent portion of the minutes from the Peoria Heights Village Board:

Representatives from CityLink explained the request to enter into an agreement to lease a trolley, which would be used for Shuttle Service from Junction City to Peoria Heights, and possibly downtown Peoria and the riverfront. The City of Peoria would like to lease the trolley and would like the Village to participate as well, although this is not a requirement of CityLink. CityLink is donating the trolley at no cost for the actual vehicle. Mayor Allen stated that both the City and Village would own the trolley. One business owner in attendance questioned if this is in the best interests of the businesses, and Mayor Allen stated that this creates greater exposure and additional opportunities. Trustee Carter said she was at a Chamber of Commerce meeting when the other party approached the Chamber for participation, and the Village wasn’t invited to participate as a formal party at that point, yet now it appears that the Village is supposed to own the trolley but have no further responsibility. [emphasis added] Trustee Carter asked to have another meeting with all parties involved. Mayor Allen stated that after the Chamber meeting the City offered the trolley via CityLink. Trustee Pendleton would like to discuss further at a different meeting as there are lots of questions regarding insurance, liability exposure, etc. Trustee Carter moved to table the issue and Trustee Pendleton seconded the motion. The motion to table was approved by a vote of 5-1, with Trustee Goett voting no.

So now, if approved at next Tuesday’s council meeting, the City is going to own the trolley (just what the City needs, eh?) and it won’t travel through the Heights. That’s a shame, actually, as Junction City has a lot in common with the shops in Peoria Heights, and it would have been a good partnership. I can’t help but wonder if the deal would have gone through had there been better communication among the parties.

CityLink

Don’t blame Northwoods for bus route changes

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CityLink LogoThis past week, the Journal Star reported on changes being made to CityLink bus routes:

Beginning Sept. 8, Northwoods Mall will no longer be used as the unofficial – and privately owned – northern transfer station for CityLink buses.

In an agreement with CityLink and the mall’s ownership, Simon Properties, the bus service will reduce the number of routes to the mall from six to two. That reduces the number of buses that pick up and drop off at the mall’s main entrance by J.C. Penney from 250 to 50 a day.

This news has elicited some strong negative reaction to Northwoods. For example, PeoriaIllinoisan has found evidence that Simon has done similar things at other properties they own, in one case even admitting on tape, “We want to reduce the negative, um, aspects of the Center — one of them is the young, black customer.”

I was initially put off by Simon/Northwoods’ decision myself. However, as more details have emerged, I’ve changed my mind.

First of all, Northwoods is not eliminating bus service to their front door — there will still be 50 buses a day going to Northwoods. So it’s not like they’re trying to keep public transit riders out of their facility, or kick all the buses to the perimeter of the property. All they’re saying is that they “[don’t] want to be the de facto north Peoria transfer station any longer.”

And that brings me to my second point: It’s not Northwoods’ responsibility to provide a transfer station for CityLink. Whatever you may think about Simon Property Group, their past actions, or their perhaps secret motivations, the fact is that it is unreasonable to expect a private business to provide their facilities as a “de facto” transfer station. They get no subsidy to provide those services, and yet those services cost money. Many riders are simply using their property to change buses, not shop at Northwoods. Bus drivers are using their property to rest and use the bathroom (what they call “recovery time”), not shop at Northwoods. All that additional traffic puts wear and tear on their parking lot, which they have to maintain on their own dime, unlike downtown businesses who get their parking subsidized by the City of Peoria.

It is CityLink’s responsibility to provide a transfer station where one is needed, at their own expense. It appears that’s just what they’re going to do, as the end of the newspaper report states, “The transit district is looking for land and money to build a transfer station in the mall’s vicinity.” Isn’t the site of the old Denny’s at Sterling and I-74 for sale?