The City of Peoria is taking steps toward establishing another growth cell and tax increment financing (TIF) district. There’s even a website devoted to it. The website is very informative; it includes a map, a frequently-asked-questions (FAQ) page, and a timeline.
Here’s a brief overview of what’s happening: The City has been using a “growth cell strategy” to expand and develop the north and west fringes of the City. They now want to “apply the City’s Growth Cell Strategy to the heart of the City; taking advantage of existing infrastructure and building upon existing public and private investment.” So, they’ve carved out the following area to redevelop:
As you can see, they’re calling this the “East Village Growth Cell.” Already, there is “increase[d] interest in redevelopment,” they say, as a result of the new Glen Oak School and Neighborhood Impact Zone, but “additional public guidance and intervention are needed to further spur growth within the area,” according to the website. So, they want to get this area designated as a “Redevelopment Project Area” and classified as a “blighted area” or “conservation area” so they can create a new TIF. The growth cell and TIF would be coterminous.
That’s it in a nutshell; there’s more information at www.EastVillagePeoria.com.
Of particular interest in this whole process, though, is OSF’s involvement. They’re putting up the money for the study, the website explains: “As one of the larger investors within the East Village, OSF has agreed to advance the cost for the Consultant that will be reimbursed to OSF out of first proceeds if, and only if, Council approves a redevelopment project.” And the Catholic Diocese (specifically Patricia Gibson, Chancellor/Diocesan Attorney) issued the following press release today:
On behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, I would like to express my overwhelming support for the proposed East Village Growth Cell. This creative and progressive initiative will advance the quality of life of individuals living in the study area and make essential improvements to our most historic and traditional neighborhoods.
Our most precious resources are the families who live throughout the City of Peoria. It’s particularly important that we engage these families throughout the process and demonstrate the City’s commitment to provide resources to reinvest and revitalize the heart of our community. This study area can be the stepping stones to a new beginning for the neighborhoods located within the East Village Growth Cell.
“The proposed study area will be a tremendous blessing to the Peoria community,” says Patricia Gibson, Chancellor/Diocesan Attorney. “The Catholic Diocese has made major investments within the proposed study area including the ongoing restoration of Spalding Institute and a new Pastoral Center. Additionally, St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Bernard’s Parish are uniquely located within the proposed boundaries. We believe that this neighborhood will continue to grow and flourish, and we are confident that an investment of this magnitude will open the door to future development.”
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center has lead the way in providing the highest quality of health care for our city. They continue to show their commitment to the community with the expansion of their campus. We trust that the continued involvement of OSF will greatly enhance future development.
And the City of Peoria also issued a press release that quotes several community leaders; here’s part of it:
A new strategy will ensure that these projects are completed in a consistent manner, thereby becoming a catalyst for future investment.
On July 13, 2010, Members of the Peoria City Council will be asked to approve a request for proposals to conduct a study in the East Village Growth Cell. The study will determine if the area is eligible for redevelopment. A residential TIF has the potential to create opportunities for major improvements in the study area. This initiative marks the first time that the City of Peoria has done a study that includes housing.
“This could be a unique project in that it incorporates opportunities for residential re-development in the heart of one of our older neighborhoods. I believe the council will be anxious to see the study move forward and have an opportunity to discuss the findings. Perhaps it will generate a model we can use in other more mature areas of our city,” says Mayor Jim Ardis.
Development in the proposed East Village Growth Cell will compliment the ventures currently undertaken in the area, including investments by OSF Saint Francis Medical Center and District 150 in the surrounding neighborhood. The study will also provide the opportunity to develop businesses within the Growth Cell.
The East Village Growth Cell presents an opportunity for a major collaboration between Peoria School District 150, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, and the City of Peoria.
Dr. Grenita Lathan, Superintendent of Peoria Public Schools said, “We look forward to partnering with the City and OSF on this potential growth opportunity for Glen Oak School and the surrounding neighborhoods.”
“OSF Saint Francis Medical Center is pleased to support the East Village redevelopment project. We believe the stabilization of the neighborhood and the increase in home ownership will have a positive impact on the area,” says Sue Wozniak, Chief Operating Officer, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.
The study area has the potential to provide for future growth, improvements to the surrounding neighborhoods, and redevelopment of affordable housing.
So, let’s see, the Mayor, the D150 Superintendent, the OSF COO . . . . I do believe this is a highly coordinated effort. All these press releases, the website, a surprise public meeting with residents, and the City Council agenda came out on the same day at the same time. Sounds like yet another deal that has been brokered behind closed doors and rolled out to the public with great fanfare, ala the Wonderful Development.
I hate to be cynical, but this just looks like a typical “done deal” with public input solicited after the fact for window dressing. It bothers me that there’s been so much apparent coordination by public officials out of the public’s eye. The public doesn’t have much time to look into this project before the City votes on pursuing it. That’s generally how the Council likes it.
TIF money you say? Well now, who says Chicago politics can’t play in Peoria?
How TIF dollars are spent in Chicago (The Shadow Budget):
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-chicago-shadow-tif-budget/Content?oid=1218391
I don’t know enough about this to declare it a ripoff.
But it has all the earmarks, for reasons you mention.
Wasn’t OSF wanting to build some sort of power facility in the East Bluff? Didn’t that meet with resistance? The East Bluff, those who dream of it becoming a stable residential area again, should be very very cautious with this.
I’d say the near north side ought to be worried too but there isn’t much left there.
Can we declare the eyesore of a law office on Jefferson (you know the one, silver, red, single story) blighted?
Sounds like the School in the park process. little or no public input. last minuet meeting, OSF’s way or nothing. (AKA White school powerhouse)
Strange they want to “classified as a “blighted area” or “conservation area” the new Milestone and all of the OSF proprety shown on the map.
Does this fit in with Ren Park? There was a study done on that, Ren park is in the East Bluff. AS a resident that lives smack dab in the center of this proposal no notice, funny it showed up at the 11th hour…Done Deal.
If this is such a great idea then it can stand to be better communicated and be open to (actual) public input. I wonder how many residents were actually consulted before this was rolled out. It is time for some real change down at City Hall.
When anyone comes to me bearing gifts and tells me they are for my good I become suspicious.
The fact that this meeting was held without sufficient notice to the residents that will be affected by this plan also tells me that he who is bearing the gifts is holdig the best gift for somoeone else.
When government comes to me at the last minute and does not bring all the documents that it has in it’s possession like the contract with O.S.F. to pay for the study, the minutes and the parties present when this idea was formulated, and most of all what is the objective that they wish for the study to show, then I really wonder who will get the best gift.
Developers come to cities to pay the least and get the most for their buck.
Citizens come to cities to live the American dream, trust their government and end up paying for the very gift that the city said was theirs for free.
Freedom and ideas come with a cost and I truly feel that their is more behind this plan that what we are being told.
Track the money and see who benefits. It won’t be the residents.
Billy – you had us at “I don’t know enough”
If this ends up as a TIF, can OSF get money out of the TIF pot that they don’t pay into because they pay no property taxes? If at some point during the 23 year life of the TIF OSF loses its exepmt status does their entire new tax bill go into the TIF pot? Or do they try to calculate what they would have paid in 2010 and only the increase goes into the pot? A non profit driving a TIF district is so odd.
I think it’s f***ed up that you have to register as an ‘Interested Party’ to get information about meetings on this. As a resident, I received no notice at all that this meeting was going to be held until about three hours before because I was browsing the Journal Star website.
Also, I’m curious whether OSF will be paying increased property taxes with those of us few home owners or whether they will be exempt. If they don’t, it’s obvious why they are willing to front the study cost. It’d be far cheaper than the taxes for their massive property.
Quoted from the PJS article: ‘Potentially, this is how the incentive could work: Increases in property tax revenue within the TIF district from newer development or redevelopment projects can be diverted from other taxing bodies such as District 150 and the park district and placed into an account. That money could potentially be rewarded to homeowners within the area for rehabilitation projects.’
Ren Park is not on the East Bluff
It’s like dad when I was little saying “let’s go to the mall” and we end up going to the dentists office first “just to say hi” but you either got cleaned or you got drilled.
Boblee:Yes Ren park is in the East Bluff, Check the maps or ask the city.East Bluff United N/A has a rep on Ren Park Advisory council.
Beancounter: OSF has “for profit” property 200 Pensylvainia Ave (medical office building) for example. so OSF could use the TIF for there “for Profit” projects…say White School, Irving School? Proposed new medicl office building on Penn Ave.
Conrad Stinnett: as for resident input, Our 3rd district rep should have those facts. I bet they are slim and none. A 11 hour meeting no notice at large, If this project is so good why was this concieved behind closed doors? All the residents want is VALUED input not a “this is what we are doing” like it or not meeting.
It’s true. When you think of Renaissance Park, the West Bluff comes immediately to mind because it’s in the news the most. But here’s a map of the Ren Park (fka Med-Tech) area, taken from the Ren Park Master Plan:
Martin: As you know, there is a big difference between simply meeting with residents (so they can say they did) and actually having a meeting to actively solicit ( and address) resident concerns. Unfortunately, we tend to have those first kind of meetings more than the second.
… after all this is her neighborhood, her District.
She is probably deep in research instead of just shooting her mouth off on a blog.
Yeah, heaven forbid someone shoot their mouth off on a blog … *ahem*