Saturday morning my wife and I decided to take our kids up to the Quad Cities to visit a couple of places we keep hearing about all the time in the news: The John Deere Pavilion and the Putnam Museum IMAX.
We took off late morning so that we got to Galesburg around lunch time. We stopped there and ate at the Packinghouse. I had their prime rib dip; my wife had their soup and salad bar. The children had your typical kids’ meal fare: chicken tenders or a hamburger and french fries. It was all delicious.
Then we hopped back in the van and headed north to Moline, where we stopped first at the John Deere Pavilion. Admission was free, and we all had a lot of fun climbing on the giant tractors. My kids especially enjoyed sitting in the driver’s seat and pretending to drive. There were several interactive/computerized exhibits as well. One of them was a flight-simulator-type of program that let you “drive” a harvester. Watching the children try to steer straight was a real hoot!
After a quick stop in the adjacent John Deere Store, we were off to the IMAX. Following the directions from Google was a little tricky, but we didn’t get lost and made the trip from Moline to Davenport in about 15 minutes.
The IMAX was not showing any big Hollywood shows, but they did have some short educational films. We took in the double-feature of “Mystery of the Nile” and “Under the Sea 3D.” Admission price for the two approximately 45-minute films was $14 for adults and $10 for children. So for my family — two adults and three children — the total admission cost was $58. And of course no movie is complete without some popcorn and soft drinks. That set us back another $20 or so.
We all had a good time and enjoyed the movies — well, except for my three-year-old. We learned that he’s not quite ready for movies yet. He did, however, really enjoy playing with the flip-up theater seat. The girls really enjoyed the 3D movie; my five-year-old kept reaching out and trying to grab objects that looked like they were right in front of her, which was pretty entertaining. There were about 12 people attending the first movie, and about 35 at the second movie.
After the movies, we headed back home and ate supper in Peoria. I asked the kids what their favorite part of the trip was. Answer: climbing on the big tractors.
As I reflected on our trip, I thought about a few things. First of all, the proposed Caterpillar Experience would be really cool down on the Sears block. It could be a real asset to the community and good for tourism. Unfortunately, they’ve inextricably tied themselves to the museum project, so that now their offer to build their visitor’s center is dependent on taxpayers coughing up $40 million for a project they don’t really want. It feels a lot like extortion, frankly, and doesn’t engender good feelings toward Caterpillar. I looked up some information on John Deere and I couldn’t find any ultimatum from the John Deere company that they would only build their Pavilion if some other civic project requiring millions in local tax dollars was built. It appears Deere invested in Davenport with no strings attached; what a nice company!
Nevertheless, Cat is a private company, and they’re free to invest in the community or withhold their investment at their discretion. But let’s get the facts straight: it’s Cat’s decision, not the voters’. The voters are not being given the choice of having the Caterpillar Experience without the Peoria Riverfront Museum. So be it. The ultimatum actually strengthens — not weakens — my resolve to vote against the tax increase.
Secondly, I noted that the Putnam Museum and IMAX are not located adjacent to the John Deere Pavilion. They’re located across the state line, in fact, about 15 minutes away. Yet the museum group here in Peoria holds up this IMAX as an example of how successful an IMAX can be in a community. Perhaps if they really wanted to mimic the success of this project, they should build the IMAX adjacent to the current Lakeview Museum. It would be cheaper and would still utilize local labor, but wouldn’t require a tax increase.
Putnam’s IMAX cost around $14 million to construct, and the only assistance given them by the city of Davenport was about $2 million for a new entrance and parking lot which the city now owns. No county money or tax money was needed. The rest of the funds were privately contributed.
Finally, I thought about the claim that the tax will only cost the average Peoria resident $17 per year. What the $17 doesn’t include is the price of actually patronizing the museum, which can be costly, especially if you have a large family. Just going to a couple of educational movies cost my family nearly $80. If we had wanted to visit the museum’s galleries, it would have cost even more. How are residents on the south side going to afford to go to this new amenity that they will be contributing to build? Or residents in the far-flung reaches of the county, for that matter?
The only answer I can come up with is that they won’t be able to afford it. They will pay to build it, but won’t get to enjoy the benefits of it. Meanwhile, things they would benefit from — improved infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, sewers, etc. — will continue to be deferred for lack of funds.
I enjoyed my trip, but I’m still voting “no” on April 7.
Yet………………………..
The PRM group [still] insists on comparing their project to the John Deere Pavillion, Dubuque Museum, etc.
I remember sometime ago, when members of the Lakeview Museum Board, travelled about the country, visiting cities comparable in size to Peoria, that sported small museums, etc.
I am still not sure what they came away with from those ‘experiences’…………
Whatever it was, it must have been enough to make them all ‘experts’ in the field of museum studies.
Nice post C.J.
When I moved to Peoria, it took me about a year to find out that the Lakeview Museum even existed, let alone where it was located. The Putnam Museum has a similar problem in Davenport.
In contrast, I found Kelleher’s on the Riverfront on my first weekend.
I think that longtime Peorians forget that most people who visit Peoria will experience downtown, the riverfront, and most likely the OLD mall, not the new one. A lot of visitors don’t know about Grand Prairie until a second or third visit.
A Lakeview expansion would be an epic failure. A downtown Riverfront museum, however, would be discovered by many visitors who weren’t necessarily seeking it out, but were in town for other reasons.
If the Block does get built, I think it will be much more successful than the opponents anticipate- to me, however, an expansion of Lakeview should not be an option for this project.
You got to see the Imax 3D flat screen. The lack of a Hollywood movie resides in that the current one is ‘The Watchmen’ which is totally not a family movie.
When most people think Imax, they are thinking of the Omnimaxis (renamed Imax Domes) that are at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry or the St Louis Science Center. The Imax 3D in Davenport and the Dome’s are two different beasts. I really doubt the PRM expects to put a Dome in Peoria. The Dome’s seem to only exist in high traffic venues. The Dome’s don’t get the modified Hollywood movies either, as they use a highly specialized and proprietary technology.
CJ – your title line cracks me up! I had no idea you were still on the fence! Lol!
As if you needed any more convincing to vote “no” on the referendum.
Yes, I agree one of the greatest arguments against the museum has to be the cost of “enjoying the museum” experience while at the same time paying taxes to pay for the museum. Even worse is that many will be paying for the museum but will never be able to afford the experience.
Scruff has a good point.
The riverfront is the right location. Most visitors to town are hear because of CAT, Civic Center or a convention at one of the hotels.
Downtown is where you would expect to find an attraction like the IMAX and museum.
It will be a major loss to this community if this fails to happen. It will give me reason to reconsider living in Cental Illinois. I was born here and like Peoria but a no vote is going to send a big message to where this community is headed in the future and I won’t want to be a part of it.
The future of the riverfront is going to be pretty depressing if this fails to happen and unfortunately there are some that would love to see the riverfront fail.
Life is too short.
“I was born here and like Peoria but a no vote is going to send a big message to where this community is headed in the future and I won’t want to be a part of it.”
And I feel the same thing if it does pass. While infrastructure around us and D150 is crumbling and crime rises, we WANT (not need) some riverfront temple at partial taxpayer expense. It tells me where this community going…the “haves” have and they have nots can help pay for it. If I have to hear one more time from any part of the city government that we have to do something about the East Bluff and South Side to make those areas better and decrease inner city flight while they finance this, I’m going to puke.
Scruff:
With all due respect, during your first weekend, did you seek out the museum? Or were you just searching for a good local restaurant/pub?
We have numerous outlets to research local events and activities: there’s word of mouth, the phone book, newspapers, internet, travel and tourism bureaus, hotel lobbies or the concierge (ever see the brochure rack inside any of the local hotels? what organizations/programs/places are advertising? how many are in the immediate area, and how many are 1-2 hours away) If the particular activity is something people are looking for, they’ll find it. If it’s not (or if they don’t have the time to do it), they won’t. It doesn’t matter if it’s outside their door or across town.
I was in Bloomington a few weekends ago for a conference. My friends and I spent 15 minutes scanning the phone book and the internet for a good place to eat upon which we could all agree. We did not, however, look for museums, shopping, movies or other attractions, mostly because we knew there wouldn’t be time.
Yes, the Civic Center brings in many conventions and sporting events. But how many of these events are running during and throughout the day? What free time will there be? And if there is free time during the day (when the museum will actually be open), what are the odds that, say, there’s an IMAX film running during that time that’s affordable that the patron would be interested in? Or that there’s an exhibit worth seeing?
CJ — I couldn’t help but notice you and your family didn’t actually go see any of the exhibits at Putnam. Did you not have time? Surely there must have been something special there the museum was promoting?
If museum supporters want the museum so badly, let them spend their extra money and pay for it themselves. Or do what the rest of the real world has to do: take out a loan and pay it back. Just don’t ask for my tax dollars. I’ve already spent enough supporting the Civic Center, D150, the Park District/new Zoo, Waste Management, the Airport Authority, the library, BelWood Nursing Home, not to mention the aforementioned sewer project. If I want to support the museum, I’ll cut back on other entertainment to afford the tab.
Scruff makes one of the better arguments for the museum I’ve heard yet.
However, the only time you will EVER see crowds downtown is during the weekend, and ONLY when their is something else [IHSA Basketball, etc.] going on.
Even with these ‘crowd-producing’ events, I do not see how the PRM will ever draw in the numbers [of paying customers] they have been projecting.
Heck, a ‘museum’ somewhere on the riverfront would be a great idea. Lets renovate an existing building and save the taxpayers a few million bucks! Lakeview can stay where it is, and we can let the other so-called partners team up downtown…..
Peoriafan,
You could always move to Dubuque.?.?
Martha-
You support my point. On my first weekend I was looking to see what the community had to offer. Naturally one would gravitate towards downtown Peoria to begin that search.
The Riverfront is a perfect location because it will attract people to the Block that were not necessarily looking for that activity. People seeking a museum will likely find Lakeview, but how many people visiting Peoria venture beyond downtown, I-74, and War Memorial?
It could actually be argued that renovating the current Lakeview Museum is a more selfish endeavor, because it does not welcome or, more importantly, attract out-of-town visitors.
New Voice- both good comments, esp the Dubuque one 🙂
If you looked for the museum but couldn’t find it, don’t you think that has more to do with their lack of promotion/advertising — or the layout of Peoria and how difficult it is to navigate — then anything else?
Acknowledged: the harder you make something to find, the fewer people will go looking for it. Chicago and St Louis are great examples of doing it right — restaurants, museums, attractions all along their waterfronts (or at minimum, in a dense, downtown setting). But for almost all of these, the attractions are the ends in and of themselves. I’m sure many of us have spent almost a full day at the Field Museum or the Art Institute. But do most people honestly believe that tourists from hours away will gravitate the same way to THIS museum, just because it’s downtown instead of the suburbs of Peoria?
But let’s return to the previous question: if it’s such a good idea — dare I say, the ultimate saving entity of downtown — why isn’t it fully funded privately? I can’t find any answer for this question. All I hear is that the contribution for each person will be minimal — but why should we have to contribute at all?
I disagree with the statement that people from out of town will come downtown. I visited Peoria for 7 years, usually several times a year and lived here for 6 months before I ever came downtown.
I only came downtown when I got a downtown job. If you aren’t going to the Civic Center for something, there really is no need to come downtown. I’m not so sure a museum will change that all that much.
Ben-
During that span, how many times did you happen by Lakeview?
Although your situation did not lead you downtown, most visitors to Peoria are more likely to find themselves downtown than Lake Avenue.
It’s a numbers game, and the numbers definitely favor the Riverfront.
I don’t think anyone really cares about a $17.00 a year increase in their taxes, (even tho that is a false premise), it’s the idea of who is going to support such a project- a thousand people a day? That’s nonsense. Use that land for something worthwhile for everyone!!
So to all you NO voters what is your plan for that two block area if this gets voted down?
Will you start a group to find a use for that block and spend all your blogging energy advocating for a new project that will benefit all or will you take the easy way out and just say put a park there (because parks don’t take any money to build or maintain).
My guess is you will all just move on to the next thing to bitch about and you will really care less if that two block area sits empty for eternity for every visitor to Peoria to see for the next ten years.
Well congrats on your willingness to take the time to explore the possibilities. I believe the Deere Pavilion was built as a part of a larger riverfront development project which included both a large office building next door (in which the Deere gift shop is located) as well as a large multi-level parking deck. I’m not sure who owns the office building and parking deck, but I know that John Deere Health Care has offices on several floors of the office building. Yes, it’s a really sad, sad commentary that Caterpillar has offered the community $55 million but attached a string to their offer. As ungrateful residents, we should just tell them to take their string and go play elsewhere, oh wait a minute, that strategy has backfired on Peoria before, seems I remember something called a riverboat gambling development.
Wacko: I’m not so sure that most people do not care if their taxes are raised $17 a year. Probably the people who can afford and are willing to spend the extra $17 are the ones who will visit the museum. But that leaves, I believe, a majority of people whose taxes will help pay for a facility that they can’t afford to visit. Aren’t we already being threatened with a raise in state income tax? In these economic times, anyone who can snatch taxpayer money is ready to do so. My guess is that many will be unwilling to say “yes” when they can say “no.” However, there is also a good chance that the “no” votes might stay home on April 14. That’s the only way this referendum will pass (my opinion).
Build the Block the Right Way- Vote NO!
Peoriafan- you are right on. Where are the people who are for something at the block everyone seems to be against everything.
“Probably the people who can afford and are willing to spend the extra $17 are the ones who will visit the museum.”
– Sharon, you are probably correct in your assumption, but I would ask one question; how many times will THOSE people visit the museum? The museum group’s attedence figures are STILL very much in question………..
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PEORIAFAN,
Are you still here? Many of the people who are against this museum plan have served on several city commissions. C.J. is only one example. Many of these people were advocates of the Heart of Peoria Plan, etc. I don’t know how many fantastic ideas I have heard from people concerning everything from a different museum plan to what should become of the Sears block/Riverfront.
What do YOU do when you have an issue with local govt, etc? Do you stand and take it?
—————————————————————-
the Whole Truth LLC,
So…….. please tell me…..WHY should CAT have ANY strings attached? Since they are the GREAT community benefactor, why does everything have to be their way or the high-way? I am STILL waiting to hear why this damned Visitors’ Center can’t be built without the damned museum!!!! Explain THIS to me!
Now…if CAT was willing to fork out $55 million, give all those workers their jobs back, and not promote a project that requires tax payers to foot the bill, I might be inclined to agree with you [on several points].
Peoriafan: Rest assured that I will continue to advocate for the Heart of Peoria Plan. I will encourage the city to work on developing the block according to the principles of the Heart of Peoria Plan — mixed use, residential and retail components, etc. I do not want the block to sit empty, nor do I want it to become a park. Read the Heart of Peoria Plan and you will see the vision for this block — the vision that was put together by hundreds of residents and stakeholders in Peoria. Build the Plan.
WholeTruthLLC: When it’s a $40 million string, it’s significant. This situation is not analogous to the casino situation.
Leslie110: I am not “against everything.” I’ve supported the Heart of Peoria Plan since its inception and the principles of New Urbanism since before Duany even came to town. I supported the Peoria Public Library expansion/renovation project, and encouraged my readers to vote yes on the tax referendum for it. I was strongly supportive of a history museum and even having the museum downtown before it turned into the Lakeview Über Alles museum. I’m for a lot of things. I’m just not for this project with this funding mechanism. I don’t know why that’s so hard for some people to understand.
Sharon — FYI — please vote on April 7 not April 14 that would be too late to vote NO.
For a recap. Defeat of the referendum on April 7 allows for new options to be explored as the museum group has said that they do not have a Plan B.
We need to Build a Better Block — advocating for the Heart of Peoria Plan and to have community stakeholders not just 35-40 community members participate in meetings. For example, fundraising has begun to have Fred Kent from Project For Public Spaces come to Peoria. For more information, please visit http://www.pps.org/ .
Perhaps you will take the opportunity to scroll down and click on the tabs on the lefthand side of the page.
Downtowns
Mixed use developments
Waterfronts
Parks and so on to better understand what needs to be done to successfully redevelop this prime piece of real estate. By working together we can build a better block.
Your opinions and dialogue and discussions are welcome to start planning for the future.
I talked to my sister on the telephone today. She lives out of state, but peruses our local blogs. Today she asked me what the big stink was about the museum. I told her that some didn’t want it. She asked why. I told her because it would mean an extra sales tax of an extra 25 cents on a $100. purchase. She couldn’t hardly believe it. “Your town would turn down a museum for THAT?”. I told her that some people felt it should be spent on crappy roads and sidewalks. She said “everyone has crappy roads and sidewalks”. She seriously could not figure out what the stink was about. She also said “and why would they get so nasty about it… why wouldn’t they just vote “No”?. Good question. Then again, she lives in a very progressive area with a lot of top notch amenities.
So many of you were against the Kellar Branch Walking and Biking trail. What an asset that would have been and now look at it.
I see trains hauling goods back forth daily and look at all the business’s that use it now. Yea right. A basic service that will never get used.
I am so glad you were all against it. I am sure the Sears block will be the same way when you vote it down. It will be great having that big hole there for another ten years.
Last one to leave the riverfront please turn off the lights.
Diane,
What town does she live in, I may be interested.
I should say interested in the town, not your sister – I’m married.
Heh heh. So is she. 😉
“So many of you were against the Kellar Branch Walking and Biking trail”
Whose against the biking trail? CJ isn’t. I’m not. I don’t know too many people who are really against the trail. What they are against is removing the rail line to build it. It is unnecessary to remove the rail line.
BUILD THE TRAIL… NEXT TO THE RAIL. What is so hard to understand about that?
Why must you persist in this ‘their (my) way’ or nothing mindset.
It is the same with the museum. You want a river exhibit? Sure, no problem. IHSA exhibit? No problem. Versatile exhibit space? YES, great. IMAX. Sure why not. Planetarium? Absolutely. Green architecture. That is the thing to do these days. All of these great ideas and MORE can fit in a design space that supports and reflects the New Urbanist principles laid out in the Heart of Peoria plan.
What is so hard about that?
Diane, I think Karrie Alms answered your question: “build a better block”
Peoriafan, I would love the see the trail and I am a big advocate for building the trail next to the rail, not running businesses out of town.
Speaking of progressive towns, Madison, WI is one who embraces new urbanism, and they figured out how to do just that. My photos have gone missing, but the text still tells the story of “the missing link”
http://peoriaillinoisan.blogpeoria.com/2007/10/31/the-missing-link/
This is not the right plan nor the right time for it.
We need to make sure people want to LIVE here before we worry about who is going to VISIT here!
I am all for museums as long as they provide an intellectual, artistic, or inquiry-based experienced, not Disney-like or gimmicky displays. Unfortunately, I believe this plan leans toward the latter, especially with “The Street.” As for the IHSA exhibit. How is that appropriate for a Peoria museum? If you want to learn more about high school sports, join the team or attend sports events in your area. Going to a museum to learn about sports is truly an odd concept. They are being played live in your own neighborhood right now.
And the timing? How are the thousands who have just lost their jobs – or who are among the many underemployed in our area – going to enjoy this “experience?” We have failing schools and falling infrastructure. I’ve said this ten times before, but we need to address those issues first.
I agree with CJ that a Cat museum would be wonderful for our community and for Yellow. They should build it despite the failed museum plans. I also feel this block could be more successful if it incorporated wildlife habitat, residential space, and retail space.
I’ll vote for tax increase. I’d go for an even larger one than proposed. No problem. As long as it is designated for investment in schools and older neighborhoods. Once people want to live and pay taxes here, we will have the money for an even better museum project.
Diane’s sister said: “everyone has crappy roads and sidewalks”…. Then again, she lives in a very progressive area with a lot of top notch amenities.
Really? She has crappy sidewalks and roads AND a lot of top notch amenities?
Diane,
I was not privy to the conversation you had with your sister, however………
If your post was any indication of the conversation you had with your sister, it sounds like you might have left ‘a little’ information out? If she really does “peruse” THIS blog, then she should have some idea of why people oppose this particular museum project. Don’t you think?
Still wanting to know why CAT will not build the V Center without the museum tagging along…….. Anyone?
Well if we are sharing anecdotal evidence…Bean Counter’s Dad: “Hey what were those Block signs about?” “They are trying to raise the sales tax a quarter percent to move the museum 5 miles south.” “Isn’t your sales tax already 10%” (Dad only makes HRA purchases in Peoria and I swear he comments on it every time) “Actually in some spots it is 11% now.” “Huh? Who would want to do that?
I have commented on this before, so……… I will do it again, especially after this ‘outsourcing’ scandal.
Does the sales tax apply to purchases made within the city limits of Peoria only, or is it a tax that applies to businesses across Peoria County? Just want to make sure.
I guess my point is what, if any, benefit do all the small towns in Peoria County [outside of the city-limits] stand to gain from this wonderful stimulus package called the PRM?
Excuse my errors.
Thanks, Karrie–April 14 is the other election that I have on my mind–the election of PFT President and Vice-President for which Jeff and Hedy are running.
Tulip’s “Once people want to live and pay taxes here, we will have the money for an even better museum project.”
This is certainly the truth. Like District 150 who looks to miracle programs to draw people back to the city/and or its schools, the city is looking to the museusm to draw visitors, etc. The violence at Peoria’s special downtown occasions over the last year or so has proven that they will have to do more than build a museum to make the downtown area an attraction for out-of-towners or residents. Let’s solve the real problems first.
yeah, Diane, telling your sister that folks are against this only because of the sales tax issue is burying the lede. some folks — me included — had problems with a single-use museum block long before public financing was an issue.
Perhaps CAT’s strings were more of a carrot than a stick? Maybe they wanted to encourage civic leaders to get their act together and work cooperatively in order to reap the benefit offered. Also, perhaps they did not want to erect a visitor center next to vacant land which is unsightly and/or they wanted some control over what would be built next to the visitor center. I wonder if CAT is really banking on the “NO” vote. I cannot imagine CAT wishes to provide these funds now, given the downturn the company is experiencing and the personnel cutbacks it has had to make. Employees with 10 to 20 years of experience are worried about losing their jobs. Who is going to be left that can afford to go to the IMAX?
I love Madison, Wisconsin but I don’t think it is as simple as whether Peoria embraces New Urbanism, it is about the population of people that live within the City of Peoria. Vary different lot than Madison, Wisconsin.
Tulip – all I can stay to you is DITTO. Well said. First things, first. Peoria needs to become an attractive place to live, by improving its schools, housing stock and infrastructure and the upscale amenities will naturally follow.
“Maybe they [CAT] wanted to encourage civic leaders to get their act together and work cooperatively…”
Frustrated makes an excellent point.
This sounds familiar though……..
I think with all of the hoop-la that has surrounded this project lately, many of us have forgotten who, in my opinion, started this ‘ball’ rolling. Does anyone remember a guy named Ray LaHood? I believe that he initiated this project to get the members of the current ‘coop’ together and ‘play nice’. Something about not enough funding to go round….?
Somehow, since then, Lakeview and Company took the lead and made a general mess of things…….
I’ll post my plan for the block when someone answers the question: If the museum is such a great idea, will draw hundreds of thousands of people and be profitable beyond all our wildest dreams, why aren’t people lined up around the block (pun intended) with their checkbooks open instead of having to beat the money out of the taxpayers? But then again, I’ve already posted what I would do with it a long time ago, but obviously no one listened. Huh, that sounds familiar.
I’m waiting for the answer to that question also, Kevin.
That’s an answer that never quite comes though.
Another question: How much are they going to charge to get in? I thought maybe that would be a key to any future financial projections, but what do I know.
mazr: No answer because the ticket study has not been conducted until after the project is completed.
Chef: If you would be so kind as to please send your idea to nomuseumtax@yahoo.com as we are collecting ideas.
No line might be due to people do not want to become a ‘blockhead’ per the BTB advertising campaign and pay their own $?
This project does not ‘sing to the hearts of the people’ because if it did, the project would have already been built.
And at today’s press conference, Senate Koehler as reported at PJS is going to try and beat some more money out of taxpayers — $4M from the feds and another $10M at the state to help close the $11M private shortfall. Eh gads — more public money as I stated at tonight’s town hall meeting. So much for the private $ coming through. Somehow this type of canvasing for public money is acceptable and desirable to the museum group. This project is becoming more unfathomable by the day.
Please vote NO.
The Peoria Civic Center, with its “temporary” HRA tax, has priced me out of their attractions with the philosophy of providing better entertainment which will entice more money out of area wallets. I’d love to take my daughter to the symphony or the ballet, but find that the price is just too steep.
So we’re looking at taxing in order to bring another amenity to the downtown area that will price itself above what the average resident will want to pay.
Those unemployment checks really aren’t stretching as far as they used to.
Caterpillar’s commitment to this community has resulted, lately, in outsourcing jobs and hacking and slashing payroll with great zeal. There are many of us in this area who just don’t know where we’ll be when the unemployment checks run out. There are no jobs in this area with comparable salaries and benefits to the ones that were eliminated. The tax base will erode as the exodus begins.
While you are voting to block the Block, you may want to not vote for Ardis (just in case the Block passes) it is time to put some conditions on his re-election. If he is re-elected AND the Block passes…
Karrie,
Will this sales tax be a county-wide sales tax? You probably posted this somewhere. I probably even read it, but I want to make sure.
Again, why would Peoria County voters [outside Peoria City Limits] want to vote for this ‘museum’ tax?
CJ, something is bothering me about your premise that families will not be able to afford museum visits. Suppose this referendum were on the ballot, but that the project incorporated strict New Urbanism principles in its design, included a residential component AND followed earlier recommendations made by the Heart of Peoria Commission. If in fact that were the case, would you still be raising the issue of whether a family could afford to pay the tax AND visit the museum?? Wouldn’t you likely be supporting the referendum?
And if the answer is yes, isn’t it a tad disingenuous, with the project in its current iteration, to raise issues like the admission cost? You’re just basically “piling on” with every argument you can muster to prompt on-the-fence voters to vote no. I suspect the cost issue wouldn’t be a factor if this project had taken the form you have long advocated.
Good question, Steve J. It’s difficult to deal with hypothetical situations by their very nature, but I’ll give it a shot. Let’s suppose, as you say, the block were being developed as proposed in the HOP Plan. If part of making that plan happen involved a $40 million sales tax referendum, I would need to know what the money is going toward. If it were going toward public infrastructure — streets, sidewalks, things that everyone can use, I would support it. If it were going toward building a private condominium or apartment complex, I would not support it. Does that help?