Pantagraph.com | News | Bloomington to have meeting on downtown redevelopment plan

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

the_red wrote on Jun 30, 2008 3:14 PM:

" To Voice of Bloomington:
You are correct that the money for the plan comes from the TIF program. The problem is, if the TIF program goes away, the schools to do not actually realize all of that money. Every year the State looks at the local funding each school is recieving and then doles out State money to them based on need. If District 87 suddenly realized the new money from TIF, the State would reduce funding to them. Estimates say District 87 would see about 30% of the money.

So then the question becomes "How do we help the downtown and District 87 at the same time? "

the_red wrote on Jun 30, 2008 3:10 PM:

" To The Blue One:
I am hugely in favor of using local resources, but in this instance, can you give me an example of a local firm that has the experience to help with the downtown? Seems to me that all any of the local development companies want to do is pave over perfectly good farmland and put up more of those incredibly attractive strip malls. "

the_red wrote on Jun 30, 2008 3:07 PM:

" To Downtown Business Owner:
I think your idea is great also, but I don't think parking alone will fix the downtown. One of the things I hate is all of the ugly surface parking throughout the downtown area that is never used. It breaks up the flow of buildings, and if you are window shopping, in some places there is suddenly a block-long gap with no stores. If we can fill them in with viable businesses, it will make the entire downtown more attractive to shoppers.

But I do think the progressive parking system idea is great! "

the_red wrote on Jun 30, 2008 3:04 PM:

" To Tomsgal: I think your idea is great, but it can't be forced on property owners - that is called Communism. To be fair, rents are less expensive in downtown than out on Veterans Parkway. If your business depends on a retail storefront, you have to try and place it where people will be, and Veterans is really, really expensive. "

Voice of Bloomington wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:11 PM:

" The $200k comes from the TIF that expires in 2009. Thank God the TIF will finally expire and the TIF money will go to the school district where it belongs. "

snarky wrote on Jun 28, 2008 8:09 PM:

" Let's tear down the Roachman instead, since it's already partly torn down. With all that harmful asbestos in the air, we'll need that $200,000 to pay for all the mesotheloma cases that are sure to pop up. "

Lurg86 wrote on Jun 28, 2008 4:19 PM:

" To Charlamagne: What are you calling potential? The Castle Theatre? The Champion Federal Building? Lets not forget the Coliseum and the Consistory. All that money wasted and all that debt and we still have to pay someone from Chicago to tell the people of Bloomington what they need? Where do you see potential in any of that Charlamagne? I see it as throwing good money after bad. The downtown has been dead since K-Mart opened it's doors in 1963. Free parking was what everyone wanted and then came Eastland Mall and downtown died. It will never be anything more than a few greedy landlords who are putting the squeeze to the foolhardy business owners who think there is something still there. Let's put our money where it is needed, like in streets and a modern sewer system so when a hard rain comes; the streets aren't backed up with water for blocks. "

The Blue One wrote on Jun 28, 2008 4:09 PM:

" I am a downtown business owner and while I'm very glad the City is looking into another round of improvements/redevelopments, I also am a little ticked off that it's going to take another mega-bucks "plan" developed by another Chicago-land "genius" in order to figure out what we need to do to make DT even better! Do you mean to tell me that there aren't talented people right here in Bloomington who couldn't do this "planning" without having to pay some Chicago group big bucks? We could do this job for HALF the cost---and use the savings for sidewalks--if we used Locals for planning. There out to be a 5 year BAN on "hiring consultants" with offices outside of McLean County. We got everything we need right here at home, folks! "

Downtown Business Owner wrote on Jun 28, 2008 11:50 AM:

" I must disagree with some, and say that Downtown Bloomington can be successful for business. I have had my business Downtown now for over 35 years, and I would say that I have been somewhat successful. (I started my business in 1973.) However, I don't believe that this study is necessary. The answer is simply for success in Downtown Bloomington. Eliminate the all day parker. And this can be easily done, by instituting progessive parking tickets. Other cities of our size have done it, and it works. This should be the first thing done before any money is spent on another study. Once the all day parker is gone, I think Downtown Bloomington on it's own would florish. Then we would see more retail stores locate here, with the added abundance of parking. Why the city officials can't understand this concept is beyond me? "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:51 AM:

" Not in my town- no recession, that is. It seems we always have money to burn... "

mel wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:46 AM:

" I am at a lost as to how to properly express my complete and utter contempt for our City Council. Our last ten-year plan is ten years old, so of course we now need to buy a new ten-year plan. Even the Soviet Union could only delude itself into five-year plans. But what the heck, it's other peoples' money so there's no need to be responsible. "

Charlemagne wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:43 AM:

" Uptown is successful. Lots of PRIVATE developments, other towns come here for an example of how do it it right. Some toes were stepped on, unfortunately, but that is the cost of progress. Downtown Bloomington is different than Uptown Normal, a lot more history, so the same strategy that Uptown did would not work in Downtown. I am proud of both towns for their effort to renew the core of their towns. It would be an embarrassment if they didn't and let a historic section of our city fall apart. Redevelopment is the key to a successful city, rather than just having urban sprawl which Bloomington is falling victim to. "

BigBrother wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:40 AM:

" Any council member that votes to spend any more money on downtowm before the streets, sewers and water mains in thier own Districts is funded needs to be voted off the council. Take a walk if you dare any direction 3 blocks from downtown and see the sidewalks and streets in need of repair. Then pick any District and take the alderman for a ride up and down every street in that District. Lets stop the insanity and do something for the citizens of Bloomington and not just a handful of rental property owners downtown. "

Venture Bros. wrote on Jun 28, 2008 9:17 AM:

" Downtown is dead. get over it and move on. And to those who wonder why a new business cant succeed downtown ,remember this maxim : Never Underestimate the Other Guys Greed ! "

Interested Party wrote on Jun 28, 2008 8:23 AM:

" Hate to say it folks, but DT Bloomington is filled with trinket shops. Many of these would be fine in a community with many tourists (I know B-N gets tourists, but they're mainly here for athletic tournaments, they don't buy the stuff sold in DT retail). "

Geez! wrote on Jun 28, 2008 8:19 AM:

" Charl - The Town of Normal wasn't "successful". They changed the name to "Uptown Normal" so they could *feel* better than everyone else as they snub their snooty and uppity noses at us. They basically stole the business properties that were there via eminent domain and did what they wanted, thus ensuring a complete backlash from the Town and sealing their own fate when it comes to the next election. None of these selfish bozos will be in office.

Did you know they also wanted to put in a million-dollar plus fountain? Yeah, money well spent, I'm sure. "

Tomsgal wrote on Jun 28, 2008 7:17 AM:

" It doesn't take $200,000 to tell you that retail businesses cannot start up paying the rents that the downtown building owners are asking. If they would use an incentive-based schedule where the rent is lower the first year and then increases on a 5 yr or 10 yr sliding scale then start-up businesses might stand a chance. I personally would love to open my own business and love the downtown area, but a retail store cannot make it in today's economy with rents upwards of $1200/mo. Until a business has an established clientele, it cannot pay that kind of overhead, not to mention utilities, advertising, etc. They need to take a lesson from the Riverfront in Peoria and offer some incentives rather than being so greedy. I've watched business after business try in the last 3 yrs to make it and they've all said the rents were too high. I think the $200K could be better spent. "

loveleelady75 wrote on Jun 28, 2008 3:40 AM:

" I agree put the money on main street to fix the streets and put in meeters for parking. So is this why the Salvation Army recived a large donation to move. These people are not from here the don't know what we want. And why do you keep spending our Money "Tom" I thought Judy moved!! "

Charlemagne wrote on Jun 28, 2008 1:51 AM:

" I'm sorry folks, but if you want something nice, you have to pay for it. Downtown Bloomington has so much potential and so much history that 200K would be well spent if that is what it took to make it better. Look how successful Normal was with their downtown. I just hope action is taken after the study to improve the area and attract more shops. "

protohooman wrote on Jun 28, 2008 12:13 AM:

" Are we going to revitalize or re-develope? If we revitalize before we re-develope will we have to re-re-vitalize? If we re-develope before we revitalize we'll have to wait a while to revitalize since anything redeveloped has to reach a point of stagnation before revitalization is necessary. Now, if you think this is asnine then go to a council meeting and listen to them discuss spending another $125,000 to "study" the carcass they call downtown. "

The Cats wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:53 PM:

" The last plan was billed as a master plan. What's another $200k as long as city employees do not get laid off and continue to get their raises? While we are at it let's spend a few million more so that another group of private business owners can make money. This city government is truly amazing. What is more amazing is that we put up with it. BTW after they spend the money they will then change the accounting method so they can tell us the funds are being well spent and the enterprise is making money. as long as we allow them to do this stuff they will. Wake up citizens and vote yet another group of runaway spenders out. "

Ekim wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:15 PM:

" Are you people that stupid, blind or just don't care. The same people getting money year after year from the city. What does the city get out it? Nothing. You pay these landlords and a couple business owners to keep lining their pockets. Oh but the council greeeeeeat. "

bj wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:57 PM:

" I agree with c.a.t.s. totally "

Not so Political wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:45 PM:

" you must keep up with the jones and smith's (normal) "

Geez! wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:04 PM:

" So how many more cops will $200,000 buy instead of the "study"? "

c.a.t.s. wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:17 PM:

" there you go tom spend as much as you can before you leave..why do you think we have pushed so hard for your removal ? its your spending habits wake up ..
how about more cops and better roads before you spend anymore on downtown... "

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