BLOOMINGTON - The uptown Normal redevelopment project seems to be a hot topic once again in the Normal mayoral race. | Interactive map: Uptown Normal, then and now

Current Mayor Chris Koos and mayoral candidate Andrew Matthews gave their differing views about the project and how it relates to the rest of the town during a McLean County Republican luncheon Monday at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington.

Koos said the uptown project is part of his core philosophy: A great community doesn't just happen; you have to work at it.

"You have to put your nose to the grindstone to help the community," he said.

Rebuilding uptown is taking care of the core of the community, Koos said.

Challenger Andrew Matthews said he is not opposed to uptown, but he questions the $85 million in bond commitments for the town - which he said is the equivalent to $1,700 per Normal resident.

"Some might say they're OK with that but I say it's too much in one area," Matthews said. "We can accomplish the goals with a smaller price tag."

Matthews said the hotel/motel, food and beverage and sales tax revenue used to pay off the debt could be used for other things that are needed in town, such as the water infrastructure.

"It's pushing off the needs of water for the want of new buildings and development," he said.

But Koos said core services have been maintained. He said the town's police department is working on youth crime with a new interventionist and a resurgence of Youth Impact; the fire department is rated one of the top three in Illinois by the state's insurance services department; and the town delivers high quality water at a competitive rate.

"People tell me they can't tell the difference between Bloomington and Normal but I say you can when there's snow on the ground," Koos said referring to the town's ability to clear the streets.

Koos also pointed out the town's credit rating has gone up even in these challenging economic times.

But Matthews questioned whether the town should borrow just because a loan is available.

He notes the town has reduced its street resurfacing budget and has no plans to add police officers over the next five years, both because of the uptown spending.

He also questioned the justification of an $8,000 annual pay raise the City Council approved for the mayor and suggested it will be covered by a new fee recently supported by the City Council.

The $20 fee, proposed in the 2009-10 fiscal year budget, would be charged to anyone wanting to solicit in town. Matthews said the 200 students in Illinois State University Habitat for Humanity group would be hardest hit by the fee.

Koos said the 2009-10 fiscal year budget is "cautionary" during a time when the town is facing increased costs of doing business.