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Kill this “epic waste”

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* Let’s circle back to this idea of building a new park next to the governor’s mansion…

“I didn’t realize it was this hard to give away money, that’s what we are trying to do, and every time we turn around there is some new obstacle or objection,” said [Don Tracy], who also works as Rauner’s Illinois Gaming Board chairman. “But that’s Springfield, and that’s Illinois.”

Oh, for crying out loud…

[Springfield] spent more than $2 million to buy the land from the state and tear down an empty building. It’ll also be on the hook for millions in related infrastructure costs, and work has already begun on the site to build underground water retention tanks to alleviate flooding.

Local taxpayers are gonna pay through the nose for this boondoggle. Water and electric costs alone are projected to be $20,000 a month. And the governor gets an unquestioned veto on any buildings that might go up, which is really odd.

* From Springfield’s 2017 RFP…

The ideal proposal will create a street-level downtown event center and urban square, which includes interactive plaza space.

Instead, we get a park.

* SJ-R editorial…

Likewise, we see the idea of using the space solely as a park as an epic waste of a rare opportunity to develop an entire city block and squander the city’s chances to rejuvenate downtown. A mixed-use development that includes commercial, retail and residential units — and could still include some green space for programming and events — will help create the hip urban environment other capital cities enjoy but Springfield has yet to replicate. […]

We’re not alone in our concern over this project: Downtown Springfield Inc. also is asking for a tax-generating development for the land. If we should trust anyone’s opinion on this, it should be the downtown business owners who know better than anyone what that area needs to thrive. As DSI Executive Director Lisa Clemmons Stott succinctly noted last week: Downtown needs more hustle and bustle, not an oasis.

I dunno if Springfield could ever be hip, but it’s worth a try. And Stott is absolutely right about downtown needing some hustle and bustle.

* Another SJ-R editorial…

Instead of sticking with the park proposal, which has failed to generate any visible show of public support, Langfelder should re-examine the current state of affairs. Much has changed since the request for proposal was sent out a year ago for this project — namely, Illinois has a state budget. The two-year budget impasse handcuffed higher education institutions from making any type of plans beyond just survival. That’s not the case now. And since the progress on the block has been minimal (necessary sewer work has begun on the land), why not revisit the idea of bringing higher ed to downtown? There’s even a specific idea — Southern Illinois University has expressed interest in locating a branch of its law school in Springfield. […]

Why not partner with a private developer to create the classroom space SIU is looking for? Including housing (not dorms) that would appeal to law or graduate students who need easy access to the Capitol. Throw in a coffee shop, grocery or convenience store, and a few restaurants so residents don’t have to go far to get essentials. The restaurants would also appeal to others who already work or live downtown, and perhaps tourists as they depart visits from the renovated Executive Mansion. The public plaza area also would attract tourists and residents alike.

That would check every box the city said it wanted for this area.

I always try to stay out of Springfield politics. I live here. I don’t need the aggravation.

But now we’ve got some prominent state actors strong-arming the locals into approving an idea that the public and local community leaders clearly don’t want. And then Chairman Tracy insults everyone by saying he’s trying to do us all a big favor.

Springfield needs to generate more revenues, not spend more. If Tracy and Rauner want their park so much, they should buy the land, reimburse the city for sunken costs and take it over themselves permanently. Otherwise, they need to back the heck off.

/rant

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 11:43 am

Comments

–But now we’ve got some prominent state actors strong-arming the locals into approving an idea that the public and local community leaders clearly don’t want. And then Chairman Tracy insults everyone by saying he’s trying to do us all a big favor.–

So it was “shakin’ down Springfield?”

Now it makes sense.

Rauner was good at that in the private sector.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 11:48 am
“If Tracy and Rauner want their park so much, they should buy the land, reimburse the city for sunken costs and take it over themselves permanently. Otherwise, they need to back the heck off. ”

Agree (banned punctuation). Rauner couldn’t put his name on the Governor’s Mansion (and I’m sure he and Dr. Rauner would love to do that- i.e. Rauner Library at Dartmouth, Rauner Family YMCA, Rauner College Prep), but that park could be his lasting legacy in Springfield. /S

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 11:55 am
Too bad there is bank and a rail overpass blocking the view to the Statehouse. If those were not there the lot would be a great place for a view of the entire statehouse complex. As such, I’m not sure what could go there that would bring foot traffic.

Springfield tried the urban park concept in the area across from the ALPLM and at least too me, that area does not see a lot of use.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 11:58 am
With all the drama at the Gaming Board, maybe Tracy should be focusing on that rather than the silly park.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:01 pm
===I dunno if Springfield could ever be hip===

LOL. It cannot.

Comment by Boone’s is Back Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:01 pm
If Rauner wants to put his name on something as a legacy, how about the underground storm water basins being installed on this property, it reflects his polling and accomplishments.

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:04 pm
If Rauner is so “pro-business,” wouldn’t it have been more appropriate for him to support the block being sold to private developers?

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:05 pm
I’m out of cash right now, but somebody please send Rauner and Tracy Jane Jacob’s Death and Life of Great American Cities. Lonely empty places do nothing for the vitality of a city. People need a place to go to. Outside cafes, coffee shops, grocery stores, etc.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:05 pm
All of those fountains and pools will make great public bathing facilities for the less fortunate during those bucolic summer evenings. The Municipal Building fountain is reserved for those doing their wash. I’m not denigrating the downtrodden, but this idea is insane.

Comment by Wylie Coyote Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:12 pm
Well rich, you forget these guys think just being in the state is a huge favor.

Comment by Union thug Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:12 pm
A downtown baseball stadium would be incredible. It brings people and revenue downtown and Springfield has always been a baseball town.

The stadium in Peoria should be the blueprint.

Comment by So_Ill Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:19 pm
Bring the Springfield Sliders downtown! Think of the positive impact on dt businesses from the increased foot traffic of people of all ages. Restaurants, food trucks, ice cream shops, and bars would equally profit.

Comment by Dr. M Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:26 pm
Springfield has a long grand tradition of making terrible decisions about downtown. Just go to any parking lot and read the plaque informing tourists what historic building used to be there. I’ve been told that back in the 60s when Sangamon State was being planned they wanted it downtown but the city fathers refused because they didn’t want a bunch of unwashed hippies ruining the area. We now have over 5,000 students out among the corn fields.

Comment by Past the Rule of 85 Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:28 pm
“And the governor gets an unquestioned veto on any buildings that might go up, which is really odd.”

It’s his sense of vindictiveness. He still hasn’t forgiven Springfield for not backing him in the 2014 primary. This is just one petty way he can eke his revenge.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:32 pm
I don’t think it will happen, but I’m all for a ballpark that would be shared use for the high schools, UIS, Lincoln Land, Sliders, etc.

Make the diamond face the mansion so long homers could be “mansion shots” and block off Jackson Street during games and have some kind of entertainment/event, etc.

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:33 pm
Springfield definitely needs the revenue. It seems like every week on the news that Springfield is seeking to increase one tax or another. And the streets are just atrocious in many areas of the city. A tourist could lose a wheel just trying to visit Rauner’s folly.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:37 pm
===the city fathers refused because they didn’t want a bunch of unwashed hippies===

True. At the time, there was plenty of campus unrest, but that decision doomed Springfield’s downtown. We could’ve been a mini Madison.

When the university went to four years, city leaders didn’t try to bring the expanded campus downtown. Another stupid mistake.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:43 pm
=All of those fountains and pools will make great public bathing facilities for the less fortunate during those bucolic summer evenings. The Municipal Building fountain is reserved for those doing their wash. I’m not denigrating the downtrodden, but this idea is insane.=

That won’t work because negelcted Lake Springfield nearly runs out of water every other year. Because of deferred dredging, the City is on water restrictions occasionally which causes the Municipal Building fountain to be dry-docked.

Comment by This'll get blocked for sure Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:45 pm
All these development ideas are swell, except for one thing. You need a developer/investor in order to do those things. The City, State, does not develop. They do not “bring in” private services and business.

The real issue is that downtown Springfield is dead, and will remain dead. (Rich is right on with the failure of moving the university in town). I have run the numbers on this property (or lack there of), and it will NEVER happen. Not enough foot traffic, not enough car traffic, and generally a lack of people (customers). Also no supporting services in the area to compliment a new commercial development.

So, keep bashing Rauner and his guy on this one, but a park or a littered empty lot is the best that property will ever be.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:51 pm
Welcome to the resistance, Rich.

Also, this is brilliant: “Springfield has a long grand tradition of making terrible decisions about downtown. Just go to any parking lot and read the plaque informing tourists what historic building used to be there.” Thanks, Past the Rule of 85

Comment by Dan Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:55 pm
@Past the Rule of 85 is correct.

Placing UIS (then Sangamon State) out in the sticks was a really bad decision — and downtown Springfield is paying the price.

The central business district is a ghost town when the legislature isn’t in session. Downtown Springfield needs to draw people — adding another open space won’t do it, no matter how nice the landscaping is. More Obed and Isaacs and fewer empty lots, please.

Comment by BC Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 12:57 pm
===The real issue is that downtown Springfield is dead, and will remain dead===

Champaign’s downtown was truly dead. I mean it was empty. Not any more. Today, it’s booming. We are not Champaign, but things can change. Also, an SIU law school campus would be super sweet.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:08 pm
the only thing the Rauner-Tracy project is missing in its quest to win the coveted “most out of touch” title is Bishop Paprocki’s input and a Tesla charging station.

Or Don Tracy showing off his progressive bonafides but announcing the park will be a Pokemon Go site

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:08 pm
“Champaign’s downtown was truly dead. I mean it was empty. Not any more.”

Rich you are right, but it has the school. I was blown away by the transformation of downtown Champaign, it is beautiful. We can only hope Springfield could achieve some of that type of development, it would be awesome.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:21 pm
Baseball bin berry berry gud idea. Adequate after hours parking at 4th and Capitol. Use it for High School, College and semi-pro. Even if only a couple of hundred show up that’s more than is ever downtown after 6pm.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:23 pm
Can still use it for ice skating in the winter and maybe a couple of out door Jr.Blues games. Or set up a Curling court.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:26 pm
– I’ve been told that back in the 60s when Sangamon State was being planned they wanted it downtown but the city fathers refused because they didn’t want a bunch of unwashed hippies ruining the area.–

Terrible decision. What could have been….

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:30 pm
Rauner is a true gift to all of the people of Illinois. Just ask him.

Comment by Anon35 Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:32 pm
===Also, an SIU law school campus would be super sweet.===

It would be, and it would also sort of make up for the stupidity of forcing SSU/UIS to locate in the middle of nowhere.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:36 pm
While a ball park is interesting is a mixed use structure with a new downtown Y included. This fulfills a “promise” to build a new downtown facility that was made by the urban sprawl crowd pitched the New Berlin complex. The Y means more people 7 days a week. Toss in space for apartments and SIU classrooms and bingo.
Why not take Chairman Don’s brainstorm and just make it a parking lot painted blue…not annual costs.

Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:39 pm
===Champaign’s downtown was truly dead.===

Rich makes a good point about Champaign. It was dead and could serve as a model for Springfield if there is going to be any comparisons made.

Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:44 pm
Springfield’s long history of making bad choices continue to this day.

Drive down the MacArthur Blvd past South Grand, other than Hyvee, it has become loan shark and gaming places. Town & Country shopping center is down to a shell of what it once was. And yet, there have been at least three new strip malls built in the last year.

And that is nothing to say about White Oaks Mall following the trend of closing store after store.

It is called Springpatch for a reason.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:48 pm
===And that is nothing to say about White Oaks Mall following the trend of closing store after store.===

I was just there. I don’t go that often, but it looked full to me.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:49 pm
Champaign had an influx of foreign capital and 40k students to support business.

Springfield needs to model Bettendorf or Davenport in terms of mini-walkable downtowns.

Comment by Ole General Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:51 pm
===40k students to support business===

If you’ve spent any time in Champaign, you’d know it’s not a student hangout place. That’s Urbana. Champaign is for adults and it ain’t cheap, either.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:52 pm
…But, yeah, keep going on and on about why something can’t be done. So tiring. So Springfield.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:52 pm
The previous posters have made some good observations. The downtown needs to be thinking about drawing visitors and increasing revenue.
Rauner was willing to contribute a million dollars for this park. Once he’s gone I guess he wants to be remembered for something other than his poor job as Governor.

Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:53 pm
The fountains look nice, and would BE nice… for a while… but historically, the city doesn’t do well holding up the maintenance and operation of water features like this, for many reasons. Dead fountains look pathetic. And that’s what will eventually happen. The urban core needs more mixed-use places that offer affordable living spaces downtown along with basic shopping resources and culture/ nightlife besides bars, bars and yet more bars.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 1:55 pm
All of this money Rauner is trying so hard to give away will evaporate when he loses the election in November and flees to Spain.

Comment by PDJT Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:01 pm
Unbelievably smug. How dare we not realize the brilliance of this “gift”? He is the only one who wants it. It has great downside potential. Bettin’ On ‘em, don’t make ‘em win.

Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:04 pm
“The fountains look nice, and would BE nice… for a while…” –

The outdoor fountains were the first things ordered shut down at the Quincy Vets Home because of their potential to spread legionnella.

Maybe this isn’t a gift afterall …

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:09 pm
But what about the Springfield casino? /s

Comment by d.p.gumby Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:10 pm
===and flees to Spain===

Italy.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:15 pm
What about a Springfield Monorail?

Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:16 pm
Rich I walk at White Oaks ever day. Right now there are at least 12 empty stores including three that closed last week (AT&T, Bare Minerals and Things Remembered).

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:17 pm
Also Rich, the White Oaks food court is down to three places. Also, there are at least three stores at White Oaks who are now open Thursday-Sunday only. The place is hurting.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:20 pm
Some hopefully useful resources for downtown (re)development, for any interested party:

The Congress for the New Urbanism and CNU Illinois

Project for Public Spaces

Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:25 pm
Oh, I should have remembered that . . . the boot.

Comment by PDJT Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:31 pm
I’d love to see some mixed use or residential units go up there, bring some life downtown. Let’s face it — a park is useful at most 6 weeks of the year. The rest of the time it’s too hot, too cold or too something else to use.

Springfield could do lots of things, including everything that everyone has already mentioned. The big problem as I see it? The typical Springfieldian likes their low cost of living and would rather Springfield stay dead than cost them another nickel of taxes for something nice.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:31 pm
Interesting that the commenters here have put forward more, and better ideas than anything coming out of City Hall. I do suspect the Boy Mayor’s support for the park is based on the fact that the City is flat broke and doesn’t have dough to contribute to a bigger project.

The success in Champaign was in no small part due to the mix of residential, hotel, restaurants/bars, and small retail that came together over time. Springfield has a decent measure of each downtown, but a lot of what we have is well, tired. Having a fresh mixed-use block could well incent other businesses to spruce up a bit, particularly if traffic picks up. I personally find the SIU law school idea interesting, but can the money be found?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 2:56 pm
Look if the lil Mayor wants to get people downtown all he has to do is this:

At 4:45 p.m. every week day, tap a keg of green beer in the middle of the vacant field. Charge a cover. Shut it down after a couple hours and watch them flock to the restaurants and bars to keep going.

C’mon people. It’s Springfield. Cheap colored beer draws em downtown more than anything else. On Tuesdays double the cover and throw beads at them.

It’s a proven formula for success.

As far as the governor’s legacy, erect a row of port-a-potties along Jackson and dub it the “Gov. Bruce Rauner Fountains and Park.”

Done.

Next issue?

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 3:39 pm
When I was elected Champaign in 2011 had literally zero dollars allocated for road repairs, police/fire/public works were all understaffed, the city was closing the front desk at the police station and was about to line-item out funding for the local arts council and we had a huge hole with a “for sale” sign in the middle of downtown where a Hyatt now stands…not only are you all salivating over our downtown, all city services are fully funded, we have a Class 1 Fire Department and Champaign is paying AHEAD on pension obligations.

Comment by Don Gerard Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 3:52 pm
A better model to copy than downtown Champaign might be Uptown Normal. It was a dump 20 years ago. Beautiful now.

I know it’s steps from the ISU campus — an advantage Springfield doesn’t have — but man, they did it right there.

Normal combined some housing, a hotel, bars, restaurants, and retail and anchored it around a mass transit Amtrak/bus station. The Springfield site is just a block from the Amtrak line…maybe bring that into play?

Comment by BC Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 3:53 pm
BC brings up a good point, the train stations in Normal and Champaign/Urbana have been used as development hubs. They look rather nice and appear to be utilized.

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 4:00 pm
Here’s a look at one of the first proposals that was rejected:
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20160504/development-focus-for-ywca-block-is-on-apartments-retail-green-space

Comment by DSI vet Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 4:02 pm
I don’t care about the outcome, but let’s discuss the facts:
- the City bought the Y block in 2015 for $1.5M. The City overpaid. Now it’s worth btw $300k-$500k.
- every development proposal has required millions in TIF. The mixed use development required $17M in TIF, far more than the property would ever generate in real estate taxes, even over 50 years.
- if SIU law wants to move to SPI, great. We can direct them to a dozen empty buildings and a dozen parking lots which could be redeveloped.
- there is only one park in downtown SPI, centennial park, most of the downtown is asphalt.
- forget retail. Amazon is taking over. There is high retail vacancy all over Springfield, including on the west side.
- forget office space. Who is moving to SPI?
- Washington Park and Lincoln park increase the land value of the adjacent properties. Parks do that. Washington Park and Lincoln Park have high use. I have never seen a homeless person in either.
- research downtown residential and commercial rent. It’s super low. It doesn’t support new construction. Landlords are givIng away space (see the pop-up shops)

Sorry to be a downer

Comment by Native Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 5:27 pm
A law school makes way to much sense to ever happen. It would be the perfect use of the property and hey this is the state capital after all, where the sausage is made and interpreted. A law school here is long overdue.

Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 6:34 pm
Except Illinois has too many law schools and too many lawyers.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 8:22 pm
Native (and others on this post): Yes, the rents on any apartments there would not support the construction costs. Springfield isn’t Chicago or Seattle. A city subsidy is standard in any downtown revitalization project in most of the Midwest. What is this weird aversion to using TIF money for this project? That’s what it’s for. You use it to revitalize your urban core. The situation would have been helped if the city had not so shortsightedly torn down the YWCA, but that’s the kind of lack of vision you get from Springfield City Hall.

The parks you mention are surrounded by people. Washington Park is one place Springfield residents actually will walk to. Downtown housing is spotty, at best. People, then a park.

It’s so maddening that officials in Springfield can’t take Amtrak an hour up to Normal or drive 90 minutes to Champaign to see how this is done. The total lack of vision is one reason why non-natives leave.

Comment by Chris Wetterich Wednesday, Apr 4, 18 @ 8:54 pm
Rich, when was the last time you were in Downtown Champaign for some nightlife?

When students are in town, they do indeed go to downtown Champaign. That’s where many of the best bars are, along with restaurants and retail. Downtown Urbana does not have nearly as much going on.

Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 2:46 am