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Upcoming MBBA Events
Movers & Shakers
Thursday, Novebmer 19
5-7pm
Bennigans at the Hilton
Next Monthly
Membership Meeting
Thursday, December 10
7:30 am
Red Cross Building
1045 Outer Park Drive
Board Elections
By-laws Changes
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Shop Local
on MacArthur!
Please patronize our member businesses:
MBBA Member Directory
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Missed the meeting?
Here's the scoop! |
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MBBA
2010 Board Elections
Julie Dirksen, Sharon Whalen and Glenn Yannow, MBBA's
nominating committee, are taking nominations for the MBBA Board of Directors
for the coming year. Current board
members Cory Jobe, David Farrell, Dave Saner and Carol Kneedler will be on the
slate. Please contact Julie, Sharon or
Glenn for nominations. The full slate of
nominees and possible changes to the by-laws will be distributed via email for
elections at the December meeting on Thursday, December 10. In 2010, the MBBA will become a 503(c) 8
organization and become independent from the Springfield Chamber.
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MacArthur Boulevard Redevelopment Study & Planning Project
Update
Jen Dillman, Sangamon County Board
Jen
reported that the Steering Committee, led by Sangamon County Planning
Commission, reviewed over 20 proposals from all over the US and have narrowed the list to
8 consultants. The committee will interview the 8
finalists and make their choice in 3 weeks.
The study includes public input by business and property owners and
residents of the MacArthur area. Jen emphasized that the committee & consultants will actively work to get
public input and to communicate progress on the project.
The plan will address streetscape, zoning, possible
financial incentives such as a TIF district, pedestrian access, retail &
residential needs, and traffic planning. It will also outline the next steps needed to
implement the plan and identify possible funding sources. The project will begin in January and end in the fall of 2010.
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MacArthur Extension
Project Update
Guest
Speaker John Sestak, IDOT
The wet weather has caused delays in completing the
extension, and crews are now working evenings.
With several weeks of dry and above-freezing weather, paving could be
completed by the end of November. Electrical and guard rail work continue. With luck, the extension could open
by mid-December.
The potential for
increased traffic was discussed, with a generally positive outlook from
business owners but some concern about the ability of the current MacArthur
infrastructure to handle a large increase in traffic. According to Sestak, the Boulevard was
resurfaced 5 years ago, but really needs to be torn out and replaced with new
drainage, curbs & gutters. While the
new extension will have "interconnect" to synchronize traffic lights to the
flow of traffic, the current MacArthur
Boulevard does not.
If the extension results in heavy traffic on
MacArthur, then the current MacArthur
Boulevard could receive more attention to address
these problems. As a state route, the Boulevard is under
control of IDOT, with a maintenance agreement by the city of Springfield.
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MBBA
Member & Business Survey
If you haven't already completed an MBBA Member & Business survey, please complete one now at www.ShopOnMacArthur.com, or call Carol at 217-528-9803 to get a
paper copy.
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ShopOnMacArthur.com
website update planned
The MBBA website will receive a reorganization and
updated contents soon. Please send
website content suggestions or MBBA Member Directory updates to info@ShopOnMacArthur.com
or call Carol Kneedler at 217-528-9803.
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MacArthur
Area Notes
There has been roof work and other activity at the Kerasotes property near MacArthur and South Grand. Details aren't publicly available, but the MBBA is
cautiously optimistic that something positive, if not immediate, will happen
there.
Board member David Farrell reported the mattresses and tires were gone from
behind the old K-Mart building
(thank you Jen Dillman!), but more work is needed to address the graffiti
there. Springfield Alderman Debbie Cimmarossa mentioned the
possibility of changes to Springfield City ordinances to address vacant business buildings and
non-local business property owners.
The previous Amoco
station at South Grand and MacArthur has had a dumpster lately, and the
street address has been added to the building.
We hope there's something good going on there! If you know any details, please let us know.
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