Government Update

Joe McMenamin, Alderman, Ward7

Joe met with Springfield Police and the Leasing Office Staff and Maintenance Office staff of the MacArthur Park Apartments recently. The 2-year picture is one of problems trending up, and some units are in bad shape. The owners will consider adding a clause to the lease to more easily evict problem tenants.

Joe will meet with Ward 7 residents every Tuesday evening from 7:30 to 9pm and every Saturday from 9 to 11am at South Side Christian Church, 2600 South MacArthur Boulevard, in the Resource Center room just inside the canopy entrance on the east side of the building. Meetings started in June and will continue through the summer. Hours for the fall and winter will be adjusted if needed.

This is an opportunity for Ward 7 residents to discuss concerns and issues involving their neighborhoods and City services with their representative on the City Council.

No appointments are necessary to meet at the regularly scheduled dates and times; it is first-come first-served. Ward 7 volunteers with knowledge of City government will substitute for McMenamin if he is unable to attend a scheduled meeting. Ward 7 residents can also schedule meetings at other times and dates by phoning 787-2297 or emailing joeforward7@aol.com.

Cory Jobe, Alderman, Ward 6

Cory talked about the Ward 6 Revitalization Fund, which will be officially announced July 2 in Harvard Park. The not-for-profit will have a youth initiative, chaired by Chair Nathan Piper, to focus on public art and recycling projects in Ward 6. Cory is working with other aldermen and the Springfield ICON group (Inner City, Older Neighborhoods) to update ordinances about abandoned buildings. Cory is conducting windshield tours of various problem areas in Ward 6 with the 7 neighborhood associations in that Ward, and has sent over 38 problem properties to Springfield Public Works for inspection.

Mark Mahoney,
Director of Springfield Public Works Department

Mark said that he is working on getting Public Works organized and evaluating how work gets done. He hopes Aldermen will need to receive fewer phone calls as a result of improvements in the Public Works Department, saying when Aldermen need to get involved it indicates there is a problem with the Public Works process. Mark offered as an example the nearly 400 properties now being mowed by contractors and Public Works employees - 100 city-owned and 300 privately owned properties. His office is starting to track these properties and address them in zones or areas with the goal of identifying and working toward longer-term resolution for repeat offenders. Mark offered his office phone number for problems and questions - it's 217-789-2255 - leave a message with his assistant.

Guest Speaker, Micah Bartlett,

            President and CEO, Town and Country Bank

            MacBac Committee Chair 

Micah discussed the implementation of the MacArthur Master Plan by the MacBac Committee, which has met twice and is in the process of organizing teams to address specific areas of the plan:

• Finance (Jen Dillman Chair) to research and explore funding alternatives;
• Code Changes (Jim Moll Chair) to ensure land use consistent with the plan;
• Branding / Marketing / Signage (Val Yazell Chair) for both physical and brand identity;
• Development Sites (Jim Kuhar Chair) to work with current property owners to explore different uses and/or the joining of properties;
• Streetscape (Lou Dixon Chair) to plan for parkway and other areas proposed in the Master Plan.

Micah's approach is to follow the plan as a way to focus the many ideas and vested interests on MacArthur, including Master Plan  recommendations for how the MacBac Committee and the MBBA work together. Micah mentioned MBBA's work on "private place" issues, business advocacy and interaction with businesses and residents.

Many MBBA members also serve on MacBac Committees, including President Debbie Cimarossa. The MBBA looks forward to working in cooperation with the MacBac Committee to avoid duplication of effort and ensure clear communication.

MacArthur 5th Annual Artist Market

Laurie Farrell said over 46 artists displayed at the Artist Market, and we had a good turnout of artists and shoppers on both Saturdays. Laurie thanked Midwest Family Broadcasting and Tisch Barnes for radio ads and live remote coverage of the market, including sponsors Town and Country Bank, Porters Cleaners, Home Décor & More and Carpet One. Laurie thanked Sharon Whalen and the Illinois Times for ads and space in the newspaper.  

A big thank you goes to Laurie for her work this year putting on a wonderful market - we had great artists and brought shoppers and attention to MacArthur Boulevard.

Photos of the market and artwork are displayed on the MBBA website at www.shoponmacarthur.com.  

Adopt-A-Street Cleanup

• South Side Christian Church Big Block Bash will be on July 17 in the evening; sponsors are needed - deadline is June 30. See more info at www.shoponmacarthur.com.
• Welcome to South Side Christian Church's new Senior Minister, Brooks Wilson!
• The former bank building at the corner of Outer Park & MacArthur has been leased; remodeling should begin at the beginning of July.
• The Boulevard is going into the space recently vacated by Dublin Pub; the space is undergoing an upgrade in décor. Stay tuned for future updates.
• The owners of the future International Buffet destined for the old Osco Building are investing over $900,000 in the renovation of the space.
• The co-manager of the former B&J Coin Shop, Steve Mileham, anticipates a late July or early August opening. The store will sell collectible coins, jewelry and vintage guitars.

• Brandon Damm is hosting a Get Out the Vote Fest at Fulgenzi's Pizza on Saturday, June 25th from noon to 4pm. A non-profit, non-partisan event to encourage community activism and to get the citizens of Sangamon County registered to vote, the event will feature as a guest speaker Cory Jobe, Alderman Ward 6, and there will be food and music.

Please renew your membership for 2011.  The 2011 Membership Form can be downloaded here and from our website, www.shoponmacarthur.com.

The MBBA supports the welfare of MacArthur Boulevard area businesses and promotes, develops and preserves MacArthur Boulevard as a desirable place to work, shop and live.

Please renew your membership and ask your friends, neighbors and the businesses you patronize to join the MBBA.

Everyone in the area benefits from having a
vibrant, healthy MacArthur Boulevard.