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Guest Speakers - Ward 6 and Ward 7 Aldermen
Joe McMenamin, Alderman, Ward7
Joe talked about a MacArthur Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District for MacArthur, saying we should try to get it implemented soon. This will allow rising property values to fund the TIF and result in faster implementation of streetscape and infrastructure upgrades. $35 to $55,000 will be needed for consultants, and planning the TIF is expected to take 12-16 months before it could be approved by the City Council. The MBBA will be asked to provide some of this funding along with the City and commercial interests. Additional meetings are planned with the City, Aldermen and the MBBA. Joe's preliminary TIF district map includes the lots on either side of MacArthur from South Grand to Summit, but only for properties within Springfield City limits. The district widens to include property near the old Esquire property, the old Kmart & bowling alley, Town & Country Shopping Center, and MacArthur Park Apartments.
Joe lauded the addition of 2 new code enforcement attorneys for the City of Springfield.
Each alderman now has the assistance of an intern, with aldermen in odd-numbered wards adding interns this year, and aldermen in even-numbered wards adding interns next year.
Joe reviewed the state of several properties on MacArthur Boulevard with photos: AMC (previously Kerasotes) where recent graffiti has been painted over; previous Kmart where no new graffiti has been added after being painted over earlier this year; the bowling alley, which is registered and boarded; and MacArthur Park Apartments, which Joe said has an estimated 50% occupancy, is fire damaged and has unsecured uninhabited buildings. Joe is participating in a combined inspection at MacArthur Park Apartments on Monday 7/18. Joe also mentioned several impassible alleys and buildings with very tall weeds near MacArthur.
Joe had several recommendations for the MBBA, including: promoting a TIF; contributing funds to the TIF consulting costs; recruiting block captains to monitor and track public works problems in areas near MacArthur and letting Public Works and Joe know of issues needing to be addressed; recruiting a person to track registered buildings and participate in City Court on Wednesday mornings when cases are heard; and beautifying the gateways and the old Kmart building.
Joe's office hours are Tuesday evenings 7:30-9pm and Saturday mornings 9-11am at South Side Christian Church.
Cory Jobe, Alderman, Ward 6 Cory said he supports a general TIF for MacArthur, but not a targeted TIF and that District 186 schools in the area should be brought into the planning early in the process to ensure their buy-in.
He also mentioned the 2 new attorneys for the City of Springfield, saying enforcement has been part of the problem for chronic boarded properties. He briefly discussed the ICON Abandoned Property Code Enforcement amendments to address problem properties, and said there were enough votes to pass the changes now.
Cory talked about limb pickup problems, saying Public Works Director Mark Mahoney was working hard to restructure that department, and communication to the public about when limbs will be picked up will help property owners plan for tree trimming and reduce the time limbs are piled at the curb before being picked up. He said residents need to work with the City by scheduling tree maintenance when possible and realizing limbs can't be picked up every day in every area of the city.
Cory discussed Ward 6 issues, including: a meeting between the City and the Springfield Park District about the Stanford Avenue Project to provide a major east-west artery and open Springfield's east side for future development using $2m in federal funding that must be used within a set timeframe or be forfeited; a green economy / sustainability taskforce led by Wynne Coplea from the City of Springfield; a $600,000 grant for the acquisition and demolition of the BelAir Motel on South Sixth Street, which also must be used within a set timeframe or be forfeited; and the addition of several new Neighborhood Watch Programs due to an increase in crime throughout Springfield. He urged residents and property owners to stay vigilant and to report suspicious behavior. Cory said any talk of a change in garbage pickup was premature.
Cory's website has been updated as a tool to keep constituents updated about the latest news and to facilitate communication. He mentioned holding 7 "Meet Your Alderman" events in the next 6 weeks and said anyone who wants to keep informed about happenings in Ward 6 can join his email newsletter on the website, www.jobeward6.com.
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