To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here. Kill this “epic waste” Wednesday, Apr 4, 2018 * 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

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