By: Diane Benjamin
I filed a FOIA request with the FAA pertaining to the soccer fields on January 31, 2018. I received it today by mail. It’s not that big, no word on why it had to be mailed.
So, why does soccer need to leave the airport property?
See this 1994 letter written by the former Director of Aviation – Prairie City Soccer League knew a long time ago the airport wasn’t a long-term location.
1994 letter to FAA from Mike LaPier
In August of 2013 a plan was presented by a group called CAAY (Citizens Advocating for Area Youth) costing a mere $32,000,000 for a Community Center and Soccer complex. The groups plans stated PSCL had to move because the FAA would not allow them to stay due to Homeland Security and other safety issues. See that document here: CAAY proposal
I received NO emails saying the fields were too dangerous. Instead, the FAA wanted development on the airport property to be aeronautical in nature and be leased for Fair Market Value. In addition, letting PCSL stay on the property might affect future grants.
The emails contain an almost comical exchange where now airport director Carl Olson tells the FAA that turning the soccer fields back into farmland is the best use. The FAA person claimed farming is the lowest use of the property. Keep in mind, the office Carl is communicating with is in Chicago. Carl has to explain to them that farming is what we do downstate.
The complex is so dangerous PCSL was given another 3 year extension when the lease expired in December of 2017. They will only get an additional 1 year extension if plans to relocate are well underway. I’m assuming they are paying much more to stay on the property now, but I didn’t receive anything saying how much.
Some of the more interesting emails I received:
September 2017 request for extension
3 year extension granted in December 2017
PCSL has done nothing to raise the money for their own complex, the only plan is to have taxpayers build it. Since the $32,000,000 plan failed, a new plan for a multi-sport complex is being investigated by Normal – they hired a consultant to see if it is feasible. The answer will of course be yes.
The roads are pathetic, a bunch of angry citizens will descend on City Hall if anyone suggests building it.
Will angry citizens show up? If angry citizens do show up will Council members hear them? It’s difficult to hear anything other than Scott Black, Amelia Buragas, and Diana Hauman kissing King Tari’s arse while 6 of the 9 bowing down to the thieves (aka liberals who think nothing of stealing from the poor so they can be entertained).
They need to show up in Normal, unless they want to find it themselves. Unless Its Downtown Tari Wont Care
Well, unless soccer moms are still considered a voting block…
What do we need farms for anyway? I just go to the grocery store and get my food.. but NOT Green Top-too expensive.. And what do they do with ALL that corn anyway? Make ethanol? We have PLENTY of gas with fracking and with Rivian making electric cars, we’ll have PLENTY of fuel. MAYBE the soccer fields can move into the Rivian plant when they default. As for soccer, maybe the council will do like they USUALLY do and “kick the can down the road”
So ultimately we do not have an aeronautical use for the land and it can be continued to be leased to these soccer folks. At least that gets some money back to CIRA which does not have to be taken from the taxpayers in its district. My suggestion: review what this soccer group is paying and what they should be paying. Charge them a FMV. If the soccer folks can’t afford it, they can seek land elsewhere. They have been given a sweetheart deal for a long time.
If these soccer folks can make millions of dollars with a new complex, they can do it privately and partner with Stark/the Kim Group. It doesn’t need to be taxpayer funded because then there is no incentive for them to run it well. If the hotels and restaurants feel they will greatly benefit from this, they can buy sponsorships or naming rights.