By: Diane Benjamin
The conversation is continuing on the post Chris Koos made to Facebook. See the original story: https://blnnews.com/2020/07/19/koos-out-of-touch-or-out-of-his-mind/
Below are excerpts, Joel Studebaker got into lots of topics. The one that interested me was the empty first floor at 1 Uptown Circle.
Note Cheryl Gaines claims renting it is up to the owner of the building. Not being able to stop myself, I had to point out she was wrong. She wasn’t buying that it.
Instead of taking the time to pull out the original documents, I post a WGLT article that all but states the Town is making the space difficult to rent. (See that story below)
Chris Koos finally responded to statements on his own post. Read below and then I will prove below HE is wrong, along with Gaines and Studebaker.
PDF page 206 – the contract with the developer of 1 Uptown Circle https://normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2058
Does Koos and Council ever read the documents staff prepares? It says right in them the Town has control over who can rent that space. CHERYL GAINES WAS ON THE COUNCIL WHEN THE CONTRACT PASSED THE COUNCIL! Of course Koos was the Mayor.
I expect an apology Mr. Koos although I won’t be holding my breath waiting for one.
The first floor of 1 Uptown Circle is empty because the Town is looking for a non-existent “right fit”.
WGLT article on 1 Uptown Circle
Liberal democrats never let the facts get in the way of doing what they want to do…
Hahaha! Liar, liar, pants on fire!
Perhaps that is on the level that Koos and Gaines can understand.
Koos and Co are used to weaving lie after lie. How can they possibly remember a lie from 2016? Koos and Co and Gaines have been in Normal politics so long they believe if they say it is must be true.
To their defense, the logic in government is “The King can do no wrong”. There are laws around this logic. If you are King what you say is true, the written historical records and contracts must be wrong. But under no circumstance is King Koos ever wrong.
Are there any restaurateurs who have wanted to use the space but been turned down? Or has previous interest only come from non-restaurant businesses?
Thanks
Non restaurant because starting from nothing is too expensive
Koos is so arrogant that he thought high-end restauranteurs would trip over themselves to land this “coveted” spot in Uptown. Build it and they will come, right? Word has it that Epiphany passed due to the footprint logistics and the high rent. The language of the project description is disgusting. Basically, the Town and only the Town can approve the tenant and it must be a “fine dining” establishment. The elitists want a fancy restaurant when the marketplace leans more toward late-night menus and fast-casual. Of course, to Koos and company, an empty space is better than a paying tenant that doesn’t meet their high standards for cuisine and libations. While you’re factually correct, Diane, no one is buying that the empty space is anything other than Koos’ fault. The delusional bubbleheads feeding at the government-incentive trough and the lemmings at the Chamber are the exception.
Wow that looks like the owner is getting screwed. What is the point of zoning if the town has to approve the exact business going into a location?
A fine dining restaurant with valet parking over at Horton Fieldhouse! That’s SO uptownish!
WHAT does he call that Medici place? And does he THINK that students or their folks are going to go to some “uppity town restaurant” just because koos likes it?? I have YET to even go in the parking lot of POrtillos!
Where are all of these fine diners going to park?
Somebody thinks people like to walk from parking garages in wind, snow, ice and rain.