By: Diane Benjamin
More retirees are getting paid for accumulated un-used sick days. Does your employer allow this? Was this used to increase the pensions? I know who to FOIA and it isn’t the City of Bloomington! https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/33721/639280818851730000
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With all the excitement concerning Eastland Mall, this regular agenda item was overlooked: https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4121/files/attachment/13426
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Negotiations will begin with the Champaign developer, Royse and Brinkmeyer, to develop the North Main property. Note: “the price the City deems”. Watch for giving it away deemed necessary. If you missed the presentation they gave to the Council, see it here: https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4121/files/attachment/13427
Unlike the above, Eastland Mall redevelopment mostly gives away money that doesn’t exist now. A TIF district that gives back future revenue via sales/property taxes is a good tool providing the length and amounts are limited.
Development has 3 agenda items. Highlights from each are below:
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I predict a LONG meeting!
While I am not a fan of the city purchasing property and then giving it away, I am hopeful the arrangement with Royce and Brinkmeyer moves forward. They are a reputable company and will build a very nice building on a site that has been long dormant.
The same can be said for the development of the Eastland Mall property. A proven developer upgrading a very visible property in what is now the city’s Main Street. This is a much better investment for the city than another street scape plan, transit center, ring in the air or long list of other downtown boondoggles.
If Renner hadn’t bought it from friends it never would have been an issue