PeoriaStory

Turntable at Riverfront Park likely leaving town

PEORIA, IL -- The old railroad turntable at Riverfront Park is likely heading to a railroad museum in Monticello, IL -- a town near Urbana, IL

The city of Peoria hosted an Oct. 17 public meeting on the fate of the turntable, and about two dozen people appeared to discuss what should be done.  A consensus supported moving the turntable to the museum, where it will be restored and used in museum projects.

There was a sad ambience in the room, as people criticized the city for neglecting this artifact from the past.  The site was a railroad yard before it became a park. The city had promised to maintain the turntable as part of its federal grant award to purchase the site, but neglected it instead.

City officials at the meeting several times promised to maintain the park as a park in perpetuity. Some in the audience were skeptical, after the four year fight to kill an apartment proposal that would have destroyed most of the park. They expressed concern that proposals for private development could surface again.

"There are no plans for development" in the park, said Deborah Roethler, assistant city manager.

There was talk that the city's riverfront planning has expanded to the park. Joyce Harant, a Peoria Park District board member, cautioned the city officials about developing plans without public input, then presenting them for public approval. "The people should develop the park," she said. 

"We have beautiful open spaces.  We don't need another playground" or more concrete, a woman said.

The turntable site will be filled in and grass planted.  Signs will commemorate the site, and the turntable at the museum, Peoria's gift to the museum, officials said.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

Is Riverfront Park saved? Maybe

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

HAS RIVERFRONT PARK BEEN SAVED FOR PUBLIC USE?

NOT YET, BUT PERHAPS

On July 2, the city of Peoria terminated the development agreement to build apartments in Riverfront Park. 

Friends of Riverfront Park (FORP) thanks all who helped get to this point to save the park for public green space.  The city of Peoria has posted the notice of termination on its website at

http://www.peoriagov.org/content/uploads/2015/11/Rivertrail-termination_1531158130_add.pdf

But concerns remain:  

1. The City’s application to the National Park Service (NPS) to sell the parkland for apartments must be withdrawn. We ask supporters to contact their council representatives and city manager asking them to immediately withdraw the application. Withdrawal places the parkland under the protection of federal regulations and continues its use as a public park.
   

2. FORP’s research found deficiencies in a prior land conversion of Southtown to Rocky Glen, completed in 2012. The National Park Service (NPS) agreed, and determined that the city has a likely shortfall in fair market value of the converted land.   
   

The city has stated that it will “work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service to resolve the issues related to the Rocky Glen conversion, in order to close out any outstanding issues with the Land and Water Grant,” 

http://www.peoriagov.org/content/uploads/2015/11/River-Trail-Update-6.29-July-6_1531158088_add.pdf

The city therefore needs new appraisals for these properties to determine their fair market value. 

The city SHOULD NOT PURCHASE additional land to correct an anticipated fair market value deficit until the appraisals are completed and accepted by NPS showing a deficit.  

Despite its extreme fiscal crisis, the city is proposing purchase of park replacement land that may cost more than its appraised value, creating excess fair market value. FORP does not want a set up for a future Riverfront Park conversion for development. The land purchase is likely to be on the council agenda for July 24.

Ask council members to reject the proposed purchase and look for other solutions, such as properties the city already owns in Southtown, which could be made into pocket parks. A public decision process also should be in place before replacement land is purchased. – 30 -

Here's the story in the Journal Star.

TIF and District 150

PEORIA, IL -- A special meeting of the Peoria District 150 School Board on Dec. 18 was set up for the board to approve bonds and hear a couple of presentations. 

I was the only person to comment. I updated the board on the Peoria City Council's proposed use of TIF or tax increment financing funds, to buy the Detweiller Playground property. The council voted on Dec. 12 to spend $225,000 to buy the land, to replace land in Riverfront Park that would be lost to the proposed apartments.

The TIF funds come from property taxes diverted into a city slush fund, which deprives the school district of revenue, about half of the total.  Here is what I told the board:

The Peoria City Council last week voted to spend $225,000 in TIF funds to purchase property to replace land lost to the apartment project in Riverfront Park.

On Jan. 9 they will vote on amending the budget to spend this money.  It takes a 2/3 vote, and last week they didn’t have it.  One vote stalled the purchase. You need to act to keep it that way. 

You can ask that District 150 be sent its percentage of that $225,000, about half of that total.  

The TIF funds are actually money was taken from property taxes that should have gone to District 150 and other taxing districts including the park district.  It’s no wonder you have a deficit, when the tax funds that should be going to you are diverted into what critics call a city slush fund.

If the council votes to spend $225,000 to buy replacement land – land that floods -- that money is also lost forever to District 150. And under the TIF District rules the apartments won’t generate any property taxes for you two decades.  

The apartments can be built elsewhere without a TIF district to help.  That would preserve the park for future generations, as well as for today, and free up your funds to go to you. Demand it!

If you know council members who are still supporting the apartment project please talk with them and ask them to end the proposal for apartments in the park, and send District 150 its  percentage of the TIF money. - 30 - 

In response, board members discussed the TIF issue and said they have asked for TIF money in the past, without much luck.  Most of what they said could not be heard.

Here is a recording: 

Download D150 Dec 12 17

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

"Drive-by-activism" and other lies at the council meeting

PEORIA, IL -- The lies at the Peoria City Council meeting on Dec. 12 just kept coming, mostly from District 1 council member Denise Moore.

The worst one: "drive by activism," to describe the actions and comments of the people who oppose transferring land from a taxpayer-funded public park, Riverfront Park, to a private developer for upscale apartments.

That phrase is a lie. 

Friends of Riverfront Park and its supporters  have been in the park numerous times, for fund-raisers and other activities.

The truth is that Moore is a hands-on activist pushing businesses that sometimes benefit herself. She probably thinks or hopes the apartment project will somehow put money in her pocket. And it has.  

The Illinois State Board of Elections campaign contributions page shows her getting $1,000 from Michael Freilinger,of the Downtown Development Corporation and received nice checks from various business groups.  

But there's more from Moore. "Change is hard," she said.  No, not always. Does Moore, a Democrat, support the Affordable Care Act?  That was change.

And more Moore.  She said the River Trail apartments would be a "$30 million development the city doesn't have to pay for." That's an outright lie.

Council member Beth Jensen noted the city is supposed to spend "$4.5 million" on the development.  That's tax money, likely mostly TIF funding apparently, namely funds that have been denied to schools, parks and other deficit challenged tax funded entities, even fire, police and roads. Jensen opposes the apartments.

Then Moore commented that the city "should buy the property (the Detweiller Playground land) regardless of the apartments," since the city is working on a comprehensive riverfront plan. Say what?  Why?

It would be crazy to buy this and the other replacement land, the former site of Hawkeye Rubber, a contaminated site, if the apartment plan fails. And these properties also flood, making them off limits to the public at times. 

Read enough?  Who will run against Moore in the next election and send her back where she came from?

WANTED: sensible candidates who listen to their constituents!  And don't accept campaign contributions from people involved in their projects.

 -- Elaine Hopkins 

Don't take my word for it.  Here is the Journal Star's editorial on Moore. 

Peoria City Council votes 7-4 to proceed with River Trail apartments

PEORIA, IL -- People opposed to private luxury River Trail apartments in Riverfront Park filled the Peoria City Council chambers on Dec. 12.  Six members of the public spoke eloquently against the apartments. No one arose to speak for them. 

That didn't matter to the Peoria City Council.  On a 7 - 4 vote, the council agreed to renew for a sixth time the agreement to proceed with the apartments, and also voted to spend $225,000 to buy the Detweiller Playground land, to replace the park land lost to the apartments.

But the council then stalled. The money to pay for the land would come from a TIF district, but to access the funds the council needed a two-thirds vote, and didn't have it. So that agenda item was postponed for 30 days, apparently to persuade one of the hold-outs to switch votes.

Two council members, Eric Turner and Tim Riggenbach were seen talking to Mayor Jim (Twittergate) Ardis before the meeting.  Turner twice told the Peoria Journal Star he would vote against the apartments, but then voter for them.  Wonder what he got from the mayor in return.  We'll be watching. 

Riggenbach was also a potential vote, and likely he also got something he wanted.  We'll see.

Here's a prediction:  both will have opponents in the next election, as will the others who voted to proceed with the apartments.

And here are the council members who stood firmly against the apartments, and in favor of the park as public open space: Grayeb, Jensen, Akeson and Montelongo. Good for them.

Here is a recording of the hour long debate:

Download Peo CC 12-12-2017

-- Elaine Hopkins

Here are my comments to the council:

My name is Elaine Hopkins and I am here representing Friends of Riverfront Park.  We ask that you vote no on the River Trail Redevelopment Agreement which is the trigger for the Land and Water Conservation conversion application that would convert to apartments so much of our beautiful and serene Riverfront Park.

We have spent since the spring of 2015 researching the LWCF regulations, this and prior conversions.  We respectfully disagree with City staff’s assessment that related to the NPS conditional letter of  approval that resolution and clarity on any required next steps will happen soon or, as implied by staff, that they will be easy to accomplish.

The conversion issues are very complex. While staff has provided council members their opinion, we have provided facts.  In this time of financial strain, we urge you to vote no and not continue down a path that will uncover future unbudgeted financial obligations.

The information we most recently shared explains:

• why Peoria will never be able to claim a $66,000 carryover Fair Market Value from the Rocky Glen conversion;
• why Peoria can expect to owe more Fair Market Value for the Southtown to Rocky Glen conversion;
• why Peoria can expect to lose all or a great part of the $287,000 replacement Fair Market Value for the Detweiller Playground land because the revised appraisal seems facially not consistent with the federal appraisal standards required by the LWCF Act. So if you vote to buy this land be forewarned that you will be looking for additional property and FMV, if you continue this conversion;
• why Peoria can expect to be responsible for the costs to move and rebuild the Playground by the Riverplex, if that is included in the footprint of the sand volleyball courts;
• why Peoria will lose sales tax and ticket revenue and surrounding bars and restaurants will lose business when the sand volleyball courts reduce the land available for the Riverfront stage events.. thereby limiting the number of people who can attend and even diminish the viability of the Riverfront event series; and
• why Peoria has unknown and unbudgeted remediation expenses in the proposed replacement park.

Can you explain to the businesses that could benefit from assistance from the Northside Business TIF funds why you choose to spend more than $600,000, including the $225,000 for the Detweiller Playground property, for replacement property expenses?

Can you explain to the other taxing bodies, as our schools and park district, why you do not return their property tax funds included in the TIF funds?

Friends of Riverfront Park are committed to stopping this conversion by all legal means available, but we prefer to work with you, the business community and residents to improve Riverfront Park and find a non-park location for the developer to build apartments.

Thank you.- 30 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Friends of Riverfront Park Event Thus., Nov. 16

PEORIA, IL -- This will be fun:

FRIENDS OF RIVERFRONT PARK FUNDRAISER  NOV. 16

            Friends of Riverfront Park is sponsoring a Save the Park Fundraiser & Update on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 5 – 9 pm at Sky Harbor Steakhouse, 1321 N. Park Drive in West Peoria, IL.

The event will include wine, cheese, and a silent auction of art, antiques, collectibles and other desirable items. Food will be available for purchase from the restaurant.  

An update on the fight to save Riverfront Park from destruction if upscale apartments are built there also will take place. 

 The event is free but donations will be accepted. Friends of Riverfront Park has an all-volunteer staff.  Donations are not tax deductible.  All funds raised will be used to preserve Riverfront Park for public use.

            For further information on the efforts to save Riverfront Park in Peoria from the apartments, see the FORP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/riverfrontparkfriends

Riverfront Park loses again

PEORIA, IL -- The Peoria City Council for the fifth time has re-upped its contract with a developer to destroy Riverfront Park with upscale apartments.

The vote was 6 - 4, and took place at the June 27 meeting after a lengthy special comment session.  A recording of the comments is posted below. 

The vote was a downer for Friends of Riverfront Park, which has worked hard to educate the public about the dreadful apartment project.  The public showed up at the meeting (thanks everyone) but the council isn't listening to the public. 

One newly elected member, Oyler, told voters he was opposed to the apartments but at the meeting defended them them with an error-laced commentary. Here is what I wrote on the Journal Star's website story:

Oyler's comments were full of errors. Memorials won't be touched? Not true. There will be no space left for people to gather for programs at the memorial sites. Better access to the lake from the swapped property? Not true. It floods, and there is a similar access next to Detweiller Marina now. ETC. Oyler said he was opposed to the apartments when he was running for office. Now he's for them. Remember that when he runs for reelection. 

So Oyler is a liar and hypocrite.  Others who voted to destroy the park: Cyr won his council seat by one vote.  His opponent was against the apartments. Mayor Ardis, Mr. Twittergate, would never have been reelected without a weak opponent, and he barely won anyway. Moore has taken council money for her private business. Riggenbach's only reason for voting is cowardice, fear of Ardis. He says to  let the National Park Service decide. His family reportedly opposes the apartments. That leaves Ruckriegle, the 'partner' of the powerful Peoria County Board chairman who depends on union support.

The unions favor the project because they want the work, but the apartments could be built at many vacant properties near the park and riverfront. They should shut up and help find an alternative site. It doesn't look good for unions to support taking away a valuable public park that taxpayers bought for the public, to be given to a developer. 

For more on Riverfront Park, see the category in the list on the right side of this page and FORP's Facebook page.

 Here are the comments:

Download PCC 6-27-17

-- Elaine Hopkins

We won!

PEORIA, IL -- We won the FOIA lawsuit against the IDNR.  Here's the news release:

FRIENDS OF RIVERFRONT PARK PREVAILS IN FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT LAWSUIT AGAINST  ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

            Friends of Riverfront Park (FORP) has won its Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

            The lawsuit contended that IDNR improperly withheld documents needed by FORP to analyze Peoria’s application to transfer Riverfront Park land to a private developer for upscale apartments.  That application is pending with the National Park Service, which must approve it after review by IDNR.

            Judge Peter Cavanagh of the Sangamon County Circuit Court ruled in favor of FORP on June 19, 2017, and the IDNR released the documents on June 22, 2017.  

            "We repeatedly asked IDNR for documents we need to see if the proposed sale of Riverfront Park by the City is in compliance with federal regulations. IDNR stonewalled us for three months, so we had no choice but to sue," said plaintiff Elaine Hopkins, secretary of FORP.  "We are gratified the judge agreed with us, upholding the public's right to know what government agencies are doing behind the scenes," she added.

            The lawsuit was filed on May 15, 2017 in Springfield, IL circuit court and sought expedited treatment because the Peoria City Council is expected to decide whether or not to extend the due diligence expiration date at its June 27 meeting, to meet a June 30, 2017 deadline.

            FORP was represented by Attorneys John Myers and Donald Craven of Springfield. 

            Copies of the court filings, and the documents themselves, are available on request from  Ms. Hopkins at her e-mail address below.  

            For further information on the efforts to save Riverfront Park in Peoria from the apartments, see the FORP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/riverfrontparkfriends - 30 -

Friends of Riverfront Park Files Suit Against the IDNR

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

FRIENDS OF RIVERFRONT PARK SUE THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

            Friends of Riverfront Park, through its secretary, Elaine Hopkins,  has filed a Freedom  of Information Act  lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).  The lawsuit contends that IDNR is improperly withholding documents needed to analyze Peoria’s application  to transfer most of Riverfront Park to a developer for upscale apartments.

            That application is pending with the National Park Service, which must approve it after review by IDNR.

            "We have repeatedly asked IDNR for documents we need to see if the proposed sale of Riverfront Park by the City is legal or not.  IDNR has been stonewalling us for the last 3 months," said Hopkins.  "They claim that the documents are exempt as relating to negotiations for a sale of land, which is demonstrably false.  We had no choice but to sue," she added.

            The lawsuit was filed on May 15, 2017 in Springfield, IL circuit court and seeks expedited treatment because the City must make a decision whether or not to proceed with the sale by June 30, 2017.

            Copies of the court filings are available on request made to Ms. Hopkins at her e-mail address above.

            For further information on the efforts to save Riverfront Park in Peoria from the apartments, see the FORP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/riverfrontparkfriends

More information: [email protected]

               Also check out the Facebook Page for new photos of Peoria Public School students using Riverfront Park on May 10, 2017 for hiking and learning. - 30 - 

Public Comment Sought on Riverfront Park Giveaway

PEORIA, IL -- A new round of public comments is taking place on the Riverfront Park land giveaway.  It is being required by the National Park Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  A good sign they don't like the project?  No one knows.

The deadline is 5 pm on Monday, Feb. 20. The comments should concern a revised Environmental Assessment, and can be emailed to [email protected], so write now opposing it. 

From the press release:

The document has been posted on the City’s website at www.peoriagov.org/riverfrontpark. It is also on file for viewing at the Office of the City Clerk. At NPS’ suggestion, the City will accept public comment on this document through February 20, 2017. The comment period is not intended to solicit general support or opposition to the project but provide substantive comments on the Environmental Assessment.

At NPS’ suggestion, the City will accept public comment on this document through February 20, 2017. The comment period is not intended to solicit general support or opposition to the project but provide substantive comments on the Environmental Assessment.

Per the terms of the River Trail Drive Redevelopment Agreement, the City must obtain the approval of both IDNR and the National Park Service before a portion of Riverfront Park can be sold for development. This process is governed by grant requirements associated with the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

In the 1980s, the City received two grants from this fund that assisted in the creation of a park from I-74 to Spring Street. To obtain this approval, the City needed to identify property that would serve as compensation for the loss of open space. The City has identified approximately 5.6 acres of private property adjacent to Riverfront Park to serve as the replacement.

The City will accept written comment through 5 p.m. on Monday, February 20, 2017. Comments can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed River Trail Project Comments, c/o Chris Setti, City of Peoria, 419 Fulton #207, Peoria, IL 61602.

The Friends of Riverfront Park Facebook page has loads of information and links on the park giveaway for development of high-end apartments. 

There's also information on the FORP fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 12, 3 - 5 pm at the GAR Hall in Peoria.  This will be a terrific event with entertainment, refreshments, and a great silent auction of art, antiques, collectibles and more.