Ward 7 Update November 2011

Highlights

Hy-Vee: The Future

The Hy-Vee planning and zoning process continues with all positives so far.
Hy-Vee’s zoning case next goes to the City Council December 20, 2011 for approval.
On Oct 6, I brought Hy-Vee officials in to see Mayor Houston. The Mayor and his administration have been extraordinarily helpful.

MacArthur Boulevard Tax Increment Financing District – TIF

The City Council adopted the first of several resolutions and ordinances in September 2011 to establish the “Mac” TIF. On Nov 18, our City filed a Redevelopment Plan for the corridor with the City Clerk. This will now trigger a series of Notices and events culminating with a Public Hearing in early 2012. Hopefully the TIF will finalize by late February and Hy-Vee can then break ground. Hy-Vee can use future real estate tax revenue (TIF funds) derived from increased property values at the site and reimburse itself for some of its development costs. Follow the SJR and other news sources for more information. See my MacArthur TIF page for more details…

MacArthur Park Apartments

In early August 2011, I swore out an affidavit and our City got a search warrant to allow our City Inspectors to inspect the Apartments. The owner was denying us access. Since then, the City has inspected 21 buildings involving 84 units, found over 1400 violations, placarded 45 units “Occupancy Prohibited”, and required the owner to register and board-up seven of the buildings.

I also requested our local Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) to deny approval of any additional “Section 8” units there. The SHA was paying the landlord for 60 Section 8 apartments at the site. A Federal regulation states that a Housing Authority may deny Section 8 to a landlord with “a history or practice of renting units that fail to meet State or local housing codes.” Clearly, this site meets that criterion. I will keep pursuing this issue. The SHA has yet to formally respond.

Read & download my letter to the SHA…

Retirement from 30 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard

Joe-and-BC-Pratt-Sept-2011 — Sept 2011 with BG Pratt (on the right), the last of many Brigade Commanders I served as Command Judge Advocate.

This month I retire from the Illinois Army National Guard, 30 years after enlisting as a Private and shipping out to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for Basic Training. Photo: Sept 2011 with BG Pratt (on the right), the last of many Brigade Commanders I served as Command Judge Advocate.