THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008
TIF Plans In Works
Off the Record, By TODD WESSELL
Despite City Council's close decision Monday night not to buy a piece of property in the "5 Corners" Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, the city is moving ahead with plans to spark development of the acreage.
Community Development Committee chairman Ald. Laura Murphy (3d) announced Monday night that the first of a series of public gatherings will take place on Thursday, May 15, to garner input.
Specifically, Murphy wants to concentrate on the northern area of the 70-acre TIF along Golf Road. Those interested will meet on the upper level of the Des Plaines Park District's Golf Center on River Road.
Behind the scenes, Off The Record has been told that Murphy, Mayor Tony Arredia and possibly other city officials have met with representatives of Cleveland-based national retail giant Forest City Enterprises about the possibility of developing at least some of the "5 Corners" TIF. Nothing has been firmed up, we're told. Just a get together to see if there's a meeting of the minds. Murphy confirmed Tuesday that a recent meeting took place and interest from a few developers has surfaced. It's still in "its infancy", she said.
Forest City is an $8 billion company that owns, develops, manages and acquires commercial and residential real estate throughout the U.S...
With the realization that the hens will soon come home to roost concerning the end of four City Council positions along with mayor and city clerk, talk has picked up in recent weeks about turning around the city's term limit requirement. More than one public official has told us that numerous phone calls have been exchanged on the issue. Under consideration is for City Council to take action to place on a referendum on the Nov. 4 election ballot asking voters if they favor eliminating the city's term limit requirement. Without voter approval, aldermen Pat Beauvais (1st), Laura Murphy (3d), Carla Brookman (5th), and Don Smith (7th), along with Mayor Tony Arredia and City Clerk Donna McAllister will have to leave office next spring.
Ald. Brookman, chairman of the city's License & Judicial Committee, which could review the prospect of such a referendum, said this week that if someone asks her panel to review the issue, it would. But, she added, "It's up to the people even if the Council would put the question on the ballot."