The city of Springfield, Illinois, seems more likely to implement at tax-increment financing district on its declining north side — which features a prominent alignment of Route 66 — after a hearing on the matter last week.
TIF districts are where taxes from rising property-tax values are used to pay part of renovation costs or infrastructure improvements.
The Springfield State Journal-Register reported about 25 people attending the hearing, and it heard no opposition to the proposed TIF district:
Those who made public comments said attention is long overdue to area roads, sidewalks, drainage, abandoned properties and businesses. One homeowner was advised there would be no forced acquisition of properties, though developers eventually could seek to buy some homes or commercial structures.
“I’m a north-ender, and we’ve seen the loss of a lot of businesses. These are iconic spots,” said Daniel Richards. “I feel the city of Springfield is doing a great thing by offering this TIF district. We look forward to this development and hope to get it passed.”
Several who commented highlighted the tourism and business possibilities of Peoria Road as a key piece of the Route 66 corridor in Springfield. Loss of Route 66 stops, including the closing in 2013 of Shea’s Route 66 Museum at 2075 Peoria Road, was cited among justifications for the TIF. New owners are redeveloping the Shea’s site as a Route 66-themed auto-repair shop.
Several other people at the hearing also spoke of Route 66 as a key element of the area’s possible revitalization.
A few other observations from the newspaper’s report and the Peoria Road Redevelopment Project report (99-page PDF):
- Redeveloping Peoria Road would cost about $21 million in the long-term, much of it rehabilitation costs.
- Property values in that area fell 2.5 percent from 2011 to 2016. Citywide property values rose 4.6 percent during the same period.
- About 90 percent of the buildings in the proposed district are 35 years old or older.
- The district suffers from “inadequate storm-sewer capacity, crumbling streets and sidewalks, lack of planning, and conflicting land uses that often violate zoning ordinances.”
- The area meets state law for a TIF district as both a “blighted” and “conservation” area — the latter because of its aging buildings.
- The report states: “Preservation of existing buildings as part of a redevelopment strategy will be considered by the City if such is determined to be physically and economically viable.”
Talk of a TIF district was prompted nearly two years ago by drop in tourism in north Springfield, caused mostly by the aforementioned closing of Shea’s Route 66 Museum after the death of its longtime owner.
Also, other Route 66 towns such as Litchfield, Bloomington-Normal, Pontiac, Lincoln and Atlanta were marketing themselves to Route 66 travelers more aggressively.
The tourism fell only slightly or stabilized on the Springfield’s south end during the same period, probably because it was closer to the interstate.
(Image of the closed Vic’s Pizza restaurant on Peoria Road, aka Route 66, in Springfield, Illinois, cited in the Peoria Road Redevelopment Project report)
As an Illinois resident, I’m embarrassed and puzzled and upset that the capital city of Illinois (“where the road begins”) is so late getting on the Route 66 bandwagon. The route through Springfield has lost numerous attractions and sites in recent years, and the city hasn’t seemed very interested in preserving more of what draws so many people to Springfield. (If tourism has been stabilized on South Sixth Street, it’s because of the Cozy Dog on Route 66!) There have been several opportunities for the city to encourage (and spend a little money on) supporting and preserving Route 66 businesses, and for whatever reason the city has missed them all. If Joliet and Elwood and Pontiac and Normal and Bloomington and Atlanta and Lincoln and Litchfield and Edwardsville can make the effort to bolster 66 and reap the benefits, why can’t Springfield? I know little to nothing about the political and economic situation there, but surely someone can see the obvious — Route 66 tourists certainly do. Springfield is one of my favorite places to visit in Illinois — there is so much there, but the casual 66 tourist isn’t very aware of it. North Peoria Road deserves the support of the city, and I sincerely hope the establishment of a TIF district gets the ball rolling.
Well said Bob. Nothing there I can’t agree with. It’s my hometown. I hope they can get their act together vis-a-vis Route 66, especially on the north side.