I
am often asked about which accomplishments I am most proud of while I was in
service in my local community as its City Manager. Some day, I hope to make a
thorough and detailed list to share with those who may be interested. But for
now, I will share on occasion some the individual accomplishments as I think of
them from time to time.
Generally,
I enjoyed very much any projects that involved the development and
revitalization of our community. Community and economic development was my
specialty. I enjoyed negotiating development projects and economic development
deals as well as public projects designed to revitalize and redevelop our
community. To see these through to completion often involved a great deal of
perseverance and patience, and sometimes a dose of good luck.
A
specific example involved the revitalization of our downtown. In 2005, I
assisted the then Mayor in creating a task force to oversee the preparation of
a downtown redevelopment plan. Members were selected amongst a group of
citizens and downtown stakeholders who we knew were strong proponents of a
downtown renewal program. Upon the plan’s adoption by the City Council in 2006,
this task force transitioned away from being an arm of the City and instead
became an independent, not-for-profit downtown redevelopment corporation whose
adopted charter was to ensure the plan’s recommendations were implemented. We
encouraged this group’s formation knowing that the success of the
implementation program would likely fail under the political pressures that
would exist if conducted solely under the auspices of the City and the City
Council.
One
of the plan’s primary recommendations was to embark on an aggressive
streetscape improvement and aesthetic enhancement program, the first part of
which had an estimated $12.0 million price tag. Securing the financing for this
project posed a challenge. The downtown area was part of a larger Tax Increment
Finance (TIF) district. This TIF was the only source of funds available to
finance the project. However, the district was nearing the end of its
statutorily defined time limit (23 year maximum). We needed another 12 years of
“life” for the district within which revenues would be generated to finance the
debt on a $12.0 million bond having a 10 year amortization period.
In
Illinois, a municipality can extend the life of a TIF by an additional 12 years
by getting special legislation passed by the House and Senate (the General
Assembly) and signed by the Governor. This cannot occur until you first receive
unanimous support on the extension from each of our local taxing districts
(School, County, Park, etc.). In our area, we have nine other taxing districts
from which support was required. This was no small task in that these districts
had been impacted by the TIF over the past 23 years and were now being asked to
grant permission for another 12 years on top of that. Due, in part, to strong
relationship building over the years, we were fortunate to receive the required
unanimous support. This eventually led to the special legislation being passed
and signed into law by the Governor (which, I might add, occurred only months
before his arrest, indictment, and impeachment!).
Nearly
two years had passed between the time the original plan was adopted and this
special legislation was passed. During this time, our Mayor, who was the
project’s biggest proponent, passed away suddenly. Turnover with other Council
positions also occurred. What once was an enthusiastically endorsed endeavor
now enjoyed only tepid support. Our redevelopment corporation stepped up its
efforts. They and the downtown merchants formulated a cohesive campaign to
ensure the City finished what it had started.
We
received bids on the streetscape work and secured very attractive interest
rates on our 10 year bond. Their approval received a split vote by the Council.
Our new Mayor voted to break the tie and voted in support of the bid and the
general obligation bond.
The
project has been completed now for several years. Our downtown is now a very
attractive place in which to shop, dine, and to conduct business. I believe the
effort was well worth the time and money invested to see it happen. But, it
took a lot of perseverance and patience to see it through to conclusion. Good
timing and good luck also played a role and are not to be underestimated.
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