Nichols Library expansion

[cantretirehere]

good idea

[sam2]

I have to agree with cantretirehere ( I can't either) .

As I recall, the debate about the last parking deck, the merchants lobbied for it, offered to pay two thirds the cost. Once the city agreed to build the deck, the merchants decided that the deck benefitted all residents, so why should the merchants bear the majority of the cost.
(And the merchants also opposed allowing any retail competition on the first floor of the deck. Rental spaces that would have helped offset the cost fo the deck ) Ultimately, the council agreed with the rvised arguements and the taxpayers ended up paying over half. And, in the first year, things were so good in the city that council foregave the merchants' first year payment and took it from general tax revenues instead.

That's the precedent.

This time, early indications are that funding will be from an additonal 1% sales tax in the downtown area (which ultimately will spread to the entire city, just like the carillon, oops, "cultural" tax .) The remainder will come from a special services tax on the merchants, and the balance from property taxes. Once again, our tax dollars are used to subsidize private enterprise. My share will only run about $20 or $30 per year, but I'd much rather pay when I shop, than be forced to subsidize the businesses that are unwilling to invest in parking for their customers.

By the way, anyone notice the early indication for property tax rates -- potentially up 2%. That's the rate. If property values go up, even 3%, that's a 6% increase in spending. In my opinion, we ought to be finding ways to cut costs and hold the line on taxes.

[momof3]

sam2 said:

And, in the first year, things were so good in the city that council foregave the merchants' first year payment and took it from general tax revenues instead.

What exactly do you mean by 'things were so good'?

sam2 said:

This time, early indications are that funding will be from an additonal 1% sales tax in the downtown area (which ultimately will spread to the entire city, just like the carillon, oops, "cultural" tax .)

Ooops, I forgot, we were supposed to tear it down, right?

[sam2]

To answer your first question: My comment about things were so good just paraphrased the city's position. The council determined that the city had enough money to provide for the payment that was supposed to come from the merchants. That's what happened -- The merchants' share was paid by the taxpayers in the first year.

As to your second point,

Of course they weren't supposed to tear it down and I never suggested that. Clearly, I should not have mentioned it at all -- I've forgotten that emotions run very high on this board ---I apologize that I've touched a nerve.

I should have realized that there is no room for diverse opinions on this board. It should have been obvious from the fact that 80% of the posts come from only 18 members.

You can have the last word, as I won't trouble you with my opinions in the future. I'm certain you won't miss them. I certainly don't need the snide response.

[momof3]

I was asking a legitimate question - what do you mean by 'things were so good'?

- Did the city not spend to the budget, creating a surplus?
- Were sales tax collections over expectations?
- Did assessed values go up more than expected?
- Some other explaination?

[momof3]

IMO, these students are just modeling the bad behavior exhibited during the elections - personal attacks - half-truths - misleading information - a 'win-at-any-cost' attitude. (It also reminds me of an unsavory WVHS attack during the spring campaign.) Why engage your opponent in constructive political discourse when you could just attack them on a personal level? It's a very sad commentary on what we're teaching our kids today.
It will be interesting to see what the next Naperville North student council elections bring if any of these students (or parents) are involved...

www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/140041,6_1_NA17_DECK_S1.article

Students, activist ignite protest of parking deck
Web site creator says if structure is built, city officials 'can get away with anything'

November 17, 2006
By KATE R. HOULIHAN and Paige Winfield staff writers
A Naperville father and five local students are driving a resistance to the construction of a four-story parking garage next to Nichols Library downtown.

About three weeks ago, resident Chris Devane created www.naperville.squarespace.com in opposition to the parking deck, which the City Council recently voted to build along Jefferson Avenue and Eagle Street.

But the Web site targets local restaurateur and Downtown Naperville Alliance Chairman Jim Bergeron - not the City Council. One poster says Bergeron "is set to turn your own downtown Naperville into Jimmyville" and lists "Jimmy's Top Ten Reasons for Building the Nichols Deck."

Claiming Bergeron exerts "undue influence" on the council, Devane said he thinks Bergeron is the force behind the garage and that if he withdrew his support, the council would follow suit.

"Jimmy is regarding downtown Naperville as his personal play lot," Devane said, comparing Bergeron to Mr. Potter in "It's a Wonderful Life."

Bergeron, who owns Jimmy's Grill and the Brickhouse Pizzeria, both downtown, declined to comment on Devane's attacks, saying he stands by his extensive record of service in the community.

"If people think that is an ethical and professional way to get their point made, that's up to them," Bergeron said. "I'm not going to comment on things that are beneath me."
Student union

Although Devane created the Web site, he said five students - including his 14-year-old son, Mike - are equally passionate about nixing the garage. After meeting student Jennifer Bauman at the last City Council meeting, Chris Devane decided to help his son, Bauman and three other students organize an opposition.

The five students have planned a march to the Municipal Center for Tuesday before the 7 p.m. City Council meeting; Devane spearheaded a similar march Nov. 6.

Christina Strader, a 17-year-old Naperville North High School student, covered the first march for her school newspaper. After talking to some of the dozens of adults and kids who walked from the library to the Municipal Center, she said she began to realize what the issue means to people such as herself.

"It just really struck me that this is a bigger deal than City Council is making it out to be," she said.

Marchers will gather at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Mill Street and Fifth Avenue and work their way downtown.

"The more I talk about this around school and the more I put fliers up, the curiosity of teenagers goes up," Strader said. "My school especially has really responded to this."

Along with Strader, Bauman and Mike Devane, North students Lauren and Candace Kuhn - who are sisters - are spearheading Tuesday's event.

Chris Devane said his objections to the garage are based on aesthetic, cultural and financial reasons.

"The garage is the last stand in downtown Naperville," Devane said. "If they can place that monstrosity on top of the No. 1-ranked library in the country, they can get away with anything."

Parking crunch

But Mike Skarr, president and chief executive officer of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce - which is affiliated with the Downtown Naperville Alliance - said the garage will provide the cheapest parking possible downtown. The deck will provide 458 spaces - an increase of 328 from what exists at the library parking lot - at a cost of around $13.5 million.

"I think we need to do everything we can to avoid additional spending down the road because we didn't take advantage of what we can do now," Skarr said.

And even though the Chamber of Commerce voted on Nov. 6 to support a five-story garage, Skarr said it is up to City Council members to consider Devane's pleas and rethink the garage.

"The ball is really in their court because that's the only way the decision can be changed," Skarr said.

Along with the garage design, which features a plaza at the northwest corner of Jefferson and Eagle, the council voted to eventually expand Nichols. However, no set time for such an expansion was decided.

Skarr also decried Devane's Web site, which Devane created in the last few weeks even though the garage has been in discussion for two years and public forums have been held.

"Personally, I think (the Web site is) disgraceful and a black eye for the community," Skarr said.
Contact Kate R. Houlihan at 630-416-5224 or [e-mail]

Contact Paige Winfield at 630-416-5275 or [e-mail]

[doctorwho]

You mean you're not buying a 14 year old 'passionate' about a parking garage not being built ?

[momof3]

Let's just say I thought the front page by line was interesting:

'Local activist uses Naperville students in battle against downtown parking structure'