Questions how city will pay for sewage plant
Regarding the story “Wise: Crumbling streets, unsafe curbs” printed on Monday, I read Mr. Jim Wise’s comments regarding the city not having a comprehensive plan.
From 2007 through 2009, the city planning and zoning board worked on updating the comprehensive plan originally prepared in 2002. The board looked at making changes to zoning districts, historical designation, streets, parks, recreation trails, and business enhancement. The board planning was halted in July 2009 when the former city administrator announced that there was no money in the budget.
[City Administrator] Wise proposes making street and curb improvements in the downtown business district with a matching grant from the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program.
Many of the streets in Ward 3 are in worse condition than the downtown area, and the whole area around the former GE plant is blighted. However, according to Wise, “We don’t want to create impediments to commerce.”
In 2009, a proposed renovation plan to the city sewage treatment plant was not funded because there was no money in the budget. In October 2012, the city council approved a $16.7 million sewage treatment plant project that will be funded with a 20-year loan through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
How are we going to pay for it, Mr. Wise?
Note to readers – Dave Jindrich is a candidate for mayor.
