McLean County Board approves Normal TIF district expansion

McLean County Board
After raising a few timeline concerns, the McLean County Board supported expanding the TIF district in Uptown Normal. (WJBC File Photo)

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Board approved the expansion of Uptown Normal’s tax increment financing district in a 12-7 vote on Tuesday.

The TIF districts covers parcels between College Avenue, Mulberry Street, and Beaufort Street. Prior to the vote, some county residents and board members expressed concerns over the duration of the TIF district, which will run through 2038. Members argued TIF districts should apply to blighted areas of a town, suggesting Uptown doesn’t need a TIF district in order to see economic growth. Board Chairman John McIntyre said the TIF expansion will help incentivize businesses to come to Normal.

“There are reasons why they want to develop that area as well, to complete their overall town plan,” McIntyre explained. “The Town of Normal has done a tremendous job in developing the plans over the years, and this is just a part for them be able to continue to offer incentives.”

The county would receive payment of redevelopment project costs from property tax revenues at the end of the expansion.

Among those in attendance at the meeting were Normal Mayor Chris Koos and Normal City Manager Pam Reece. Following the meeting, Koos noted the 2007-2008 recession knocked the town off its development schedule. He explained the TIF expansion would help put the town back on track.

“The properties we’re talking about that would be extended, for all practical purposes, are three parcels that are completely undeveloped and are currently not on the tax rolls,” said Koos. “This action would put them back on the tax rolls and get redevelopment on the properties.”

Koos added the town has some work to do in clarifying how the TIF district will benefit economic development.

“We didn’t come in expecting unanimous support for it by any means, I think there was good discussion today,” Koos said. “We’re going to have to do our homework a little more because there were some no votes based on some misconceptions, some things that are not in what we’re asking, so we’ll have to work on that.”

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…