Civic Center mooches never seem to learn
Someone wants to build a new hotel next to the Peoria Civic Center. Of course, they want taxpayers to give them some money to do it:
“I would imagine at some point in time there would be some talk about an economic package, but I’m not sure what that would be,” Daly said. “I’ve made it pretty clear (developers) can’t really expect a lot because I don’t think the city of Peoria is going to do a lot.”
[City Council member Chuck] Grayeb agreed.
“Any type of inducement would have to be something the council could live with and justify to the other (Peoria) hotel operators,” Grayeb said. “Otherwise, forget it. There are equity issues here, and we do have to be careful.”
I’ll tell you what the City Council should be willing to “live with” regarding handouts to private developers: Nada. Zinch. Bupkis. A big fat nothing.
We’re talking about a hotel right next to a civic center that is busy almost constantly. If these people cannot figure out how to make a profit without taking money out of our pockets, then they are too stupid to be in business.
They don’t need the taxpayers to foot part of the bill. They want taxpayers to foot part of the bill. That’s a distinction that too many in government can’t seem to grasp. It comes from being too removed from the free market.
I’m absolutely sure that these developers get it.
They would be stupid to not try to get little old ladies to foot the bill for their profit-making ventures. After all, cities like Peoria seem all-too willing to make poor people pay for opera and basketball games that can’t afford to attend.
Don’t get me wrong; giving a corporation money to start a business that will make them millions of dollars in profit is stupid at any time. But Peoria right now cannot even afford adequate fire protection. There are people who live across the street from a fire station who would burn to a crisp waiting for a fire engine to arrive.
To consider this boondoggle right now is both stupid and arrogant.
Remember when Dave Ransburg was holding secret meetings with the Peoria Civic Federation to plans to give away tax money to help renovate Pere Marquette Hotel? Remember the storm of opposition?
Remember what happened to Dave Ransburg, and other council members who supported that boondoggle? They were run out of office.
It’s as true now as it was then. Any council member who votes to give one thin dime to help a private corporation build a hotel needs to be run out of office.
Good God, what an incredibly stupid idea.
And finally, when with the members of the Civic Center Authority stop coming to taxpayers for money to keep this damn albatross afloat. It was supposed to be self sufficient after the intitial bonds were paid off. But these people simply cannot stop thinking of new things they need to do with taxpaper money to make the thing viable.
Were I on the City Council, I would give tell the CCA that once current obligations are met, the Hotel, Restaurant and Amusement taxes would be eliminated. As long as that tax is in effect, these people will never run out of things they need to buy.
It’s time to cut off their allowance.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
what do you care, you moved out of the city and gloat about mooching off its services.
Sarcasm is lost on some people.
didn’t we pay to remodel the Pere, and then were afraid that it would declare bankruptcy? am guessing that would be because the rooms weren’t full, so another hotel?????? hummmm.
Actually, the article doesn’t say that the developers have asked for anything. The CCA guy, probably responding to a reporter’s question, says, “Yeah, I’m sure they’ll ask.” The rest of the article pretty much says that everyone, including Grayeb, is resigned to them not getting anything.
I’d be against the incentive myself. But if you are a hotel developer, wouldn’t you ask? Please don’t make this a story before it is one.
Oh, please. Of course they are going to ask. This is PEORIA. Building anything in this city without asking for some taxpayer cash is like dating the town tramp and being happy with a firm handshake at the end of the evening.
I like the quote “perceived lack of taxpayer interest”.
Perceived??