Tuesday, March 17, 2009 9:18 PM CDT
Shelbyville council hears support, opposition to downtown renovation plans
By SHARON BARRICKLOW, For the JG/T-C
SHELBYVILLE — Concerns over the current economic climate drew a full house to City Hall for a special meeting about a potential million-dollar downtown development project.
The Shelbyville City Council is considering plans to revamp the downtown area with changes including expanded parking, new walkways and additional green spaces.
The group that gathered Monday night included council candidates, garden club members, downtown business owners and citizens concerned that the almost $1 million price tag for the project, even if it is paid for with tax increment financing (TIF) district funds and business district sales tax funds, is too much in today’s economy.
“What started as a good idea has turned into a monster,” said Brent Fogelman, who is unopposed in his bid to become Shelbyville’s public safety commissioner.
He cited other Shelbyville building projects, including a $3 million sewer expansion and $1 million still owed on the city swimming pool as reasons the council should hesitate before beginning another project.
“We have yet to collect the first dollar of tax through the TIF or business district,” Fogelman said.
Councilman Noel Bolinger, who has spearheaded the downtown project, noted that money from the TIF and business districts can’t be spent on anything other than improving those districts. He told Fogelman that he wouldn’t commit to the project until he knew how much money there would be to spend.
“But we should know in a month or so,” Bolinger said. “When we know, we can decide how to spend it.”
Mayor Roy Shuff agreed.
“We’re not going to go into debt until we know the funds are going to be available to do this,” he said.
Jack Tynan, who owns a framing shop downtown, said the project should be delayed because of the current economic climate.
“If you look at downtown, you will see shops where people spend discretionary income,” Tynan said. “We have antique shops, archery and gun shops, quilt shops and the types of businesses that are not necessities. If someone has to spend money either on groceries or getting a picture framed, I think they’re headed to the grocery store.
“I don’t think six months is enough time to decide whether or not we will be able to afford this,” Tynan said.
“We’re not doing this tomorrow,” Bolinger said. “We will take our time. This project could take 25 years. The bottom line is there are people who want Shelbyville to grow and attract new business, and there are people who don’t.”
Contact Sharon Barricklow at sharonhrnews@yahoo.com.
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