CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

MAYOR, CITY OF PEKIN

9. How should the City Council invest the remaining Downtown TIF funds?

Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: The City Council should fund a matching grant program that is more aggressive than 50/50. Building owners in the TIF Disrict could use the grants for any TIF-eligible building improvments or maintenance projects tht would improve their budiling and the downtown. In addition, the City could use the TIF balance to fund infrastructure improvements that would attract new development in theTIF district.

Mark A. Luft: TIF Funds – How we invest our remaining DOWNTOWN TIF funds will be extremely important decision. I feel over the last 4 years the council has made solid decisions on the improvements to our downtown area, not only in improving the look of our downtown area but most importantly in the increased occupancy of buildings that were left abandoned for to long. We have gone from 25% occupancy of downtown building to upwards of 75% occupancy.

John McCabe: In the last few years we have witnessed an amazing transformation in the downtown area. I believe that it is important that we continue with this effort. We continue to seek out businesses that have expressed an interest in the downtown area. This, as well as adaptations, such as additional parking, are examples that would allow businesses to thrive. There is still money in the TIF fund and with time running out, it needs to be utilized. I believe that the city council needs to encourage as much development in the downtown TIF district as possible. More businesses will generate more traffic which will generate more tax dollars and even more development.