In a very suspect economy, the revenues within Peoria Heights have continued to grow. Revenues topped 3 MILLION dollars for the first time in the Village for fiscal year 2007-2008. In a community that is bounded on 3 sides by Peoria, and 1 side by the Illinois River, we have to continue to work not only harder, but also smarter, at making sure our revenues continue to grow, if at all possible. That is why the TIF area is so important. That is why it is so important for IDOT, at some point, to allow us to make Galena Road into what it is: an urban street. There is room for commercial growth along Galena Road that will not have a negative impact on neighborhoods. But, until IDOT lowers the speed limit to a reasonable rate; and also puts in one or two signal lights, Galena Road will continue to be a basket case.
I've worked hard at trying to convince IDOT to do the "right thing," but so far, it has turned a deaf ear to my pleadings, along with those who live on or near Galena Road.
Back to the revenues:
Our total revenues came to $3,136,182.19 for fiscal year 2007-2008. In the three years that we’ve been in office, our Village revenues have increased by 26% ! This is not by accident. We’ve taken a proactive stance with working with our businesses; having the Music Fest, Old Glory Days; working with the Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce to bring more business into the Heights, which brings in more sales tax revenue. It’s working, and we’ll continue to make it work, so that more can be done for Peoria Heights.
It needs to be kept in mind that about 90% of the revenues for Peoria Heights comes from sales tax. Very little comes in from property taxes. So, we have to keep working at maintaining and improving a vibrant commercial district, but also have to balance that with maintaining and improving our infrastructure and neighborhoods. We're all in this together. I believe that we have balanced these needs very well over the past three and a half years.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SEEN SO MUCH INFRASTRUCTURE WORK DONE IN ALONG TIME AND THINGS LOOK GREAT. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MAYOR ALLEN
ReplyDeleteMayor Allen, you prove you provide the vision the Heights requires and the leadership to get it done. You are needed for a long time to come. I saw the piece on TIF, I agree it's important, and appreciate you keeping-on on IDOT to do the right thing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping the pressure on IDOT. If anyone can get them to do something about Galena Rd, you can, together with your administration and outcry from the community. Mayhaps a good old fashioned grass roots petition, eh? along with the might of your Mayors voice.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work, Mayor Allen(!)and Congrats(!)on this, I read on pjstar.com, noting that good luck comes from your good leadership:
Peoria Heights continues string of good luck
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Journal Star
Posted Feb 05, 2009 @ 09:12 AM
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Peoria Heights continues string of good luck
Peoria Heights last year continued its run of good fortune with a 5 percent increase in revenue.
"Since 2005, our revenues have gone up 26 percent. We're doing well," Mayor Mark Allen said.
Several new restaurants made their homes in the Heights last year. Heritage Square, a retail development that has been underutilized since it opened, has begun filling up. And the village introduced curbside recycling last year as well.
"We've had a lot of positive feedback from the residents," Allen said. "It's curbside pickup. No sorting. It's an easy way to recycle."
He was most proud to finally pass a tax-increment financing district for Peoria Heights. The village is now preparing requests for proposals to develop it.
"If that takes off, it will really be a boon for Peoria Heights and the area," he said. "We're going to do all we can to make that happen."
His only disappointment last year is that the village still has yet to bring any attention to what it considers a dangerous problem - cars speeding through the Heights on Galena Road just off the McClugage Bridge along the river.
Residents live along the road - school buses even pick up children on it. But motorists treat it like a highway, Allen said.
He'd like to see the speed limit lowered to 35 and a few traffic lights added.
"We would probably have three or four good commercials developments down there if they would do that for us," he said. "And our people would be safer."