"Grants funds will also be used to create an electric experience in Granite City as the city’s ghost neon signs are brought back to life. A block of The District will be transformed into a new experience called “It’s Electric on Route 66” and will include replicas of Route 66 neon signs, a music band stand and EV charging stations. The project will be paid for with $425,000 in grant funds."
This is all too convenient and beneficial to a very small number of people and business owners of the city. And before anyone starts preaching the guidelines of TIFF monies and TIFF districts and the restrictions surrounding these areas, do not forget that at any given time these districts can be reconfigured, and the lines redrawn to accommodate particular needs and wants, so let's not even go there using that as an excuse.
I can roll with the whole Jobe route 66 vibe and that could have been turned into a fantastic idea that could have benefitted the (ENTIRE) city instead of one city block in the old downtown area and a few business owners. Route 66 is a long mother road that goes right past O'Brien's Automotive building. This area seems like the entrance to the city, right where the old IHOP was located, where now sits an empty lot. Why could this route 66 "experience" not have started there as a welcoming and inviting entrance to the city? $425,000 is a great deal of money to work with and for every last penny of this money, once again going to the same area that seems to be the main focus from a person or two with tunnel vision when it comes to investing and growth. I know we elect the council members to make these kinds of decisions for us, but when they keep making these same kinds of decisions never thinking outside of the box, the downtown area box, it's like the new administration isn't really that new after all. A few names have changed, but the same old influences are far too prevalent, and this being allowed to continue will not end favorable for the mayor at election time. The people elected him to bring about change and a huge part of this change was people expecting him to divide his time and efforts and funding and focus to the city as a whole to benefit (ALL) businesses big and small and all neighborhoods, from old to the newer ones. We needed a new vision, with new efforts and new focus and this mayor is being lead down an old path, perhaps it's a comfortable path of least resistance and familiarity and that isn't sitting well with many voters.
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