Normal Council to consider tax breaks for struggling shopping centers

Posted on October 15, 2017

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – The Normal Town Council is being asked to provide tax breaks to the owner of adjacent shopping centers struggling to recover after Dick’s Sporting Goods moved to Bloomington two years ago.

Town staffers are recommending the town rebate up to $800,000 in sales taxes over the next decade to Phillips Edison and Company, which owns Greenbriar Center, where Fresh Market is located, and College Plaza Station, anchored by Bed, Bath and Beyond.

The resolution, considered by the council Monday night, said without the so-called “sales tax sharing” agreements, it is not feasible for Phillips Edison to invest $4.1 million in shopping center upgrades to lure new retailers.

The company is looking to fill the space once occupied by Dick’s, and newly-created spaces caused by the downsizing of Shoe Carnival and Office Depot.

Minus government support, the staff report said vacant retail spaces could remain dark for sometime.

The town government expects new retail activity in both shopping centers would generate $5.1 million in sales tax revenue over ten years, and with the rebate, the town would keep $4.6 million.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…