Table of Contents
BLOOMINGTON — Residents continue to speak out against a potential Bloomington Public Library property tax rate increase to help fund a $22.8 million expansion.
The project, which has been in the works for nearly two decades, has received mixed responses. Some residents over the last three weeks have urged the council to vote against approving the property tax rate increase.
“It is a contentious thing when those of us who own property are looking at one more increase in property tax,” Serena Fish said Monday night during the public comment period of the Bloomington City Council meeting. “What I would really like — and what I’m getting from many, many community members — is to please put the library decision on either a ballot decision or referendum and let this community vote on it.”
The city and library are in the process of drafting an intergovernmental agreement that would allow the city to issue up to $17 million in bonds to the library for the project.
A property tax rate increase would allow the library to pay off those bonds with an annual $1.1 million payment over the next 20 years. The library has proposed an approximate .0538% rate increase to help fund its expansion project.
The city and public library have a combined property tax rate that is calculated by dividing the tax levy by the total equalized assessed value, which will not be available until Jan. 1.
The combined property tax levy is $27,038,169 for a combined rate of 1.3568%.
With the tax rate increase, the owner of an average $100,000 home would see a tax increase of $18, which would be reflected on bills starting in May, said Finance Director Scott Rathbun.
On Monday, the city council separated the combined property tax levy for voting purposes.
The council in a 9-0 vote adopted its estimated 2021 property tax levy of $20,920,384, and in a 6-3 vote adopted the library’s estimated $6,117,785 tax levy.
Ward 2 Ald. Donna Boelen, Ward 3 Ald. Sheila Montney, and Ward 5 Ald. Nick Becker voted against adopting the library’s estimated tax levy, which included the property tax rate increase.
The library expansion and subsequent property tax rate increase has been met with mixed reaction among members of the council and Bloomington residents. Some residents say the expansion is needed in order to better serve the community through necessary areas such as a larger computer lab.
Others have called the expansion a “nicety” rather than a necessity, calling on the council to put the project on a backburner.
For nearly two decades the city and library have negotiated over expansion plans for the 44-year-old building. The library was last expanded in 2006 to improve accessibility and programming.
“Literacy today is multi-model, it includes reading, listening, composing, imagining, doing, in ways that were not even possible a decade ago,” said War 9 Ald. Tom Crumpler. “We must ensure our public library is a 21st century facility, that that facility is equipped with the tools and resources to support the shifting needs of all of our residents of this growing community.”
A public hearing regarding the library’s property tax rate increase will be held Dec. 6 prior to a Bloomington City Council meeting. The 2021 tax levy will be adopted during the Dec. 13 council meeting.
20 Bloomington-Normal restaurants we wish would come back
Gil’s Country Inn
Gil’s Country Inn, a longtime, family-owned restaurant in Minier, closed in 2013 after the economy took its toll. The restaurant was particularly known for its fried chicken.
Lancaster’s
Lancaster’s Fine Dining, 513 N. Main St., a downtown Bloomington mainstay for nearly 16 years, closed its doors in August 2014. A struggling economy and the upscale restaurant’s location in a neighborhood of bars were factors.
Bennigan’s
Bennigan’s, which billed itself as an “Irish American Grill & Tavern” closed its Normal location in July 2008 after the chain filed for bankruptcy. The eatery, 115 S. Veterans Parkway, was replaced by Wild Berries, which was later closed and razed. Owner Tartan Realty Group of Chicago now plans to build a four-unit development at the site.
Lox, Stock & Bagel
Lox, Stock & Bagel closed in May 2004 after 22 years at Normal’s College Hills Mall, in tandem with the mall’s conversion to the Shoppes at College Hills.
Zorbas
Zorbas, popular for serving Greek food, gyros and breakfast, closed in 2015 after its location at 603 Dale St., Normal, was sold to a developer. The eatery first opened in 1983 around the corner at 707 S. Main St.
Grand Hotel
The historic Grand Hotel, 1201 E. Emerson St., Bloomington, once served as a winter training quarters for a number of circus acts and was converted into a restaurant in 1937. The property was foreclosed upon by Pontiac National Bank in 2001, sold in 2002 and demolished a few months later.
Mr. Quick Drive-In
The Mr. Quick restaurant at Clinton and Washington streets had its grand opening in January 1966, with burgers starting at 15 cents and coffee for a dime a cup. The restaurant closed in 2001 and the city of Bloomington later bought the site and razed the building so it could widen the intersection.
Chicago Style Pizzeria
Chicago Style Pizzeria, 1500 E. Empire St., Bloomington, closed in 2015 after 22 years in business when owners Abe and Ruth Taha (Abe is pictured above) decided to retire.
Shannon’s Federal Café
Shannon’s Federal Cafe, 105 W. Front St., opened in 1997 after its owners took over the historic Federal Cafe in downtown Bloomington, which closed two years earlier. Shannon’s closed in 2004 because the owners also ran Shannon’s Five Star Restaurant, and the demands of both businesses were too much.
Damon’s Grill
Damon’s – The Place for Ribs opened in 1995 at 1701 Fort Jesse Road, Normal. The eatery closed in 2006 after business had declined; the site is now a CVS pharmacy.
Ned Kelly’s
Australian-themed Ned Kelly’s Steakhouse opened in May 1992 in what was the former location of Bob Knapp’s in the Brandtville Center (now known as Morrissey Crossing). It closed in August 2007 after the company’s four Central Illinois locations were unable to compete with bigger chains.
Arnie’s
Arnie’s was a popular Twin City eatery for 25 years. Located at the Bloomington airport terminal, it closed in 2003, shortly after the Central Illinois Regional Airport moved to its current location about a mile east. A subsequent restaurant, Arnie’s Etc., was open for about a year in the former terminal building, until it closed in 2005.
Diamond Dave’s
Diamond Dave’s, a mainstay at the former College Hills Mall for 21 years, closed its doors in June 2004 in tandem with the gutting of the mall to create what is now the Shoppes at College Hills.
Jerry’s Grille
Jerry’s Grille opened in 1999 in Bloomington’s Brandtville shopping center, taking over the spot used by another eatery, Henry Wellington. It closed it 2005 and then became Goodfellas, which also closed.
Golden West
After 33 years in the heart of Normal, Golden West closed in 2002, after the owners received a surprise offer for the site and decided it was time to sell. The building, 712 S, Kingsley St., was later resold to Tartan Realty and demolished in 2003.
Ming’s Restaurant
After eight years at 407 N. Hershey Road, Bloomington, Ming’s closed in 2012. The eatery was facing foreclosure at the time.
Central Station
The former Central Station restaurant in downtown Bloomington, once a firehouse in days gone by, is now home to Epiphany Farms Restaurant and Anju Above.
Chevys Fresh Mex
Chevys Fresh Mex, 704 S. Eldorado Road, Bloomington, closed in 2011 after being open nearly nine years. The site has also been home to several other restaurants, including a House of Hunan, Shakey’s Pizza and Butterfields.
The Caboose
The Caboose, a historic Bloomington eatery at 608 W. Seminary St., closed without fanfare in February 2012. The restaurant, with several owners and names including Chuck’s Caboose and Barney’s Caboose, had been a west-side fixture for more than 60 years.
Delgado’s
Delgado’s, a popular Mexican restaurant at 201 Landmark Drive, Normal, closed in May 2005 after after 24 years in business. It is now the location of Los Potrillos.
Contact Sierra Henry at 309-820-3234. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_sierrahenry.
https://pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/watch-now-bloomington-library-plan-faces-concerns-from-residents/article_baed3c44-aebc-53fd-885f-21909e40534b.html
