City Spotlight
Charleston and Mattoon In Focus, Part 1
Season 2 Episode 23 | 28m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Upcoming projects and new economic development in Charleston and Mattoon.
Part 1 of Charleston and Mattoon In Focus, which was from a live airing on WEIU-TV. Included in the show are Charleston Mayor Brandon Combs, Charleston City Manager Scott Smith, Mattoon Mayor Tim Gover, and Mattoon City Administrator Kyle Gill. Discussed in the show are upcoming projects and new economic development in Charleston and Mattoon, IL.
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City Spotlight is a local public television program presented by WEIU
City Spotlight
Charleston and Mattoon In Focus, Part 1
Season 2 Episode 23 | 28m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Part 1 of Charleston and Mattoon In Focus, which was from a live airing on WEIU-TV. Included in the show are Charleston Mayor Brandon Combs, Charleston City Manager Scott Smith, Mattoon Mayor Tim Gover, and Mattoon City Administrator Kyle Gill. Discussed in the show are upcoming projects and new economic development in Charleston and Mattoon, IL.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>Rameen Karbassioon: Coming up on City Spotlight, its part one of Charleston and Mattoon in Focus, with the mayor of Charleston, Brandon Combs, Charleston City Manager Scott Smith, Mattoon Mayor Tim Gover, and Mattoon City Administrator Kyle Gill.
We will discuss upcoming projects in Charleston and Mattoon, plus what new businesses will be coming to both communities.
That s next on City Spotlight.
[music plays] City Spotlight is supported by Consolidated Communications.
CCI is honored to salute the cities and their leaders in the area, as well as providing TV, Internet, and phone service for the local homes and businesses.
We live where we work, and are proud to support the communities we serve.
More information available at consolidated.com.
BOTH TOWNS HERE IN THE END OF APRIL HAD THEIR SECOND CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
SO LET'S BOTH START WITH CHARLESTON FIRST AND BRANDON AND SCOTT, THE 2016-17 BUDGET WAS ON THE AGENDA.
WHAT TRANSPIRED AT LAST TUESDAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING?
>>WE PUT OUR BUDGET ON FILE BACK IN MARCH, AND WE TYPICALLY LIKE TO HAVE OUR BUDGET ON FILE FOR FOUR WEEKS, APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS OR AT LEAST TWO COUNCIL MEETING LAYOVER PERIOD.
SO AT OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING WE APPROVED FISCAL YEAR '16-17 BUDGET.
>> WITH STATE OF ILLINOIS BUDGET SITUATION, AND A NEW YEAR, WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU HAVE WITH PUTTING THAT BUDGET TOGETHER?
>> WELL, WE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT MODIFICATIONS OR CHANGES IN THE REVENUE STREAMS, SHARED REVENUES FROM SPRINGFIELD.
SO THE MAYOR AND I, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OF OUR KEY STAFF, HAVE BEEN MONITORING THE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES IN SPRINGFIELD, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE ANY CHANGES RELATIVE TO THE REVENUE STREAMS, CHARLESTON, MATTOON, ALL MUNICIPALITIES BENEFIT FROM, IF THAT WILL BE MODIFIED IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM AND WHAT IMPLICATIONS THAT WILL HAVE ON OUR BUDGET.
LAST TIME YOU WERE ON THE PROGRAM RECENTLY, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEING A SUMMER OF OR YEAR OF SIDEWALKS, FOCUS LIKE PROJECTS AND SIDEWALKS, AND GO INTO THAT LITTLE BIT AGAIN.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT AT OUR ANNUAL PLANNING RETREAT, AND AGAIN DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE THIS YEAR, IS LIKE ANY MUNICIPALITIES, SAME WITH MATTOON, YOU KNOW, THE LITTLE PROJECTS, SOMETIME HAVE A TENDENCY TO GET ON A LAUNDRY LIST, AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES AWHILE TO GET BACK TO THOSE.
LAST YEAR, WE HAD A BIG PROJECT ON HARRISON STREET WHERE WE INTERNAL REBUILT ENTIRE SECTION OF STREET FROM GROUND UP FROM FOURTH STREET OVER TO SIXTH STREET.
IT WAS A PROJECT ON THE CITY'S LONG RANGE PLAN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
I NOW KNOW WHY BECAUSE IT WAS PRETTY DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING.
A LOT OF EARTH MOVING.
A LOT OF RETAINING WALL WORK AND JUST REALLY CHALLENGING CONDITIONS FOR US.
SO THIS SUMMER, WE ARE FOCUSING A LOT ON STREET AND SIDEWALK REPAIRS.
WE HAVE GOT A WATER MAIN PROJECT UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW ON TENTH STREET.
JUST A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SIDEWALK WORK ACTUALLY.
>> BRANDON, YOU ARE COMING UP ONE YEAR ALMOST OF BEING THE MAYOR OF CHARLESTON.
FROM LOOKING AT THE CITY BUDGET FOR MOVING FORWARD THIS YEAR, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO?
>> WELL, REALLY WASN'T ANYTHING SPECIFICALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO.
IT IS STILL LITTLE BIT MORE OF A LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT THIS LEVEL.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU FROM BEING A BUSINESS OWNER MYSELF AND BEING AROUND BUDGETS AND DOING WHEN I WAS ON THE CHAMBER AND SOME OTHER BOARDS, SCOTT AND HEATHER AND REST OF THE TEAM, THEY DO A PHENOMENAL JOB.
I MEAN I CAN'T SAY GOOD ENOUGH THINGS ABOUT HOW THEY WATCH EVERYTHING THAT GOES THIS AND OUT AND I MEAN THEY RUN IT VERY, VERY WELL.
SO MAKES MY JOB ON THIS END EASIER WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH A STRONG TEAM LIKE WE HAVE.
WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT CHARLESTON IN A LITTLE BIT WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
LET'S BRING TIM AND KYLE INTO THE CONVERSATION.
MATTOON AS WELL, LAST TUESDAY HAD THEIR SECOND CITY MEETING FOR APRIL.
BUDGET WAS ON THE AGENDA.
WHAT TRANSPIRED ON TUESDAY?
>> VERY SIMILAR AT END OF MARCH WE PUT IT ON FILE.
FIRST MEETING IN APRIL, APRIL 5, I HAD A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE COUNCIL MEETING AND WENT THROUGH IT LAST TUESDAY NIGHT, WE APPROVED IT, HAD SURPLUS OF 48,000.
LITTLE BIT OF STRUGGLE FIRST AFTER EVERYBODY'S WISH LIST.
WE HAD TO MAKE QUITE A FEW CUTS, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO DO SO, PUT IT IN SURPLUS, AND LIKE BRANDON SAID ABOUT HIS STAFF, OUR STAFF WORKED REALLY WELL IN IDENTIFYING WHAT WAS NECESSITY THIS YEAR, WHAT COULD BE PUT OFF ANOTHER YEAR, WHAT WAS KIND OF A WISH LIST.
SO WE WERE ABLE TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE AND GET WITH $48,000 SURPLUS.
>> TIM, IF I CAN ASK YOU, IT IS A NEW YEAR, A NEW BUDGET.
I THINK EVERYBODY IS ANTICIPATING TO LOOK AND SEE HOW IT WILL TURNOUT, WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU SEE WITH THIS YEAR'S BUDGET?
>> AS KYLE SAID, WE HAVE A LOT OF -- HAD TO DO SOME CUTTING.
ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE, OF COURSE, BETWEEN WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN FROM SPRINGFIELD.
AND WE ARE HOPING THAT OUR SOURCES OF REVENUE FROM THE STATE WILL NOT BE CUT, BUT UNTIL WE GET A STATE BUDGET, WHICH WHO KNOWS WHEN THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, WE ARE JUST GOING WITH KEEPING OUR FINGERS CROSSED, LET ME PUT IT THAT WAY, THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANY CHANGES OR ANY MONEY THAT THEY WILL TAKE.
NOW HAVING SAID THAT, WE GOT A NOTICE THE OTHER DAY AS CHARLESTON DID, THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY BACK $65,000 TO THE STATE.
>> AND WHEN THAT NEWS COMES DOWN TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHERE YOU FIND OUT AND ALMOST FEEL LAST.
SECOND THING, OH, WE OWE SOME MONEY BACK TO SPRINGFIELD.
WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THAT?
>> I DON'T THINK I CAN SAY ON AIR.
(LAUGHING) >> THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE.
>> AS FAR AS SOMETHING ELSE WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT INVOLVING MONIES, YOU HAVE MONIES FROM VIDEO GAMING.
>>RIGHT.
>> SO HOW DO THOSE HELP WITH THE BUDGET AND HOW DO YOU FORECAST THOSE, KYLE?
>> OUR COUNCIL DID A VERY GOOD JOB WHEN THEY FIRST CAME OUT WITH THE VIDEO GAMING FUNDS THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO JUST LET IT GO INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT GOT SPENT ON PROJECTS THAT ARE ON ITEMS THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE AS A CITY IN THE PAST, AND JUST IN THIS CASE, IF THE STATE EVER TOOK ANY MONEY AWAY FROM US, THAT MONEY WASN'T ALREADY PUT IN THE GENERAL FUND SO TO SPEAK AS SALARIES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
WE DIVIED IT UP IN THE FIVE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES, YOU KNOW, PAYING EXTRA TOWARDS PENSIONS, DEMOLITIONS, UPKEEP OF BUILDINGS, PART OF IT GOES TO THE RESERVES, AND THEN THE LAST SECTION SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT THAT WE WOULDN'T BUY.
>> VERY GOOD.
THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION ON THE BUDGET.
LET'S STICK WITH MATTOON AND TALK ABOUT UPCOMING PROJECTS YOU GUYS HAVE GOING ON.
LETS A START WITH MARSHAL AVENUE ROADWORK.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WILL BE STARTING VERY SOON.
>> ONCE SCHOOL IS OUT, IT WILL.
AND THAT WILL BE A THREE YEAR PROJECT.
KYLE CAN PROBABLY--KNOWS MORE ABOUT IT THAN I DO.
>> MARSHAL, SIXTH AND NINTH, WHEN SCHOOL LETS OUT, WE STARTED THE BIDS.
LOCAL CONTRACTOR IS THE LOW BIDDER.
WE WILL MAKE SURE ALL THE I'S ARE DOTTED AND T'S ARE CROSSED AND HOPEFULLY HE WILL START AS SOON AS SCHOOL GETS OUT AND HOPEFULLY COMPLETED BEFORE SCHOOL IS BACK IN.
>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THE INTERSECTION OF NINTH AND MARSHAL COMPLETED BECAUSE THAT IS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE THAT GOES DOWN TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND WILLIAMS SCHOOL.
SO THAT WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS AND THEN NEXT YEAR WE WILL GO FROM NINTH TO I BELIEVE 14TH STREET, AND THEN THE FOLLOWING YEAR WE WILL GO FROM 14TH STREET TO 17TH STREET.
THE WHOLE STREET WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED.
>> I WAS THERE RECENTLY TO GET SOME VIDEO.
DEFINITELY A LOT OF TRAFFIC.
SO BARRING ANY BAD WEATHER, HOPEFULLY IT GETS DONE ON TIME.
LET'S TALK ABOUT HERITAGE PARK OVER AT 17TH AND BROADWAY.
IT IS A PROJECT THAT WE HAVE MENTIONED RECENTLY.
WHERE IS THAT PROJECT GOING?
>> IT HAS ACTUALLY BEGUN CONSTRUCTION ALREADY.
THEY ARE THEY ARE MOVING QUITE WELL.
CITY DID SOME OF THEIR PORTIONS IN THE ALLEY ALREADY, AND NOW MAIN CONTRACTOR IS IN THERE MOVING DIRT, PUTTING IN THE CISTERNS FOR THE WATER FEATURE.
PROGRESS IS MOVING VERY WELL ON THAT.
>> VERY GOOD.
AND STICKING IN THAT AREA, GUYS, WHEN WE TALKED BRIEFLY BEFORE, THIS AIRING HERE IS MORE ARTS IN THE DOWNTOWN.
ANYTHING YOU CAN ELABORATE ON THAT, MORE ARTS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
>> ARTS AND TOURISM, THEY ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB.
THEY KEEP BRINGING MORE AND MORE THINGS UP.
ACTUALLY, I BELIEVE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS -- I THINK IT IS THIS COMING WEEKEND, THEY WILL BE HAVING SOME LITTLE PLAYS ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY EVENINGS.
YES, THEY ARE DOING REALLY WELL OF GETTING MORE USE OF WHAT WE HAVE THE EL ROOM AND TRAIN DEPOT.
IT IS MORE EXCITING TO DRAW PEOPLE TO THE DOWNTOWN.
WE HOPE TO HAVE A MURAL ON THE SIDE OF THAT BUILDING WHICH SOME PEOPLE REFER TO AS THE THRIFTY BUILDING OR THE BANK BUILDING THERE JUST TO THE EAST OF THE DEPOT.
>> VERY GOOD.
BEAUTIFUL MURALS IN DOWNTOWN MATTOON.
LET'S TALK ABOUT NORTH SIXTH STREET, WASTE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY THAT INVOLVES SEWERS.
>> THAT IS A BIG PROJECT THAT WAS KIND OF FORCED UPON US THROUGH THE I.E.P.A., BUT IT IS COMBINED SEWER STORM WATER OVERFLOW.
WE HAD TO DO THIS SATELLITE TREATMENT FACILITY TO HELP SEPARATE THAT AND TREAT THE WATER, AND IT IS VERY LARGE PROJECT THAT WILL BE HOPEFULLY DONE TOWARDS OF END OF THIS YEAR, ABOUT $20 MILLION PROJECT, PROBABLY ACTUALLY $18 MILLION PROJECT.
BUT VERY COSTLY, BUT IT IS WELL -- YOU KNOW, IT IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO TREAT THAT WATER BEFORE IT GOES INTO THE CREEKS.
>> HAD TO BE DONE.
TIM, WE HAVE TALKED A COUPLE TIMES NOW ABOUT OVER 14TH STREET ACROSS FROM THE POST OFFICE, FORMER YOUNG RADIATOR PLANT.
THAT DEMOLITION HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
WHERE ARE THINGS MOVING WITH THAT?
>> IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
PARTS OF BUILDINGS THAT WERE STILL THERE, BUT THOSE HAVE BEEN REMOVED.
THERE IS STILL PART OF A FENCE THAT IS THERE THAT I'D LIKE TO GET REMOVED BECAUSE ALL IT IS DOING IS COLLECTING TRASH.
BUT WE ARE WORKING WITH THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY, AND HOPEFULLY HE WILL ALLOW THAT TO BE REMOVED OR WILL ACTUALLY REMOVE IT.
SO WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO HAVE THAT.
IT HAS BEEN A PROJECT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, AND MANY PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN GETTING THAT DONE.
SO I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THAT.
>> SATISFACTORY PROJECT.
LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING WE HAVE ALSO TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE OF TIMES, THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING.
FIRST OF ALL, IT IS KIND OF A TWO-PART QUESTION REMIND FOLKS AT HOME WHERE THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING WILL BE, AND ONCE THAT IS UP AND RUNNING WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE CURRENT PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING?
>> NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING WILL BE EAST OF LOGAN ON DEWITT AVENUE, KIND OF EAST OF MERVIS RECYCLING.
WE HOPE TO HAVE IT UNDER ROOF BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
IT IS A GOOD PROJECT.
WEATHER HAS BEEN A LITTLE WET THIS SPRING.
SO WE ARE HOPING THAT THINGS DRY OUT AND WE CAN GET STARTED.
ONCE WE GET THAT ONE COMPLETED, WE DO HAVE THE OLD PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING THAT IS GOING TO BE SLATED TO BE TORN DOWN AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE OUR BIKE TRAIL GO THROUGH THAT PROPERTY AND EXTEND IT TO THE YMCA.
>> ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES WHERE WE ARE PUTTING THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING, IT ADJOINS OUR YARD WASTE FACILITY.
IN THE FUTURE, IF WE NEED TO EXPAND, WE CAN EXPAND INTO THAT AREA.
SO IT IS A GOOD PROJECT THERE.
I THINK THAT'S A GOOD LOCATION FOR IT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE EXPANSION POSSIBILITIES.
>> AND THE CURRENT FACILITY IS 12TH AND RICHMOND?
>> CORRECT.
>> VERY GOOD.
LET'S GO OVER BY THE MALL.
I UNDERSTAND DENNY'S RESTAURANT WILL BE IN THE FORMER PONDEROSA.
>> YES.
>> TELL US ABOUT THAT.
>> THEY CAME IN AND PULLED PERMITS.
THEY ARE ACTUALLY STARTING TO DO SOME WORK ON THE OUTSIDE.
EVERYBODY IS ASKING "IS IT STILL ON?
IS IT STILL ON?"
THEY HAVE BEEN DOING WORK ON THE INSIDE AND HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH.
YES, THEY HAVE STARTED WORK ON THE OUTSIDE.
WE ARE HOPING TOWARDS THE END OF MAY THAT THEY WILL BE OPENING UP THEIR DOORS FOR PEOPLE TO GO IN THERE AND EAT.
>> PLENTY OF PLACES TO EAT AROUND THAT AREA.
ONE MORE LITTLE BIT OF VARIETY.
I UNDERSTAND YOU BOTH MENTIONED TO ME THERE IS A NEW OWNER AT THE FORMER DAY'S INN?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
YOUNG COUPLE BROUGHT THE DAYS INN AND GOING TO REHAB IT.
WE WISH THEM THE BEST OF SUCCESS.
I AM GOING ALL OVER THE PLACE.
YOU CAN'T MISS THE WORK AT KC DEALERSHIP.
FEELS LIKE THE PLACE IS DOUBLING.
WHAT IS THE TIMETABLE ON THEIR COMPLETION OF THEIR NEW ADDITION?
>> I AM NOT SURE THERE IS A TIMETABLE.
>> I AM NOT QUITE SURE EITHER.
BUT I WOULD SAY PROBABLY IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS THAT THEY WILL BE PRETTY CLOSE.
THEY ARE ACTUALLY WORKING ON GETTING THEIR SIGNS PUT UP FOR THE GMC DEALERSHIP.
IT IS ALL ENCLOSED NOW.
THEY ARE WORKING ON THE CONCRETE LOT IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING, JUST A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL BUILDING AND NICE ASSET FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
>> VERY LARGE IN SIZE.
I GUESS SOME MORE AUTOMOTIVE NEWS, AUTOMOTIVE SECTION OF MATTOON RIGHT HERE, MATTOON TIRE AND AUTO WAS BOUGHT ON LAKE LAND BOULEVARD.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US THERE?
>> ROY SMITH, THE HONDA DEALERSHIP DOWN IN EFFINGHAM HAD BOUGHT THE PROPERTY.
I THINK HE IS PUTTING USED CARS SALES THERE.
IT WOULD BE A NICE ASSET TO THAT SOUTH END.
I THINK HE WILL BE EXPANDING THE PARKING AREA, HAVE MORE USED CARS THERE, AND IT IS JUST HOPEFULLY HELPS SPUR MORE DEVELOPMENT ON DOWN SOUTH.
>> ONE THING I WANT TO ASK YOU BECAUSE MAYBE A FEW PEOPLE ARE CURIOUS, I AM CURIOUS, THE CURRENT CODY'S, THERE BY THE INTERSTATE.
YOU HAVE SEEN MANY CARS THERE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING, MAYBE THERE IS THINGS YOU CAN'T SAY, BUT WHAT GOING ON WITH THAT?
IT IS STILL CURRENTLY CODY'S.
>> ACTUALLY, THEY JUST CLOSED LAST FRIDAY.
>> OKAY.
>> ON FUJIYAMA'S DOWN IN EFFINGHAM, THAT SAME OWNER BOUGHT IT AND PLANS TO OPEN THAT UP, AND HOPEFULLY OPEN BY CHRISTMAS.
HE HAS I BELIEVE NINE STORES AROUND CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.
I BELIEVE THERE IS ONE IN EFFINGHAM, EFFINGHAM, MATTOON CONNECTION WITH A COUPLE OF BUSINESSES GOING THERE.
I WANT TO ASK YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC AREA, DOES ALL THE BUSINESSES BY INTERSTATE, EAST PART OF MATTOON, IS THERE STILL ROOM FOR GROWTH IN THAT AREA?
IS THAT AN AREA YOU ARE TARGETING WITH ALL YOU HAVE SEEN THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES, ALL THESE BUSINESSES, IS THAT A PLACE YOU CAN STILL CONTINUE TO LOOK?
>> YES, MOST DEFINITELY ACTUALLY.
THE MAJORITY OF THE LAND AROUND THAT AREA HAS JUST SOLD RECENTLY TO A NEW -- FOR A NEW BUYER, AND THEN THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO JUST ENTERTAINING, TRYING TO BUY SOME LAND OFF OF THE NEW OWNER.
SO HOPEFULLY, SOMETHING WILL COME OF IT.
YOU NEVER KNOW.
IT IS ALL PRELIMINARY.
IT IS A GOOD AREA.
THERE IS WATER AND SEWER OUT THERE.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE SOME DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS IN THAT AREA.
>> VERY GOOD.
I THINK WE TOUCHED ALL POINTS OF MATTOON.
KYLE AND TIM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
LET'S GET BRANDON AND SCOTT IN.
YOU HAVE PLENTY ON YOUR PLATE.
I WANT TO START WITH THE DOMINO'S LOCATION.
FORMER DOMINOES, I NOTICED DEMOLITION GOING ON THERE FRIDAY THE 22ND.
WHAT GOING ON THERE WITH THAT PROJECT?
>> NEW OWNER ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY.
I THINK THEY CLOSED ON THE PROPERTY BACK IN FEBRUARY.
AND DRAKE, DENNIS DRAKE WAS IN THERE ON FRIDAY.
BY THE TIME I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, HE ALREADY HAD THE BUILDING DOWN.
DIDN'T TAKE HIM VERY LONG.
HE SPENT A FEW DAYS HERE OVER THE WEEKEND GETTING ALL THE CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS REMOVED, DIGGING OUT THE ORIGINAL PARKING AREA, AND THEN BUILDING THE BASE THAT WILL BECOME THE NEW HOME TO THE NEW DOMINOES.
>> AND, BRANDON, THAT DOMINOES LOCATION, SEEMS LIKE VACANT FOREVER TO HAVE SOMETHING GO UP THERE AND THAT HAS TO BE A MAJOR PLUS.
>> IT IS A HUGE PLUS.
DIRECTLY RIGHT THERE CONNECTED TO THE UNIVERSITY, ACROSS THE STREET FROM OLD MAIN, AND THAT OTHER BUILDING HAS BEEN THERE EMPTY FOR AWHILE AN EYESORE.
IT WILL BE GREAT TO SEE THE NEW BUILDING.
PICTURE WAS PUT IN THE PAPER, EVERYONE CAN SEE, THERE WILL BE SEATING IN THERE, I BELIEVE 20 SEATS.
YOU KNOW A NEW LOOK ON THE CORNER, AND IT WILL BE JUST A FANTASTIC PROJECT.
>> AND SOMETHING THAT WILL BE OPEN BY -- DO I HEAR FALL IS WHAT I READ?
>> YEAH, I THINK THE OWNERS WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE THE NEW DOMINOES OPENED BY THE TIME THE STUDENTS RETURN IN THE FALL FOR THE FALL SEMESTER.
BUT IN TALKING WITH HIM, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH JUST GIVEN THE CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE THAT MORE THAN LIKELY GOING TO BE OPEN PROBABLY CLOSER TO LABOR DAY OR MAYBE RIGHT AROUND IN THERE SOMETIME.
>> ANOTHER BUSINESS COMING TO CHARLESTON, ALDI'S IS COMING TO CHARLESTON, WHERE IT IS THAT LOCATION AND WHEN WOULD MIGHT WE SEE THAT?
>> THEY HAVE ALREADY, YEAH, THEY HAVE ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY, JUST RECENTLY ACQUIRED THAT PROPERTY FROM STEVE DRAKE.
IT IS GOING TO BE RIGHT OFF HAWTHORN AT THE CORNER OF HAWTHORN DRIVE AND LINCOLN AVENUE.
IT WILL BE DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM WAL-MART AND FOR SOME LOCAL FOLKS, ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE ADAMS FUNERAL CHAPEL.
AND THEY ARE HOPING TO GET UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN MAY AND WOULD LIKE TO BE OPEN LATE THIS FALL.
>> TIM, MAY ASK THIS QUESTION LATER BUT A PHRASE, SCOTT, YOU WERE USING DURING THE TAPING OF THIS PROGRAM, CHARLESTON IS BECOMING A WAGON WHEEL WITH DIFFERENT PIECES, ALDI'S ON EAST SIDE OF TOWN, WHERE YOU HAVE NOT ONLY THE RESIDENTS CAN BENEFIT FROM, BUT SOME OF THE OTHER OUT LYING TOWNS.
MAYBE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.
>> I THINK ONE OF THE ATTRACTIVE ASPECTS, THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION FOR ALDI'S IS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF FOLKS FROM CHARLESTON THAT DO DRIVE TO MATTOON TO SHOP AT ALDI'S.
THEY FELT LIKE THERE WAS SOME OPPORTUNITIES ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE COUNTY THAT THEY COULD ATTRACT TO A CHARLESTON LOCATION.
SO I THINK THEY SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ATTRACT SOME MORE FOLKS FROM ASHMORE, FROM OAKLAND, MAYBE FROM DOWN IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHARLESTON.
I THINK THEY SEE THIS AS A GROWTH POTENTIAL FOR THE EAST SIDE OF COLES COUNTY AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT FURTHER, AND, OF COURSE, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMMUTING BACK AND FORTH FROM CHARLESTON TO THE EAST SIDE OF THE COUNTY, AND THEY WILL STOP THERE ON THEIR WAY HOME.
BUT THEY DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE THEY WILL ATTRACT SOME CUSTOMERS THAT WOULD MAYBE COME IN AND SHOP AT THE WAL-MART, BUT WILL ALSO SHOP AT ALDI.
YOU WILL NOTICE THEY LIKE TO BE NEAR A SUPER CENTER AREA LIKE A WAL-MART CENTER.
YOU WILL FIND THAT THEY ARE USUALLY PRETTY CLOSE BY.
ONE IN CHAMPAIGN IS IN FRONT OF THE ONE ON PROSPECT.
>> THESE WHAT I WAS PICTURING.
>> OUR STORE WILL LOOK SIMILAR TO THE STORE IN CHAMPAIGN.
NEARBY THAT, WE HAVE WINDY CITY PIZZA.
WHAT IS THAT?
>>THERE IS A NEW PIZZA RESTAURANT THAT WILL BE GOING IN RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE PILSON'S AUTOMOTIVE CENTER AT LINCOLN AND ROUTE 130.
SO I ALWAYS CALLED ARROW TRAVEL CENTER BEING A CHARLESTON PERSON, AND SO -- BUT THEY WILL BE LOCATING THERE, BE IN THERE WITH I BELIEVE SECUS IS THERE, AND HAIR SALON ON THE BACKSIDE OF THAT AS WELL.
I KNOW THE FACILITY, THE AREA VERY WELL.
GAS STATIONS THAT MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS, BUT I WANT TO GET TO 18TH STREET AND THINGS GOING ON WITH 18TH STREET.
SOME THINGS YOU WILL WANT TO TALK ABOUT BE AND I COULD LIST THE THINGS WE TALKED BEFOREHAND, BUT IF YOU GUYS WANT TO GO AHEAD AND WHEREVER YOU WANT TO START ON 18TH STREET, WHAT ARE THE THINGS GOING ON IN 18TH STREET.
WE MAY NEED AN HOUR TO TALK ABOUT THAT (LAUGHING).
>> THIS IS AMAZING SEEING THE GROWTH ON 18TH STREET.
YOU CAN START AT EITHER END, REX DAWN, IT IS PHENOMENAL LOOKING.
>> MY DAUGHTER ACTUALLY ASKED ME "WHAT IS THAT?"
>> IT IS GORGEOUS.
AS YOU GO ON, THERE IS CASEY'S, NEXT TO ALBIN, A GROUNDBREAKING I AM GOING TO NEXT WEEK, A MEMORY CARE FACILITY?
THEN CASEY'S, WINDY CITY PIZZA.
AS WE GO ON DOWN, WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY THE HUGE DEVELOPMENT THAT IS GOING DOWN THERE BY THE PHILLIPS FAMILY AND 18TH STREET GARDEN CENTER.
THERE IS -- DID I MISS ANY?
>> I THINK YOU GOT THEM ALL.
THERE IS JUST A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON, ON 18TH STREET.
AND I GET THE QUESTION "WHY 18TH STREET?"
RIGHT PLACE.
RIGHT TIME.
PROPERTY THERE IS PRICED RIGHT.
WHEN PROPERTY IS PRICED RIGHT, I GIVE A LOT OF PROPS TO MR. RUNYON THERE, TOO, BECAUSE HE ORGANIZED, HELPED ORGANIZE THE 18TH STREET BLOCK PARTY AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THAT'S JUST DRAWN A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THAT AREA.
NOW WE SEE IT -- YOU KNOW, IT IS BOOMING.
MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ALONG 18TH STREET.
>> SCOTT, YOU HAD MENTIONED THE REVITALIZATION OF THE 18TH STREET CORRIDOR.
I THINK YOU SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT YOU HAD BEEN AT A RETREAT, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE NEED TO FOCUS ON 18ING STREET.
MAYBE EXPLAIN THAT.
>> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE REDEVELOPMENT OF 18TH STREET.
WE ACTUALLY TOSSED AROUND THE IDEA OF AN ADDITIONAL T.I.F.
DISTRICT OR MAYBE A BUSINESS DISTRICT ALONG 18TH STREET, AND AS SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES STARTED TO LOOK AT 18TH STREET FOR POSSIBLE EXPANSION OR GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES, SOME OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS WERE HAD WITH SOME OF THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS.
BUT THERE WAS NOT A T.I.F.
OVERLAY OR BUSINESS DISTRICT OVERLAY, AND ALL OF THE ACTIVITY HAS REALLY GONE ON WITHOUT ANY OF THOSE TYPES OF INCENTIVES.
BUT I KNOW I GREW UP REAL CLOSE TO 18TH STREET, ACTUALLY BEHIND WHAT USED TO BE CALLED THE OLD FOUNTAIN BLEW.
FOR ME, PERSONALLY, I CAN REMEMBER THE CHECKERED GAS STATION.
I CAN REMEMBER HERITAGE HOUSE, TASTY FREEZE AND ALL THOSE PLACES THERE ON 18TH STREET.
I RAN AROUND IN THOSE ALL DAY EVERY DAY AFTER SCHOOL.
TO SEE WHAT HAS OCCURRED ON 18TH STREET IS TREMENDOUS.
I AGREE WITH THE MAYOR.
STEVE RUNYON, BIKE AND HIKE FOLKS, 18TH STREET GARDEN SHOP, TWICE AS NICE, EVERY ONE DOWN THROUGH THERE, THE BANK, EVERYBODY DOWN THERE HAS GOTTEN REALLY INVOLVED WITH THIS 18TH STREET FESTIVAL, AND IF YOU COME DOWN THERE WHEN THAT FESTIVAL IS GOING ON, YOU WILL FIND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DOWN THERE WALKING THE STREET, CHECK OUT ALL BUSINESSES.
THERE IS FOOD.
THERE IS VENDORS.
IT IS JUST A REALLY GOOD ATMOSPHERE, VERY WELL ATTENDED, AND I THINK THAT HAS REALLY HELPED GENERATE A LOT OF INTEREST FOR THOSE OPENERS OF THOSE PROPERTIES ALONG 18TH STREET.
VERY ATTRACTIVE.
AGAIN, IT IS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE.
THERE IS A LOT OF ACTIVITY ON ROUTE 130.
REALLY ALWAYS HAS BEEN.
SO I THINK THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME SUCCESS WITH EXPANSION OF CASEY'S, GAVINA GRAPHICS BUILT THEIR NEW ADDITION.
I FORGOT THAT ONE.
I APOLOGIZE TO THE FOLKS.
THAT IS HUGE EXPANSION I MIGHT ADD.
AND OBVIOUSLY FOR CASEY'S TO EXPAND.
THEY WOULDN'T EXPAND IF THEY WEREN'T PROFITABLE AND AT THAT LOCATION.
REX OFFICE.
NEW INTERCONNECTION TO THE LAKE TRAILS OVER TO SISTER CITY PARK, A NUMBER OF THINGS, AND, AGAIN, LIKE THE MAYOR MENTIONED, PROJECT THAT REGGIE AND HIS FAMILY AT THE CORNER OF HARRISON AND ROUTE 130 THERE IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE.
THEY ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW, AND A LOT OF WORK THERE, IN JUST THE LAST 60 DAYS.
JUST A LOT HAPPENING DOWN THERE.
>> VERY BUSY TO SAY THE LEAST.
LET'S GO DOWN 130, 18TH STREET A LITTLE BIT AND TALK ABOUT LAKE CHARLESTON.
IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS ALWAYS A GROUP ON THE WEEKENDS THAT IS OUT THERE HELPING CLEAN THE TRAILS.
SO TALK ABOUT THE SUDDEN MOVEMENT TOWARD THE TRAILS AT LAKE CHARLESTON.
>> ONE OF THINGS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, HONESTLY IT WAS A BIT OF A DREAM WITH OUR PARK BOARD AND COUNCIL, A LOT OF OUR LONG RANGE PLANNING RETREATS WAS THIS IDEA OF GETTING A WALKING TRAIL ALL THE WAY AROUND LAKE CHARLESTON.
WON THAT BE COOL THIS WE USED TO SIT AROUND AND TALK ABOUT THAT, KIND OF LAUGH ABOUT IT, AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TEN YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF LAND ACQUISITIONS, WOODRUFF TRACK, PROPERTY AT THE PLANT, AND OTHER PIECES AND PARCELS THAT WE PUT TOGETHER THAT MADE THAT POSSIBLE.
AND WHILE THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY CONTIGUOUS PROPERTY CERTAINLY LEND ITSELF TO MAKING THAT A REALITY, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF BIG OBSTACLES IN THE WAY.
A COUPLE OF COVES IN THERE WE HAD TO INSTALL A BRIDGE ON AND RIP RAP AND DO PRETTY COOL STUFF IN THE LAST 12 TO 18 MONTHS.
OUR TEAM MET THE CHALLENGE.
BRENDAN LYNCH AND THE FOLKS AT BIKE AND HIKE, AND VOLUNTEERS, OUR TEAM AT CITY HALL, THEY REALLY GOT BEHIND IT, THEY EMBRACED IT, AND THEY HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB IN THE LAST 12 TO 18 MONTHS CREATE AND CONSTRUCTING NEW TRAILS AND REALLY ENERGIZING THE COMMUNITY.
I WILL TELL YOU WHAT, THE VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE SHOWING UP, VOLUNTEERS STEWARDS, TRAIL STEWARDS WE HAVE ON REALLY INVOLVED HERE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS TO COME OUT AND PICK UP GARBAGE AND DO TRAIL MAINTENANCE.
WITHOUT THEM, WE JUST WOULDN'T HAVE THIS.
>> VERY GOOD.
BRANDON, I WANT TO ASK YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT 18TH STREET.
WE HAVE THIS WHOLE EASTERN SIDE OF CHARLESTON.
WE HAVE ALL THESE THINGS DEVELOPING WHERE, AS A KID, I REMEMBER I GREW UP ON GARFIELD THERE WAS NO CASEY'S GENERAL STORE.
JUST A PLOT OF GRASS.
YOU HAVE ALL THIS ON EAST SIDE OF CHARLESTON, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT AND HOW IT WILL HELP CHARLESTON MOVE FORWARD?
>> IT SHOWS IN THE TOUGH TIME, THE WHOLE COUNTY IS GOING THROUGH ESPECIALLY WITH CHARLESTON, WITH THE EASTERN STUFF, THAT CHARLESTON IS STILL A BRIGHT SPOT ON MAP.
THEN LISTENING TO THE THINGS COMING TO MATTOON, I WOULD SAY THAT COLES COUNTY IS BRIGHT SPOT ON THE MAP, AND WE FORGET SOMETIMES IT IS EASY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE NEGATIVITY OF ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS GOING ON.
WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO IT AND LOOK, THIS IS SOME OF THE BIGGEST GROWTH CHARLESTON HAS SEEN IN YEARS ALL AT ONE TIME.
IT TELLS ME THERE IS SOMETHING, THERE IS SOMETHING HERE.
THIS A SPECIAL PLACE, AND WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THIS UNIVERSITY HERE IN OUR BACKYARD.
SO THIS IS FANTASTIC.
I MEAN I AM SUPER PLEASED WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON.
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