City Council Approves Northwest Business District; Approves Chipotle Project

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Published on June 2 2015 11:29 pm
Last Updated on June 3 2015 7:22 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham City Council Tuesday approved creation of a Northwest Business District as an economic development tool. The Council also approved a development agreement with Wortman Properties for a Chipotle Mexican Grill Restaurant along Keller Drive next to Steak N Shake.

The Northwest Business District involves land along a portion of Keller Drive along with undeveloped parcels along Ford Avenue and Outer Belt West. A 1% sales tax will be collected on any development in the district, similar to the arrangement established along Ford Avenue when Kohl's was lured to town. The revenue is plowed back into development of the affected property.

As for the Wortman development of a Chipotle's, the agreement includes certain promises of assistance by the City and certain pledges from the Wortmans that the project will be completed in a certain amount of time. 

Council members Tuesday discussed support of Governor Bruce Rauner's "turnaround agenda', which on its own has pulled back from several initiatives that were proposed by the governor, but did not take a vote on the issue, decided against pursuing installation of guardrails along Route 40 in the area of CIPS Lake, and also declined to approve the renaming of Outer Belt West to Utz Outer Belt West. On that proposal, Commissioners Merv Gillenwater and Kevin Willis voted for the idea, while Commissioner Don Althoff and Mayor Jeff Bloemker voted No.

The Council renamed the roadway out beyond Pike Avenue as Knagge Drive and the roadway under the interstate tunnels will be called North Tunnel Road as part of the work to get a home for Beck's Hybrids completed; agreed to temporarily close a couple of city streets downtown for the Illinois High School Rodeo State Finals Parade on June 17; approved a manhole lining and rehabilitation program; and honored city employee Michelle Wilkins with an Employee Special Act Award.

Council members renewed membership in the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance, or The Alliance as its known, and a $25,000 contribution for another year; awarded a bid for storm sewer replacement work at the hospital, Clinton and Park Avenues; and contracted with Vandevanter Engineering for a sewage lift station along Airport Road for just under $49,000.

The Council started work on carpet replacement in the two decade old City Hall; named Jeff Staser and Cindy Vogel to the City Plan Commission replacing Kurt Buehnerkemper, who asked to be replaced, and Jeff Bloemker, who is now serving as mayor. Also Tuesday, Tyson Reed was appointed a member of the Tourism Advisory Board for the City. The Council also considered re-establishing an assistant fire chief's position. 

There was no decision on funding the Construction Trades class being established in Effingham County. A different entity is being established to receive the funding than Effingham Unit 40 School District and some language issues need to be addressed before final action on the funding will be taken.