$39 mil in public financing to bring Marriott Hotel downtown on the Peoria.com Forums - Page 2

I agree with PI, but I just get tired of feeling everytime the city, developer, museum, library, etc. wants to do something I feel I have to hire Rambo to guard my wallet.

are they going to use in town crews ? will it bring in more jobs for peoria ?

Hotel will make money, fund it and move on.

i don't support it.

i mean, when is the last time you heard anybody say "we're going to this city instead of that one, because it has a better hotel!" ..? people don't visit cities because of chain hotels.

the museum is at least an added attraction, even though i don't really care for that project either.

I don't see where public financing should come into play here. And I think the city just keeps putting truly important projects on the back burner, like the sewer problem, the school problems, and crime, because every couple weeks somebody comes up with a new idea that's gonna make the city uber-rich and people will flock in from everywhere.

I can see it now...the completed project. The hotel is completely filled, ribbons are being cut, and the guests start asking, "What's that smell?"

"Oh that? That's just the poop in the river. Don't you worry bout that."

tape, the problem is that people are staying across the river because of the lack of choice in downtown Peoria.

Exactly… sorry about the lube comment Crodseth.. you’re the last one I’d expect to get excited over it. Besides, our mods are the one in the greatest need

They don’t truck in laborers Diez it’s not worth it. Management, possibly but not the laborers. Some may flock here to take advantage of the new jobs but that too will benefit the local economy as they will require housing, food, utilities and they’ll be paying taxes. No matter what, it’s going to give us jobs where a lot of jobs are needed. That’s in the short run. In the long run if it brings conventions and a good marketer will see to it that it does… this town could boom. Never underestimate the importance of a decent convention center. The Radisson across that same poopy river is the only real convention hotel nearby. They already did their homework or they would not be here. Radisson does not make decisions to relocate just to offer a poor man a temporary job.

But then again… we can always go back to sticking our heads in the sand and hoping the economy will improve on it’s own. I don’t mind supporting welfare programs.

Hey, I understand Peoria's desire to 'one-up' the town to the east, but here's the cold, hard truth:

The population of Peoria is down 10% over the last 30 years. Meanwhile, every town around it is growing.

Peoria needs to quit worrying about bringing in tourism dollars, and it needs to start worrying about retaining residents and encouraging new residents to move there. How? Easy stupid, clean up the crime problems. Make the schools better. Fix the poop. Build better roads.

Peoria needs to learn real quick, it's not the weekend traveler that is gonna make or break the city, it's the residents. Time to get over the idea that somebody is gonna come here versus Chicago, it just ain't gonna happen. IMAX? Sorry, I'm going to Chicago for that.

Peoria, wake up and realize you had better try to hold on to every last one of your tax paying residents, because that's where the real money is.

Well.. I do agree with you to an extent Crodseth, but there's one tiny little flaw to your theory. How do we encourage a population increase?

I'd suggest that jobs would be a priority then add to that the fact that the residents on welfare and living in desolate conditions are pretty much the norm in many areas of our city. You want a healthy economy? Attract a higher standard of citizen. You can't do that without jobs. Spice up the economy and we will start to look a little more attractive to the tax payer. Then perhaps we can outvote the tax drains.

In the meantime we allow the criminal elements to overrun our town... that does not help. At this point we have no law abiding eyes watching over our communities. Instead it's a tired set of eyes looking out for self and hanging on tightly to their gun. Stimulate the economy and all else will fall into place. Maybe not on the time schedule some of us would like but at least it's a move in the right direction.

I still see no clear cut reason NOT to support this people. If it generates jobs at a time when a major corporation is tucking tail in preparation of running? Well... it's a good thing. My vote is leaning towards "yes".

I know we have the best interest of our community at heart, we just differ on how to achieve that (and I live in East Poeria, so I don't even care that much )People don't necessarily live in the same place they work. There are as many people driving north to mossville Cat from Peoria as there are people drive south to Peoria from Chilli or Henry or wherever.

People live in places where they don't fear getting shot, and they can send their kids to good schools.

Oh, and I see 39 million reasons not to support this.

"People live in places where they don't fear getting shot, and they can send their kids to good schools."

...and people attend conventions with high end attached hotels.

Oh, and another thing....you said stimulate

Ohhh.. I can see the wife’s in trouble tonight. Too many exciting words for Crodseth

I also agree that it’s a problem that many people choose to live outside of our area and drive in but even if we only get a handful, it’s a handful we did not have before. I don’t know.. maybe the company can get a special tax break if they hire local labor. That could give our citizens a one up on the out of towners in the market for the same job. I know if I was doing the hiring I'd take a bigger chance on a local than someone who may get snowed out of town.

Regardless... the benefits are irrefutable. There will still be taxes paid to the community and the out of towners may make purchases while they’re here. Stop being a neigh sayer and brainstorm ways it could work. Seems to me it would be a bigger benefit to the community then thinking up ways it will fail. Or is it because you don’t care Mr. E.P. spy.

Haha, you found me out. I'm not being a neigh sayer, I'm offering my two cents, which are:

a) don't worry bout hotels
b) instead, fix the city (schools, roads, crime, sewer)
c) if you do b above, people will return to the city
d) if people return to the city, feel free to collect sales tax and property taxes from them.

The days of 'Will it play in Peoria?' are long gone. Remember the first step, people, is admitting that you have a problem. And the problem is that Peoria is lacking in several areas that are key to making it a good place to live. Put the money into the city, not a hotel. Give people something to be proud of, I certainly won't be proud of a hotel, but I would be proud to live in a good town with good neighbors, good schools, low crime, and plentiful amenities.