Peoria City Council At-Large Election Quiz #1:
What is your position on the Keller Branch?
Brad Carter: First, I am surprised that the issue for this election has turned out to be the Kellar Branch.
I have the unpopular opinion that the city should sell the Kellar Branch to Pioneer (who have now upped their offer). I came to this conclusion based on 2 points: Point 1 - Peoria cannot afford to lose the economic development potential this line can and will bring. There are and have been several companies wanting to invest in growth cell 2, but are afraid to because the future of Kellar is undecided. Point 2 - According to the Peoria Park Districts own numbers, the trail conversion will cost $6 million. To date, they have $4 million. I have talked with developers who say there needs to be a 1 in front of both of those numbers. This will mean a tax increase to our property taxes which I and many others cannot afford.
Disclaimer: Much of the history I know on the Kellar Branch came from C J Summers at The Peoria Chronicle. PIR has offered money to my campaign after they saw where I stood on this issue, but I have not taken any money from them at this point.
Donald Cummings: The Kellar Branch is an excellent concept for rail and trail. I believe that it needs to be used as both.
Dan Irving: Based on the current information that has been put forward, the decision to keep our options open for a trail I support.
George Jacob: I support continuing to pursue a recreational trail. We need to continue to review this to determine if joint use or limited joint use is feasible. The Western connection must continue to be improved in order to improve service available to Carver Lumber or other potential users, and to enhance development in Growth Cell 2.
Kelley Mammen: That is such a beautiful area and I feel that it should be a trail only. It can than be marketed and maybe someday it can be used as a cross country ski path (if it isn’t already). As a city gets bigger we need to maintain areas like this for our children and future families and residents. Someday it could all be gone.
Gary Sandberg: I have consistently voted to continue rail service down the Kellar Branch to connect to the multiple carriers available along the riverfront. I also believe that trolley service from the northern extremes of Peoria to downtown would be ideal if the market will support without public subsidy. I believe that the only way to support a recreational trail would be for the trail to be subordinate to the rail use.
Chuck Schierer: I am in favor of the trail. If we are serious about economic development and creating a new family friendly amenity to Peoria, then the trail must go through.
Ryan Spain: I support the transition of the Kellar Branch from rail to trail and will work to enhance viable rail service into Pioneer Industrial Park from the west.
Gale Thetford: I support the abandonment of the portion of the Kellar Branch between Springdale Cemetery and Pioneer parkway for a recreational walking/hiking trail. I believe that the City’s development of the western spur provides rail service for those businesses interested in rail as a mode of delivering services or supplies.
Eric Turner: We committed to the Trail some time ago and I have been a supporter from the beginning. Not only is it a Quality of Life issue it has a element of Economic Development. Junction Ventures LLC has already invested $15 Million dollars but he has 2 other potential investors along the trail that may invest up to $45 million. That is true economic development w/o any need for city money.
February 24th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
If Turner thinks Khazzam won’t be able to find investors if the trail doesn’t go in, then he’s crazy. Khazzam is going to make money on that property regardless of what happens.
Carter is obviously a very bright guy with excellent taste in reading material.
It appears Carter, Cummings, Irving, Jacob, and Sandberg are the only respondents who are not dead-set on trail-only use of the corridor. Carter and Sandberg are the only ones willing to consider selling the line. Interesting.
February 24th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
What a bunch of knuckleheads… except for Sandberg and Carter. The rest have their craniums squarely up Uncle Ray and Sweet Bonnie’s keysters, and that is not a pretty picture.
Mind’s made up. Sandberg and Carter split my 5 votes.
And, my “Stupid Idiot of the Year Award” goes to Kelley Mammen, for even THINKING that it is a lovely area over there. Word up to Kelley… it’s a RAIL LINE, stupid.
February 24th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
A limited development of some apartments is not what the rail vs trail issue is all about. After the apartments are built, the money is gone. The real issue is about long term jobs in Pioneer Park which has the capability to become great for Peoria rather than mediocre. A trail will not provide jobs. Proper rail service will.
February 26th, 2007 at 5:38 am
I like this quote, “…maybe someday it can be used as a cross country ski path”. If you build it, the snow will come!
February 26th, 2007 at 10:48 am
To me, ths issue is actually very simple. Unfortunately, it has gotten complex over time, and many peoples opinions have been clouded by stray facts and politics. The trail is without a doubt the most beneficial outcome for Peoria, both socially and economically. I cannot agree with any points of view about FUTURE economic benefits of a rail, when we have CURRENT economic benefits already on the line. There is just as much potential economic benefit for businesses that will locate around the trail than businesses that will locate around a trail, not to mention the housing aspect. If you peel away the layers (economic, tax, etc), and look at the core issue “what would the residents of Peoria prefer, a rail or a trail”, the answer is really simple. TRAIL. As for JC, we clearly support and desire a trail.
February 26th, 2007 at 11:08 am
furthermore…..JC supports the trail There is no doubt that we will have to completely change our develpoment plans if the rail service continues. It would be almost certain that we would NOT develop apartments there for obvious reasons, and would have to consider new, potentially more industrial options for development and revenue. Having said this, it would be a sad end to what is currently a beautiful project that we hope will forever be an aesthetic enhancemnet to our city. The same is true for Knoxville place. They are not developing an approx 15m-20m because of this issue, and JC’s numbers are substantially higher than that. As far as the Trolley is concerned, as much as I like the idea, I just dont think it has any legs, for many reasons. The main one being, that if the rail stays, and the city plans to attract new businesses to use the rail, a Trolley line will only be an interference in those dealings. most of the cities that operate a trolley service, DO NOT have active freight services of those same tracks. Peoria is a booming economy right now, we have many many attractive places to locate businesses to. What we need are more cultural and health environments to attract citizens. The trail is a very easy choice for me to vote on, for personal, economic, and PEORIA benefit reasons
February 26th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Alexis, I appreciate the energy you have brought and the willingness to invest in our community. I met you after your presentation at city hall and you seem like a decent person. That being said, on with the politics. Your investment in JC is large and will be larger. How would you feel if the city came up with a new project in say 10 years that cost you or your investment money. How would you react? That is the position that Carver is in. This is where the city should be focused first. To answer the question about future development along the Keller Branch: How many potential businesses have been in the same position that you are in currently? Why would any sane person invest needing rail service with the unceretainty of the future of that service? You yourself told me you are in this very prediament. You just need a final, lasting decision to be made before you can go ahead with either of your plans for JC. Now about the trail: It would be great for Poeria to have a trail if it is done in an economically sound way that does not hurt existing business or cost tax payers unnecessarily. Do the grants PPD has obtained say train tracks must be ripped up and a trail built in its place? NO! The trail can go anywhere, and I can think of several safer more scenic routes with much of the neede infrastructure in place. This would truly be a win-win for the area. But alas, there is too many agendas and propaganda surrounding this issue that no one will win. There is a lot more to say on the issue, but this is a basic start.
February 26th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
Brad, nice to talk to you again. I cannot disagree with you. But your final point is the only on ethat is 100% valid, because everyone has opinions and there are too many agendas involved. Regardless, I will say this….I support the trail, and that is my number 1 objective. But if another decision would be made, and the rail were the final vote, i would 100% support the city and hope that they could maximize profits and business from it. Talk soon
March 10th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I believe the Keller Branch should remain open. The resources used to maintain the railroad section is minimal to city finances and reports indicate that only the Carver Lumber Company uses this branch. Without knowing the financial impact of discontinuance and the cost of building trails for recreation, that the city must fund, I feel the best course is to keep the branch open and revisit this issue when more financial impact information is available.