Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsThursday, March 22, 2007 5:45 PM CDT
Comments Comments (7) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Company looking at site in Pontiac
By Karen Walters
kwalters@pantagraph.com
Advertisement

PONTIAC -- A company is looking into putting a commercial development in Pontiac -- if the City Council is willing to change its long-term plans.

Mayor Scott McCoy said he has been working for the last few weeks with a company that is interested in building a commercial business in the area currently defined as the city’s industrial park.

McCoy said he could not say what the business would be, but that it was “a destination anchor store, big box store or other possibility.”

McCoy said the company is prepared to move fast, but the City Council would have to redesign the city’s comprehensive plan and the tax increment financing district to accommodate the different type of business.

“They have a huge amount of interest and their focus is commercial,” McCoy said during a work session of the entire council on Wednesday. “We would have to have a discussion on policy change to the industrial park to commercial land.”

The area deemed the industrial park is just south of Reynolds Street on Deerfield Road. The area is close to the new Wal-Mart Supercenter.

The city has had a difficult time marketing the park over the last few years and has not seen the development that officials had hoped for.

The council has been looking into making a formal request for proposals from companies to build in the park.

Alderman John McGlasson said he was not opposed to the idea, but didn’t want to rush into any decision. He said that the city should see what other companies would be interested in developing there.

“Just because something comes along, we don’t want to be desperate,” he said.

The council could consider the needed changes over the coming weeks and months. Most of the council supported looking into both options for the land, but members did not formally vote on any proposals.

The revision of the plans could also involve looking into what types of developments would be good for the Illinois 23 corridor.

Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 7 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Just A Guy wrote on Mar 22, 2007 11:23 PM:

" Could it possibly be a Sam's Club? Pontiac is too small for a Meijer. Or, like someone said, Lowes. Maybe a Menards? "

Alderman John McGlasson said wrote on Mar 22, 2007 2:58 PM:

" Just because something comes along, we don’t want to be desperate,” ...........Wow!! what is behind that thought? Nothing? LOL. Pontiac better get moving or else developmet will end up in another town. Chenoa or Dwight "

This city wrote on Mar 22, 2007 1:53 PM:

" I moved out three years ago, to Bloomington, Pontiac needs new blood running it get rid of Karls that is your starting point, And this how-dy du-ty mayor you all have now is the worst in 20 years, so self serving,he needs to go, then theres the Police dept. and all the cover ups. You all have just got a mess on your hands. "

citizen wrote on Mar 22, 2007 11:07 AM:

" "Alderman John McGlasson said he was not opposed to the idea, but didn’t want to rush into any decision. He said that the city should see what other companies would be interested in developing there. “Just because something comes along, we don’t want to be desperate,” he said". Maybe he should look at the fact that no-one is trying to build there, unless they are and that has not been revealed to the public. If we have the chance to help our town grow and prosper I say go for it Mayor McCoy. If the alderman don't like it we can start voting them out of office, it seems that they are more concerned with their own agends rather than that of what is best for the citizens woh VOTED for them in the first place. "

HMM wrote on Mar 22, 2007 9:23 AM:

" Im thinking MEIJER, they seem to go where ever Wal-Mart goes. "

Why not wrote on Mar 22, 2007 9:09 AM:

" Why would we not want more industry in Pontiac? Building of any business would bring jobs to town, revenue from sales and might just draw some traffic off of I55. Pontiac residents for too long have been driving to Bloomington for everything from groceries to toliets. We need more big name businesses. Yes we also need to make sure the locally owned businesses stay in business, but we also need to be competitive. Why give more of our money to other cities. I sincerely hope Mayor McCoy and the rest of the council do the right thing with the information that they have. Pontiac needs to grow and be competitive. "

My speculation says it's wrote on Mar 22, 2007 6:10 AM:

" Lowes "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy