Downtown TIF District Moves to Forefront of Village President's Forum

Most people can agree that downtown Oswego is a long way from becoming a destination point mentioned in the same sentence with places like Plainfield and Geneva.

Where the disagreement comes in, at least for the three candidates running for village president, is how to get on that path. , and newcomer all appeared at the president's forum Thursday night at the .

When asked by Toastmaster's President and moderator Tony Hughes if they would vote for a Tax Increment Finance District to redevelop the downtown, LeClercq and Smith both said they do not support  a TIF, while Sollinger spent her time trying to dispel what she sees as misconceptions about the development tool.

"I am 100 percent all the time against TIF Districts," Smith said during the evening's most spirited exchange. "... I don't support TIF because there's too much of an incentive to have the developer get the district labeled a TIF District, sell the building at an inflated price and then leave the district with a profit." 

Smith referred to a Yorkville TIF district, which currently sits mostly undeveloped and was sold after its establishment by developer HRM Properties. It was HRM that came before the Village Board last year in a bid to redevelop the former Alexander Lumber site, borrowing up to $13 million in village funds for infrastructure improvements to the area.

LeClercq said he to would not support a TIF District and tried to convince those in the audience that he never supported the proposal for the redevelopment of downtown in 2010.

"Let me state for the record I do not support the TIF. I think there's a perception out there that just because I talk about something that I support it," he said. "... I invite everyone to the table to discuss an issue regardless of how I feel about it."

LeClercq said there are other funding mechanisms for downtown, including grants, recovery bonds and revolving loans.

Sollinger said she's spent a lot of time studying TIF Districts and that if one is established in Oswego, it should be before a developer is even considered for work downtown. 

"There are good ones and there are bad ones," she said. "If you have a good one, it's probably one of the best economic development tools you can find. ... A TIF District does not cost the taxpayers one penny. All the money that's used in a TIF District is paid back by the people in that district."

Hughes then turned the discussion to an issue LeClercq has said will be one of his top priorities if re-elected—bringing a . Hughes asked each candidate the cost for the station and how it would be financed.

A federal commitment of $75 million, and state and local matching funds, will be needed to bring Metra to Oswego.

LeClercq said expanded parking at the current Park and Ride lot off Orchard and Mill roads where the station would be located would help fund the village's portion of the costs. He said parking fees at the lot are a possibility.

"We do have a congressman (Randy Hultgren) who serves on the Transportation Committee and the Rail Subcommittee so was encouraged when the congressman came out here that he realized Yorkville was within feet, Montgomery was within feet and Aurora was within yards of this opportunity, and he agreed to make it his top priority."

Smith said he supports a Metra stop for Oswego but asked for more information from the village about what the real costs to taxpayers would be.

For the village to receive more than just limited overflow service from the Aurora stop, Kendall County would have to join the Regional Transportation Authority. The RTA requires a countywide voter-approved 0.75 percent tax increase for new members—something of which Smith said residents may not be fully aware.

LeClercq acknowledged that ultimately voters will have a say through the referendum about whether they want Metra service.

Sollinger also said she supports a Metra stop, but said it's a long way off.

"I think the Metra station would be huge for the village of Oswego—not only for the real estate market but the community overall," she said. "... We need to pursue that, and I do think with Congressman Hultgren on the Transportation Committee we will have a better chance at getting that. I still think it's going to be a while before we do."

Thursday night's forum won't be the last time voters will get the chance to compare village presidential candidates. The trio will meet again at the WSPY/Ledger-Sentinel forum scheduled for 7 p.m. March 17, at Village Hall. The forum will be broadcast live on 107.1FM