Pekin Street Parking Lot project “on hold”

[July 20, 2016]  LINCOLN - On Monday evening, the Lincoln city council entertained two motions regarding the Pekin Street Parking Lot project. This project was voted down in the May 16, 2016, voting session of the council. At that time, all eight aldermen were present for the vote. Those voting “no” were Tracy Welch, Steve Parrott, Kathy Horn, Jonie Tibbs and Rick Hoefle. Those who voted “yes” were Michelle Bauer, Jeff Hoinacki and Todd Mourning.

With no alternate plan in place it appeared that the parking lot was a dead issue. However, a few weeks later it was announced that the city wanted to revisit the parking lot plan. To do so the vote of May 16th would need to be rescinded and a new motion placed on the agenda. Consequently, new action items were added to the voting agenda this week.

The first action item posted under ‘New Business/Communications’ read, “Motion to rescind vote to reject bid from Illinois Civil Contractors, Inc. (ICCI) for Pekin Street Parking Lot project.” The second action was listed under ‘Bids’ on the agenda and read, “Approval of bid from Illinois Civil Contractors, Inc for the Pekin Street Parking Lot Project in an amount not to exceed $480,644.70.”

After calling the meeting to order for the evening, Mayor Marty Neitzel asked if there was anyone who wished to address the council during public participation. Leslie Hoefle came forward to talk about the Pekin Street project.

She opened by saying that she had heard that Neitzel had told local business owners impacted by the project that she would ask the council to table the approval of the bid, pending further discussion. Hoefle applauded that decision.

Hoefle commented on the current design saying that considering the semi traffic that needs access to the businesses from that alley, it was dangerous to children and all pedestrians. She commented that her husband, Rick Hoefle, who is a city alderman, had 33 years of insurance experience working specifically with the trucking industry as a litigation specialist, serving as an expert witness. She urged the council to take his advice on the liability and safety concerns regarding this parking lot.

She said that after the last vote there was an impression left that the downtown business owners didn’t want anything at all done to the parking lot; and that was not the case. She said the business owners do want a better parking lot, and they want the city to address the sewer issues, as well as the storm water run-off issues.

She talked about the unsightly wires in the parking lot and alderman Steve Parrot’s suggestion at a previous meeting that those issues should be addressed. She said she agreed with his assessment.

She suggested that to beautify the backs of those buildings, which can be seen from Pekin Street, perhaps there could be murals painted on the buildings. She added that it could be a community painting project, and noted other communities that have done similar projects.

Hoefle commented, “The city needs a strategy to determine when a plan or person goes from being a community asset to a community liability.” She said that it appeared that the revitalization plan was slanted to benefit certain people and that she had put together documentary evidence that she would be sharing with the press and aldermen to support her claim.

When Hoefle completed her presentation, there were no comments or questions from aldermen.

After voting on the consent agenda, Neitzel did address the council asking them to first rescind the previous vote, but then to also table the new vote to approve the bid from ICCI, pending further discussion.

Michelle Bauer, combining the two action items into one, made a motion to rescind and table the Pekin Street Parking Lot project. The motion was seconded by Kathy Horn. With all eight aldermen present for the evening, the motion carried by a unanimous vote.

[Nila Smith]

NOTE:  The document offered by Leslie Hoefle to the Lincoln City Council on Monday, July 18, 2016 began by questioning who and why the Library/Community Parking Lot issue was brought back before the city council. It then launched into reviewing the whole Downtown Revitalization Project planning process. The emphasis was on the persons who were involved. It speculates on individual motives and integrity.

In keeping with our editorial policy to not attack individuals, but speak to the issue(s), Lincoln Daily News will not display the pdf.

Past related articles

• 07/15/2016 - Businesses address Library/Community Parking Lot project
• 07/02/2016 - City rehashes Pekin Street parking lot decision
• 07/01/2016 - Lincoln Mayor addresses city council and public “from the heart”
• 05/19/2016 - City says “No” to Pekin Street Parking Lot project
• 2013 - Steering committee updates the public on downtown revitalization project
  • Part 1: An overview of the project
  • Part 2: Pinpointing and addressing specific needs
  • Part 3: Discussions turn to money and TIF districts
• Downtown Revitalization Committee hosts public meeting
  • Sept. 20, 2012 -- Part 1: Examining current conditions
  • Sept. 21, 2012 -- Part 2: Vision, goals, assets and hurdles
  • Sept. 24, 2012 -- Part 3: A fresh look for downtown landmarks