To the editor:
As a 17-year resident of Crestwood, I have observed with growing alarm the signs of decline in our community.
The steady closure of businesses, the demise of Crestwood Court, reduced property values, and the influx of thrift shops do not bode well for the future of our city.
I am even more alarmed by the lack of leadership demonstrated by our mayor and many of our aldermen — particularly on the issues surrounding the redevelopment of Crestwood Court. On March 20, I attended the town-hall meeting held at Whitecliff Park. I was curious to hear what Centrum Partners had to say about their plans for the mall and was dismayed by the negativity and misinformation displayed by several people in the crowd that evening. Many of their questions and comments reflected a complete lack of understanding of real estate, retail development and quite frankly, economic reality.
I believe much of this misinformation is coming from a vocal minority of Crestwood citizens and aldermen who are opposed to any form of public economic assistance. Tax-increment financing, TIF; transportation development districts, TDD; and community improvement districts, CID; were all created to enable development of blighted properties. How much more blighted can you get than the current Crestwood Court?
Unfortunately, these same aldermen have already made up their minds and are against the use of such economic assistance. Aren’t they supposed to represent the majority of the people in their ward, not just their individual viewpoint or agenda?
Centrum has made it clear that it will not redevelop the mall without it. Our neighboring communities have used such assistance for revitalization. Have you driven through Maplewood lately? It used TIF. Northwest Plaza is also being redeveloped thanks to TIF. And let’s not forget Crestwood used TIF several years ago for our now-flourishing Kohl’s.
Our community has reached a tipping point. The mall property must be redeveloped for Crestwood to flourish again. And until demolition begins and progress is underway, there are going to be very few tenants willing to sign on the dotted line. The only thing standing in the way seems to be our mayor and a few of our aldermen. Now is the time for all of the Crestwood citizens who have been too busy working, volunteering, taking care of homes, children and/or pets, caring for their families and running businesses to speak up and get involved.
We have to tell our city administrator, mayor and aldermen that it is time to get to work. We can’t keep slicing and dicing our budget without a plan for improvement. Just like the politicians in Washington D.C., our local elected officials are divided — and nothing is getting done. Let’s awaken the sleeping giant of concerned-yet-busy-citizens and hold our leaders accountable.
Call or email your aldermen today and ask them:
What is going on with the mall? When is this item appearing on the agenda of upcoming meetings?
What is their position on the use of TIFs, TDDs and CIDs?
Do they believe they should cast their votes based on the input from their ward or based on their personal feelings? What if the majority of their ward wants public assistance to develop the mall property?
What is going to happen if Centrum walks? Does the city administrator, mayor and/or aldermen have a plan if this happens?
How are they going to maintain services in Crestwood with shrinking tax revenues?
Are they concerned about the lack of raises for city employees and the high employee turnover?
Consider attending a Board of Aldermen meeting — at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Let’s tell our leaders it’s time to get to work — and remind them who they are representing.