Candidates’ views on Water Street Place
Q. The Water Street Place development won the highest-ever city incentive and will rise 16 stories on Elgin’s riverfront. List any concerns you might have about this project. How does this development represent Elgin’s future in your mind?
A. Richard Bennett, 66, retired from the real estate business:
In 25 years, will it become a slum area? Look at Highland House on Highland Avenue. Once a high-class place, now it’s a slum.
A. Tricia Dieringer, 55, a registered nurse and an administrative assistant at Gilberts Police Department:
Elgin has always been a blue-collar city with blue-collar values and blue-collar incomes. This is not to say that building more affluent housing is a bad idea, but what will another condominium add? There are $400,000 condominiums across from the Towne Centre that are still largely vacant.
A. David Kaptain, 59, retired chemist and director of the Fox River Water Reclamation District:
In my six years on the planning commission and two years on the city council, in my opinion, this is one of the worst projects ever approved…My vision for the future Elgin does not include similar projects.
A. Hidayat Khan, 40, editor for the Pakistan Times:
I think the Water Street Place development was rushed through the council, with no notice given to the public about what was being planned and when. Most people I have talked to had no idea the old library was sold, and a new development was already in place at that location…It is supposed to house retail shops as well as condos and townhouses, and as yet all the new condos in downtown Elgin are not sold  so how is this building supposed to succeed? With all the empty shops in downtown Elgin, why do the developers think new shops will succeed where the existing shops cannot?
A. Shane Nowak, 26, emergency medical technician:
I am all for the Water Street Place development but not the incentives that went along with it…Why should some developments within the city borders get incentives or more incentives then other developments? How is this fair?
A. Michael Powers, 49, marketing consultant:
The Water Street Place project will be a boom to Elgin’s downtown, bringing DINKs, singles and empty-nesters with discretionary income to the area.
A. Brenda Rodgers, a real-estate agent:
I voted no for this project, because this is a prime location. Water property has always been very desirable. And, I did not feel that we should have given so much, because of the location of the project.
A. Thomas Sandor, 56, accountant:
Water Street Place will symbolize Elgin in the 21st century, just as the Tower Building has represented the Elgin of the 20th…It is anticipated that the city will recover its incentive dollars through taxes generated by the project within the first 10 years.
A. Greg Schock, 47, works at SKF Industries:
My first concern regarding all of the new upscale residential developments, in particular the downtown area, is the negative effect it might have on the current value of surrounding homes and the market value concerning the sale of these older homes  as well as the increased amount of traffic to be dumped upon the already extremely busy Kimball Street bridge and surrounding area. I am also afraid that the upscale retail development in the lower portions of the project will discourage other upscale retail and entertainment development in the older parts of Elgin.
A. John Steffen, 43, attorney:
For the incentive money the city provided Water Street, it got a building that is too big, lacks adequate public parking, and has an institutional look. However, I believe it furthers the city’s efforts to increase the number of people living downtown  something that is needed to increase retail activity in the area.
A. Lorrie Vargas, 43, owner of the Great American Family Diner in Elgin:
The
build and they will come dream
is not materializing. Concerns I have include traffic, 16 stories instead of the riverfront view for citizens and empty storefronts in the foundation of the development.
Read their complete responses at the Daily Herald website.
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Wow Brenda Rodgers finally gives more than a two word response. And what’s up with Richard Bennett? Is he sane? He sounds like a crazy old man.
How about Tricia Dieringer talking about the “Towne Centre” — chuckles.
Michael Powers claims he’s a marketing consultant and spews lingo nobody’s ever heard before (DINKs??). That’s great marketing for you.
DINK’s- Double Income No Kids…very common term.
I believe it is a great idea to rebuild downtown Elgin. It will bring more people to live in the area therefore, helping activity in new and existing retail space. I believe once there are more people living downtown, retail space will fill up in the empty buildings that are for lease in the area. It won’t happen over night but it is a step in the right direction.