http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CityofChampaign/tabid/90/Default.aspx Halfway Interesting's "City of Champaign" related blog entries covering a wide range of topics on the local community. 60 en-US SunBlogNuke RSS Generator Version 3.8.0.0 Sat, 19 May 2012 10:36:44 GMT Sat, 19 May 2012 10:36:44 GMT http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/927/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-Brian-Bloom-of-Chesser-Financial-and-Nuestar-opens-an-Office-in-Champaign.aspx Alex Ruggieri http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/927/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-Brian-Bloom-of-Chesser-Financial-and-Nuestar-opens-an-Office-in-Champaign.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/927/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-Brian-Bloom-of-Chesser-Financial-and-Nuestar-opens-an-Office-in-Champaign.aspx Sat, 19 May 2012 03:48:00 GMT 0 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=927 http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/926/Cisaves-com-half-price-gift-certificate-deals.aspx Cisaves http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/926/Cisaves-com-half-price-gift-certificate-deals.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/926/Cisaves-com-half-price-gift-certificate-deals.aspx Tue, 15 May 2012 07:25:00 GMT 3 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=926 http://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CentralIllinois/tabid/88/entryid/925/Outstanding-Community-Leader-Paul-Tatman-returns-to-One-on-One.aspx Alex Ruggieri http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CentralIllinois/tabid/88/entryid/925/Outstanding-Community-Leader-Paul-Tatman-returns-to-One-on-One.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp//www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CentralIllinois/tabid/88/entryid/925/Outstanding-Community-Leader-Paul-Tatman-returns-to-One-on-One.aspx Sun, 13 May 2012 00:59:00 GMT 0 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=925 http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/924/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-Sue-Grey-Abby-Hobbs-Girl-Scout-Women-of-Distinction-and-Sylvia-Sullivan-from-Syvias-Irish-Inn-in-Urbana.aspx Alex Ruggieri http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/924/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-Sue-Grey-Abby-Hobbs-Girl-Scout-Women-of-Distinction-and-Sylvia-Sullivan-from-Syvias-Irish-Inn-in-Urbana.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/924/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-Sue-Grey-Abby-Hobbs-Girl-Scout-Women-of-Distinction-and-Sylvia-Sullivan-from-Syvias-Irish-Inn-in-Urbana.aspx Sat, 12 May 2012 17:58:00 GMT 0 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=924 http://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CityofChampaign/tabid/90/entryid/923/Upcoming-Town-Halls-on-county-issues.aspx pattsi petrie http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CityofChampaign/tabid/90/entryid/923/Upcoming-Town-Halls-on-county-issues.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp//www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CityofChampaign/tabid/90/entryid/923/Upcoming-Town-Halls-on-county-issues.aspx Thu, 10 May 2012 04:13:00 GMT 6 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=923 http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/922/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-David-Howie-and-Leon-Odendal.aspx Alex Ruggieri http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/922/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-David-Howie-and-Leon-Odendal.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/922/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-David-Howie-and-Leon-Odendal.aspx Sat, 05 May 2012 18:13:00 GMT 0 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=922 http://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CityofChampaign/tabid/90/entryid/921/Downtown-Hotel-Incentive-Approved-Whos-Unhappy.aspx On March 12th I posted a scheduled article on this website to discuss the plans for the new downtown Champaign hotel at the SW corner of Neil & Church:  http://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CityofChampaign/tabid/90/entryid/873/Downtown-Champaign-Hotel-a-Good-Plan.aspx
On Tuesday, the city council approved up to $3 million in tax rebates to assist the developer of the project.  In my prior article, I said I was in support of the incentive package as long as there was proof of demand for the rooms.  After further thought, I began to question the developer's experience and ability to attempt such a large project.  I have seen more experienced developers fail at much smaller projects.  However, do not be afraid my fellow citizens; I cannot come up with a legitimate reason why this incentive could "hurt" taxpayers.  The developer has chosen a great "flag" for the hotel, a Hyatt Place.  And if he is smart, he will partner with someone with significant development experience and partner with another or hire a manager who has hotel operation experience.

I know there are plenty of naysayers out there who have their reasons why they think the incentive is not in the best interest of taxpayers, but I have yet to hear one that is truly legit.  Go ahead fellow bloggers, let's hear your reasons for why this was a poor decision on the part of your elected council.]]> Matt Wavering http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CityofChampaign/tabid/90/entryid/921/Downtown-Hotel-Incentive-Approved-Whos-Unhappy.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp//www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CityofChampaign/tabid/90/entryid/921/Downtown-Hotel-Incentive-Approved-Whos-Unhappy.aspx Fri, 04 May 2012 07:53:00 GMT 9 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=921 http://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CentralIllinois/tabid/88/entryid/920/This-Weeks-TV-Show-Features-Michael-Markstahler-on-the-History-of-Champaign-and-Urbana.aspx All past shows can be downloaded at www.ruggieriteam.com ]]> Alex Ruggieri http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CentralIllinois/tabid/88/entryid/920/This-Weeks-TV-Show-Features-Michael-Markstahler-on-the-History-of-Champaign-and-Urbana.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp//www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CentralIllinois/tabid/88/entryid/920/This-Weeks-TV-Show-Features-Michael-Markstahler-on-the-History-of-Champaign-and-Urbana.aspx Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:11:00 GMT 0 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=920 http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/919/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-Jason-Combs-of-Strategic-Marketing-and-Mailing-and-Susan-Pryde-from-ECLECTIC-Artist-Co-op.aspx Alex Ruggieri http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/919/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-Jason-Combs-of-Strategic-Marketing-and-Mailing-and-Susan-Pryde-from-ECLECTIC-Artist-Co-op.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/ChampaignCounty/tabid/89/entryid/919/Central-Illinois-Business-guests-this-week-Jason-Combs-of-Strategic-Marketing-and-Mailing-and-Susan-Pryde-from-ECLECTIC-Artist-Co-op.aspx Sat, 28 Apr 2012 06:50:00 GMT 0 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=919 http://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CentralIllinois/tabid/88/entryid/918/Sorry-guys-you-vote-we-decide.aspx Eric T. http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp://www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CentralIllinois/tabid/88/entryid/918/Sorry-guys-you-vote-we-decide.aspx#Comments http://halfwayinteresting.comhttp//www.halfwayinteresting.com/Pages/CentralIllinois/tabid/88/entryid/918/Sorry-guys-you-vote-we-decide.aspx Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:30:00 GMT 6 http://halfwayinteresting.com/DesktopModules/SunBlog/Handlers/Trackback.aspx?id=918