Posted: June 30, 2009

The Oak Creek Common Council on Monday approved the South 27th Street Corridor Plan agreement, committing the city to spend $500,000 on enhanced lighting for the corridor.

The city of Oak Creek is now committed to fund 28 percent of the plan - an increase of 3 percentage points from the previous agreement in which the city agreed to fund 25 percent, or $3.8 million, of the Interstate 94-Drexel Avenue interchange costs.

The decision was nearly unanimous, passing with a 5-1 vote, and had the full support of Mayor Dick Bolender.

"This is good for the future of the city," he said. "This is our chance to do something."

Mixed public reaction

Several Oak Creek taxpayers who attended the meeting had a chance to voice their opinion on the decision prior to the vote. Feelings were mixed.

Many agreed that, in the long run, developing the street and adding the interchange will help the city grow.

"This is something we need to support for the future, and now is the time," a six-year resident said.

And a few whose houses will have to be moved or torn down argued against moving forward with the plans.

"I've lived here for 16 years and I don't want to move," one woman said. "This is my home and my business."

The alderman sympathized with their concerns but emphasized that moving forward is best for the city.

TIF funding a source

The 28 percent Oak Creek has committed to will be funded by a tax-incremental financing district, in which increased tax revenues within the district will finance debt issued to pay for the 27th Street project.

"We are not going to raise taxes on the city of Oak Creek," Bolender promised.