January 5, 2010

Council passes option for West Racine grocery store, gas station

The City Council voted 14-1 Tuesday night to grant Tom Tousis an option on land to build a grocery store with gas pumps in West Racine.

The council's vote finalizes a recommendation from the city's Redevelopment Authority to move Tousis' $5 million project forward. Tousis needed the option because the city owns the land he wants to build on at the corner of Washington Avenue and West Boulevard.

Tousis' plan is to build a grocery store and sit-down restaurant with gas pumps. The council's vote forwards Tousis' project to the city's Access Corridor Review Committee and the Plan Commission for further consideration. The proposal needs to pass both committees and the City Council to win approval.

Tousis' plan also calls for a liquor license, which would require approval from the Public Safety and Licensing Committee.

Tuesday's vote was a long-time coming for Tousis, who has been publicly pushing his controversial project since July. While there's been little opposition to the proposed grocery store or restaurant, the gas pumps have drawn criticism as a bad fit for West Racine.

But Tousis has built support by noting his project would help pay off the tax incremental finance district used to clear the West Racine block, would create new jobs and meet two West Racine needs - a place to buy groceries and a sit-down restaurant.

Alderman Jeff Coe was the only vote against the project. Alderman Jim Spangenberg, an opponent of the project, voted for the option but said it didn't mean he supported Tousis's proposal.

Up next is a more detailed review of what the grocery store, restaurant and gas pumps would look like. A key question will be if the project fits with the city's development plans for West Racine. City committees will take up that issue and make a recommendation to the full City Council in the next few months.

38 comments:

  1. West Racine born and raised1/06/2010 6:18 AM

    "Jim Spangenberg, an opponent of the project, voted for the option but said it did not mean he supported Tousis's plan" Is it me, or does anyone else that lives In the area see through his BS. This is the same crap you pulled with the 55 unit Jim. Grow a spine Spangenberg, I can already see you standing in bathroom practicing a speech about how you, the great savior helped the project become reality, and one on how you stood up for the tax payers and faught "the evil gas pumps"! Talk about two faced! Well anyway good luck to Mr. Tousis my neighbors and myself are still behind you 100%

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  2. No gambling machines means at least 20K less revenue a month for Lil Gus. Should be interesting.

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  3. No gambling machines? No wonder he wants the land for free.

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  4. This is far from over. I too think that no slots will hurt the project.

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  5. 6:25,31,46 ,

    When you want to make it look like multiple people, hint: wait more than 6 minutes and at least try to change your writing style!

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  6. I see Dicker's trolls are hard at work.

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  7. Keep it moving forward. This beats a gravel pit.

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  8. Beat him up Jim, way to go! That's right you show that Tom that only businessmen from Virginia or Oregon or Alabama are wanted in West Racine. Why would we want a family from Racine to actually run a business here. We don't need any more local businesses in West Racine we have Johnson's Furniture. Keep it up Jim with your efforts we will be able to meet and surpass Racine's unemployment record set during the Great Depression, then we will finally make it into the record books.

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  9. I am not sure if we really need another gas station with in a mile or 2 from the other ones on Washington Ave.... what will happen to the farmers
    market??...thats all we have here in Racine is bars gas stations and restarants to keep us fat and unhealthy...

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  10. To late for me Spanky, your not getting my vote cry baby!

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  11. I habe said this befor this man will not build his monster in west racine. My aldermen will not let this happen. He promised me and other people from church that it will not happen. Tom should stop know and he will be less embarissed. My aldermen said that he has to vote for this at some of the meetings so it can be finished at a better meeting that he has more votes. We don't want you Ztom, you are not the kind we want in our west racine.

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  12. Rich Harding1/06/2010 12:08 PM

    At the public meeting in the church on Washington Ave. a few months ago I directly asked Tom if he was going to have the gambling machines in any part of the business. His answer to me, in front of the other 150+ people that attended, was that he WILL NOT have any gambling machines installed on the property. I think he should keep his word on that and we, as the citizens he promised, should hold him to it. Other than that, I see no problem with him moving forward with the project; even with the gas pumps.

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  13. Jim’s People – if I were you I’d be embarrassed with my spelling and grammar. Maybe Jimbo can help you with that.

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  14. Hey Ritchie Rich – is your wife going to run for mayor again – running her campaign on company time?

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  15. I think Cole is on borrowed time. Dicker will have a ringer run against him next time to oust him.

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  16. Mr Harding you don't have a idea what the people here want for that corner. Who are you to support a lousy business like Tom's, you are a pathetic liar. We don't need his kind and yours to in west racine. You can stay in your houses and ruin those nieghborhoods not mine. My aldermen will not allow this to ever happen. Good luck, yeh rite.

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  17. To Jims people. Don't know who you've been talking to besides Spanky and his old fart buddy (Mr. H. on West Blvd.) but I've been a home owner in West Racine for over 35 years. Everyone in my area is for the idea and can't wait to see it get started. Mr. Spankys days are numbered as an alderman! Maybe he can get a part time job shinning Dickerts shoes!

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  18. Mike from West Racine1/06/2010 4:29 PM

    It always kils me to read the constant babblings of "Jims People"! You are one misguided person. I am not sure what church, or religion you belong to but I am pretty sure that the bible you so often mention does not read as you read it! Who or what kind of moron is feeding you the misinformation that you constantly spew? If you truly are a "Christian" take time to apologize to "Pizzaman" and "Rich" for your unwarrented attacks. I have read blogs from you in the past, and the same thing you have said were happening to Jim Spangenberg you do to others. Why do you not talk about the attacks on Tom and his family, is it because you are the one who posted those attacks? Who is pulling your strings? Is it the person that you so often blog about? If you are anything more than the idiot I think you are use your real name and lets get together and have a civilized debate about this issue, otherwise shut you pie hole!!

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  19. Mike Of West Racine. You have to be kidding right? If not you can shine Spankys shoes before he does Dickerts. LOL

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  20. Mike..Oh by the way, Tom is helping West Racine, not digressing it like Spanky and his clowns.

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  21. Mikre from West Racine1/06/2010 6:04 PM

    Pizzaman,

    Read my blog again I am for Tom, In matter of fact I have been working with him on this project since Feb.. My blog was negative towards the nut bag Known as "Jims People" and their fearless leader!

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  22. You are a bunch of fools. Do not hold youre breathw!

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  23. Jim's People is a raving lunatic. Alderman Spangenberg could this person been a part of your campaign for mayor? Is Jim's People a good example of what a Spangenberg follower is like. Somebody shove a sock in JP's mouth I am so tired of his or hers bad grammar and bigotry.

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  24. It sure seems that commom sense is not to common for Jeff Coe. He claims to be for labor. So when there is a great oppurtunity to create good needed jobs for our city he votes no. He says he doesn't want a gas station in West Racine because its the gateway to Racine. Hey Jeff Coe how bought all the other stations on the same road that is part of the Gateway? With the Grocery Store, Bank, Restaurant, Construction Jobs, this is exactly what our city and residents need. With the wages and the tax money going back into our communty this is progress. Its time for Coe and Spangenberg to take there blinders off. Its time to weed out the Dumb and Dummers and get progresive leaders with a vision for the growth of our community................

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  25. Jim's People - I suggest you write your comments in Word first, do a spell and grammar check and then copy and past it on this site. You apparently don't have skills in either spelling or grammar.

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  26. Sorry Mike, I mis-read it! DUH!!!

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  27. Only low lives want this. You people are fools.

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  28. Hey Jim and your people, only low life used up furniture salesmen and those that believe what the idiot says are against this.

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  29. I think Jims people are Spanky and da old fart Dick H. LMAO I think they shine shoes at the airport?

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  30. Rich Harding1/07/2010 4:41 PM

    Jim's People, let me answer you, you pathetic little fascist a-hole, I live in West Racine and have every right to my opinion, just as anyone else. Not only that, I was at the meeting at the church when this was discussed and know what I'm talking about. Apparently you were not there, and are the one talking out your ass. I, for one, would like to see a LOCAL businessman open a grocery and restaurant on that corner, as would over 90% of the people at that meeting. So why don't you stay in your little run down shack and mumble to yourself in Arabic and praise your saviors (Obama, Dickert, Becker, Doyle, etc.). Or maybe you'd like to meet face to face to "discuss" the issue, or are you too afraid to admit who your are?

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  31. Wow, Rich Harding is an angry little bitch isn't he?

    Did he just call someone a Muslim and imply that they worship Democrats. What exactly were you trying to say Richard?

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  32. I am also pretty sure Jim's People is a conservative.

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  33. You people have no chance of entering paradise. I will not have to deal with you their I am sure to that>

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  34. Jims People said... I hope proper spelling and grammar are not a requirement to get into your paradise, because if it is - you'll never get in.

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  35. Rich Harding1/08/2010 5:07 PM

    I'm not "trying" to say anything, I said it.

    Jim's People is NOT a conservative. He (or more like he-she (ergo "it")) is a loud mouth know-it-all who seems to think that it is the only person in West Racine entitled to an opinion. That is not conservative thinking.

    It seems to enjoy attacking anyone who may not share the same opinions as it does or might be a little better off than it is.

    It can't be a conservative and be a supporter of Jim Spangenberg. It is obviously a leftist, a liberal and a fascist. Ziek Obama!

    It is obviously a high school (if not grade school) drop-out, if it's spelling and grammar are any reflection of it's education level.

    It is an obvious coward, hiding behind the Anonymous cloak and afraid to stand up and back up it's opinions. It even enjoys calling the males of the species "bitches."

    It has no concept whatsoever of what is actually in the Bible and shoots it's mouth off about anything and everything that it has no knowledge about.

    I can't make it any plainer than that, except to once again offer to “discuss” the issue face-to-face with the little girlie-guy.

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  36. Rich Harding1/08/2010 5:15 PM

    Oh, and yes, I am angry. Angry at little insects like Jim's People and the leftist scum that are tearing apart the fiber of our once great country. Tired of an anti-American president and liberal congress that are taxing and spending us into oblivion. Tired of "redistributing" the wealth EARNED by working Americans and handing it over to the fat, lazy scum that WON'T work just so some liberal jerks can get their votes. Tired of low-lifes like Jim's People and the politician/god that he supports out of sheer stupidity.

    Let me re-think this..., no, angry isn't the word. PISSED is more like it!

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  37. I do not know who is more crazy Jim's People or the Hardings. I guess when you are that wacky everyone is a liberal to you.

    I happen to like the green space there on the corner and being able to walk down to get my vegetables a couple times a year. Why do we need to build on it?

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  38. He will fail to build his junk store.

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