The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 16

Page2B Wednesday. February 21. 2001 AROUXDIOWA The Des Moines Register GC Quad Cities project gets smaller Judgment sought in effort to block mall-area projects Bettendorf drops out, but Davenport still hopes for money from Vision Iowa. Newton track has opponents individuals counted on to contribute money to help fulfill the local matching requirements of the Vision Iowa board. The private donors wanted Bettendorf to contribute a larger West Des Moines is using a tax- Public hearing A public hearing on the proposed racetrack near Newton will be at 7 p.m.

Tuesday at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Newton. increment financing district to pay for the improvements near 74th Street and E.P. True Parkway. The By COLLEEN KRANTZ REGISTER IOWA CITY BUREAU Davenport, la. Davenport city officials, despite losing a partner for their planned riverfront development project, are intent on getting a cut of the $180 million the state has set aside for community attractions.

Officials say they won't dwell on amount in taxpayer money than it was willing to provide. "The specter of free money' can be a powerful motivator," Bettendorf officials said in a press release. "But it should not lead a government to be foolhardy in its expenditure of public funds." Doing everything local contributors wanted would have put the city much further into debt than proposed improvements include roads, sewers and a fire station. The tax districts allow cities to borrow money against future Bettendorf 's decision to back out of growth in defined areas and then pay off the loans with the excess what was supposed to be a joint project. Nor will they VISION Putting some fun in the state worry that the Vision Iowa board of direc tors has promised at least taxes generated by the development.

Iowa law reserves the districts for refurbishing blighted areas or stimulating economic development. West Des Moines attorneys say the malls are worried about competition from General Growth more than an alleged violation of Iowa law. "This case is not about General Growth's project," said Ed Rems-burg, an attorney working for the suburb. "We don't dispute the roads will benefit General Growth, but they are not private roads. They $30 million to Dubuque for a separate project showcasing the Mississippi River.

est Des Moines and two other malls disagree on the legality of a financing plan. By DANIEL P. FINNEY REGISTER STAFF WRITER West Des Moines city leaders are trying to give an illegal gift to General Growth Properties to encourage the developer to build a $200 million mall in the suburb, attorneys representing Merle Hay and Valley West malls argued Tuesday in Polk County District Court. The city is using "a cute sleight of hand" approach in trying to pay for road, sewer and other improvements surrounding the proposed 200-acre mall, said attorney William Koehn. They say the case doesn't have to do with General Growth, when it's the central part of their plan." Merle Hay and Valley West malls are suing West Des Moines to block the proposed shopping center.

The malls argue the city is illegally using a special taxing district to build $60 million worth of improvements near the site where General Growth wants to build. Attorneys on both sides of the case asked Polk County District Court Judge Linda Reade to issue a judgment before the case goes to trial. Ve were a little bit surprised by Bettendorf's decision, but it's also easy to understand, Davenport Mayor Phil Yerington said Tues officials were comfortable with, said Steve VanDyke, Bettendorf's community development director. Representatives of one of the potential contributors, Isle of Capri Casinos, said the project outgrew the available money. "It wasn't making sense to everybody anymore that it was the right time and the right formula to make this work," said Nancy Donovan, the riverboat's general manager.

Bettendorf officials were also concerned that a proposed convention center and performing arts center would have lost money, VanDyke said. "It's not that they would lose money every year, but the reports tell us they are expected to lose an average of dollars in a year," he said. While the plans for a convention center, a marina and other elements have been set aside, Bettendorf will continue on its own toward construction of a per day. "It really has not been discouraging to us, other than the fact By MARK SIEBERT REGISTER STAFF WRITER Racing fans might be excited about a proposed motor speedway near Newton, but some Jasper County residents are concerned. Track opponents question whether a California developer has the ability to finish the project.

They also wonder why the county would sell property once the site of the county care facility. The proposed site south of Newton includes land owned by the county since 1868. Some land was donated by Nettie Jones, said Newton resident Marvin Woods. Woods said he knew Jones and doubts she would have donated the land if she had known the county would quit helping the needy and "would just give the property away to some stranger." Leo Van Elswyk, chairman of the Jasper County Board of Supervisors, said he thinks most residents support the proposed racetrack, tentatively called the Iowa Speedway. Maytag Corp.

officials recently approached the supervisors expressing interest, saying it would be a way to keep young people in the area, Van Elswyk said. "The opposition is mostly from the people who live close, and I can understand that," he said. The county essentially would donate the land, south of Interstate Highway 80, and offer tax breaks to developer Jerry Lowrie. Money would also come from the Vision Iowa program. The Legislature created the $180 million program last year that we have to do some last- are public roads tor all to use.

Reade took the motions under review. She has three options: She may rule in favor of either the to help communities develop attractions. Details of the Jasper County track remain sketchy. Residents don't expect to hear cost estimates or grandstand seating capacity until a public hearing next week. An earlier proposal called for a mile-long oval asphalt track for stock, sports and open-wheel cars.

Grandstand seating was projected at 40,000 to 65,000. Cost estimates were about $80 million. Lowrie, the project's developer, is now working on the Yosemite Motor Speedway, a racing venue in Madera, Calif. The track has a Web site that boasts it will be "the fastest one-mile speedway in the world." Construction has yet to start. Newton resident Bob Mick has his doubts that ground ever will be broken "under any circumstances." Mick wants the county to investigate Lowrie's background and ability to finance both projects.

The county supervisors have denied a rumor that they intended to build the track before the care facility was closed last year. Reporter Mark Slebert can be reached at (515) 284-8127 or sieberlmnews.dmreg.com malls or West Des Moines; deny both motions for judgment and order the case to go to trial; or rule on parts ot both motions and order other portions of the case to go to trial. minute fine-tuning of the application." Davenport, along with Scott County, will ask for about $30 million instead of $60.7 million from Vision Iowa for the River Renaissance project. The price tag for the project will drop from $223.5 million to about $115 million. "We thought we had some advantage in our multijurisdic-tional approach, but I understand we might have been putting more importance on that than we should have," Yerington said.

The Davenport project would feature a $43 million arts center, a $62.4 million river music history Reporter Daniel P. Finney can be reached at (515) 284-8503 or finneydnews.dmreg.com f. 1 i. I .1 iSaSii White Double Hung A 1MV11 ruutv MkKHt forming arts center, VanDyke said. The city will save $3.4 million for the project each of the next five years, he said.

Bettendorf doesn't have plans to ask for Vision Iowa money for other projects. "We fully intend on assisting Davenport if they want, though," VanDyke said. The Davenport and Scott County application to Vision Iowa should be turned in by the first week of March, officials said. Reporter Colleen Krantz can be reached at (319)351-6527 or krantznews.dmreg.com center and a $7.6 million center to help new agricultural technology i WILL CUT VOUR HEATING BILLS a ft! (W V8 businesses get started. The facilities would be in downtown Davenport and along the river.

GUARANTEED Wi WRITING JT 6 WINDOWS C5f AMERICA M.A 1 a KJ UH I 111 vi M. Bettendorf's portion of the project fell apart during negotiations with businesses and -w- C- 25 99th Street Urbiidile, IA 50322 515-727-4825 or Tell free 177-372-2743 ,) 9Ji j2ct zfA j.T Cabbie says he gave drug to teen in OfQ if- By LIN0SEY A. HENRY REGISTEH STAFF WHITER A Des Moines cab driver faces up to 25 years in prison after admitting Tuesday that he gave a 14-year-old Urbandale student crack cocaine while taking her to a youth shelter. Jerry Ballew, 37, picked up the girl at Urbandale Hieh School in August with instructions to take her to Youth Emergency Services and Shelter, 918 S.E. 1 1th St.

On the way to the shelter. Ballew stonned on the north side for the drue and proceeded to take the girl on a crack-cocaine binge, police said. Baltew, ot 3o5I N.E. 57th pleaded guilty of supplying an illegal drug to a minor. He will be sentenced in April for the felony.

Schuvler Haines, the pirl's father, said he was glad Ballew pieaaea guilty. It has caused mv familv a lot nf grief," Haines said of the incident. My daughter was in a Droirram trying to get heln. and this euv comes along offering her drugs," said Haines, who said he hopes nm Methodist tsaiiew receives the maximum Lutheran sentence. "The bottom line is this guy could have killed my daughter, UULJ Iowa Health Ski hm The relationship you have with your healthcare provider should be one of mutual trust.

Not only do Methodist and Lutheran offer you an entire facility dedicated to seniors and specially designed health and wellness programs, our people offer a promise to understand you, and treat you like a true partner. And that makes all the difference. www.ihsdesmoines.org taKen ner away trom me forever. How would he feel if someone Working together. Making a difference.

Women's Services came along and did this to one of nis Kiosr Ballew Dossed a hackirrniinH check when he betran working for Capitol Cab Co. and had no previous job-related complaints against him. Youth Emereencv Services and Shelter is a nonprofit agency that provides outreach to children, including those who are hnmpless Senor Health Screenings FREE HEARING SCREENINGS Wednesday.April 4 Noon to 4 p.m. FREE FOOT SCREENINGS FridayApril 20 9 to 1 1 a.m. Calf 241-2442 to make an appointment LOCATION Lakeview Center for Senior Health 6000 University Ave, Suite A-20, West Des Moines runaways, abused or battlin? drue Women's Health Information Consider us your source for women's health information.

Just call 241-3432 and our nurses will personally respond to all your health-related questions. We can also provide you with up-to-date printed materials on various health topics as well as provide you with a physician referral. We're here to serve you. Call now for our free women's health information guide. or alcohol problems.

LifePlus Now Educational Classes No registration needed. "IS ITTHE BLUES OR DEPRESSION?" Thursday, March 8 10 a.m. "VOCAL WELLNESS -WHEN TALKING IS TOUGH" Thursday, April 12 10 a.m. LOCATION Greenwood Room Plymouth Congregational Church 4126 Ingersoll Des Moines Nifty Over Fifty Nifty Over Fifty is designed to give support, information, direction and guidance in all aspects of health and well-being. This is achieved by offering programs under the direction of highly trained professional staff from the Iowa Methodist and Iowa Lutheran Wellness Department Our program is about life enhancement Each session focuses on a specific health topic such as cardiovascular exercise, Increasing strength, improving flexibility, balance and self-confidence.

Call 241-6701 for more information. Reporter Lindsey Henry can be reached or henrylnews.dmreg.com Consumer Choke 1 Iowa Mi limhl Mnii ill Cnilrr Dm MotoM Moat PrafwrM HocpNal OvnH Ouatlty and tnugfl 2000 HMllhcart Martial Qulda CALL 241-3432 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER SERVICES. Call 284-8311 or 800-365-4692.