Print
Share page with AddThis

2017/02/06 - Walter's Blog: Destination O'Fallon Update

Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
 
February 6, 2017

Last November, the City Council approved an increase in the Hotel/Motel Tax to fund a comprehensive economic development initiative to bring visitors to O’Fallon and increase economic activity in O’Fallon. Called “Destination O’Fallon,” the initiative includes a state-of-the-art sports complex at the Family Sports Park, a Downtown Plaza event center, and targeted economic development recruitment strategies.

The goal is for the sports complex and Downtown Plaza to be completed by next fall when the new St. Elizabeth’s Hospital opens and O’Fallon welcomes thousands of new workers and visitors into our community. Destination O’Fallon will enhance O’Fallon’s quality of life with new opportunities in Downtown O’Fallon and the Family Sports Park. The increased business activity from the visitors and new businesses will improve O’Fallon’s economy and add sales tax revenue to address priority projects listed in the City’s Strategic Plan.

Here is an update of our activities to implement Destination O’Fallon:

Downtown Plaza: A Downtown Plan was conducted in 2015 that indicated O’Fallon residents want a place in downtown O’Fallon for events, festivals, and farmer’s markets. A public workshop was held on January 18 to gather community input on what the event space should look like, including pavilions, landscaping, water features, and design features. In addition, an online survey was conducted where more than 540 people responded. We are now compiling the results and will work with our design consultants to develop a draft of the Downtown Plaza according to the workshop and survey responses.

Family Sports Park: A feasibility study was conducted in 2016 that showed that all-weather soccer and baseball fields will attract national and regional tournaments to O’Fallon, which will stimulate the local economy. The state-of-the-art sports complex will include a championship baseball field and up to 10 soccer fields. Surveying has already begun at the site to determine the placement of the fields. A project management contract is on the February 6 City Council meeting agenda to begin the design of the complex.

Business recruitment: The City Council approved a contract in December to work with an O’Fallon-based communications company to develop a targeted economic development strategy to recruit new businesses to O’Fallon. The strategy includes a state-of-the art economic development website and partnerships with local developers to attract new businesses in O’Fallon’s business corridors. The website is under design and will be launched in the spring.