2016/02/08 - Walter's Blog: Southview Plaza Rumors

Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton

We have received some questions about what is happening with the Southview Plaza shopping center. The short answer is, we don’t know. While there has been some interest about redeveloping Southview Plaza, we have not received any plans and nothing has been approved by the City Council. The City of O’Fallon is not evicting any of the tenants.

It is our understanding that the current owner is interested in selling the property. Developers have inquired about purchasing Southview Plaza, but the City has not received any proposals nor are we aware of the center being sold to anyone.

However, we have been contacted by current tenants who are looking for a new location, evidently because they will not or cannot stay at Southview Plaza. Southview Cleaners has already moved into the old Huller building on South Lincoln and others are preparing to leave. The City has not kicked out any businesses and our only involvement has been to assist businesses looking to relocate.

You may recall that Southview Plaza and downtown O’Fallon was included in a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to promote redevelopment of these older commercial areas in O’Fallon. Southview Plaza, in particular, has been declining for years and we are hopeful that TIF incentives will rejuvenate the area. If we receive a formal proposal for the redevelopment of Southview Plaza, then we will post it publicly and it will be considered by the City Council for approval.