2016/05/23 - Walter's Blog: Old City Hall & Downtown

May 23, 2016

The big news of the week is the sale of O’Fallon’s Old City Hall. On May 16, the City Council voted to sell the building to Brad McMillin for $10,000. McMillan plans to restore and remodel the building for a future commercial use.

Old City Hall was constructed in 1890 and housed the city government until 1997 when the current City Hall opened. The building has sat largely vacant since then and requires significant repairs to be restored to modern building standards.

The City did not have a use for the building nor the money to remodel, so a Request for Proposals (RFP) was released. We received two proposals and the City Council determined that Brad McMillin’s plan most closely met the criteria established in the RFP.

The sales contract approving the sale is only the beginning of the process. Closing on the sale is conditional on the future City Council approval of zoning, subdivision, and redevelopment agreement. There are also performance requirements that McMillin must do the work or ownership returns to the City.

The building is in the Central City Tax Increment Financing District and many of the improvements will be eligible for TIF reimbursement. I think most people would agree that the Old City Hall is blighted and is deserving of TIF funds.

But that’s not all that’s happening in Downtown O’Fallon. Two new businesses recently opened: Courage and Grace and the Indoor Earthworm. In addition, a women’s apparel store and yoga studio are planned to open soon on First Street.

Downtown O’Fallon is currently enjoying a resurgence of activity and I believe this is reflective of O’Fallon residents’ attitude toward the community as a whole. A healthy downtown is a healthy community. Similarly, I would be remiss not to mention the beautiful planters and landscaping around Downtown and City Hall provided by the O’Fallon Parks & Recreation Department. Well done!