Print
Share page with AddThis

2020/09/08 - Walter's Blog: Master Plan 2040

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

 

What is your vision for the future of O’Fallon? What should City officials focus on? Housing? Parks? Economic Development? Diversity? Safety? On August 31, the City Council kicked off our Master Plan process that will develop the community’s vision and goals for the next 20 years.

Of course, we cannot foresee everything that may happen in the next 20 years (such as a global pandemic), but the Master Plan will be important for aligning City resources toward common goals. You will see numerous opportunities over the coming months to contribute your ideas.

The City Council participated in a visioning session to build a framework for the Master Plan. The discussion was varied and far-reaching, but centered around what makes a great place to live and what elements are required to make that a reality.

Many of the priorities identified by the City Council related to quality of life issues. O’Fallon should be a welcoming community that is safe and provides diversity, quality housing options, and social opportunities. This includes such amenities as great parks, trails, recreation, and community events. There was also considerable conversation about maintaining a “small town feel” where residents feel safe to raise their families and walk or bicycle around town.

Another priority was maintaining the growth that O’Fallon has enjoyed over the past 20 years. In particular, the City Council identified small business growth, downtown development, and creating high-paying jobs for O’Fallon residents. Many businesses have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the aldermen were insistent about providing a business-friendly environment for economic growth and job creation.

The third major area discussed by the City Council was infrastructure. While it is not a very exciting subject, basic infrastructure is a prerequisite for all of the other priorities to happen. We do not think about it very much, but it is essential for our water and sewer systems to work and for our parks and streets to be well maintained.

The story is not over. Now is the time for you to voice your priorities. We cannot have many in-person meetings due to COVID-19, but we are planning several virtual options for you give us your dreams and ideas. Stay tuned for methods to get involved!