2019/06/10 - Mayor's Column: More Updates Around Town
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
Last week, we discussed the major public infrastructure projects planned for the immediate future. This week, I want to share with you a couple of updates about a few private developments around town.
There are four projects that I get asked about on a near daily basis. Here is what we now about their status right now.
Old Pizza Hut: Located directly across from Community Park, this building has sat empty since Pizza Hut moved to a new location in town. The property is currently for sale and the owner is looking for a positive redevelopment of the highly traveled area.
Southview Plaza: Demolition on this weathered shopping center began earlier in the year. We have been told by the owner that they are working with their last tenant and then they will finish demolition of the building. Demolition should be complete by early 2020 and then we will work with a developer to bring something new and exciting to this great O’Fallon corner.
Paul’s Frame Shop: A wonderful development has been proposed on this piece of property. Unfortunately, the older building cannot be salvaged due to its condition. I attended a Rotary Meeting on May 20th where the owner presented his great vision for this project. During that presentation, he stated that demolition of the existing building was to begin within sixty days.
Old Lumber Yard: This piece of property is located across from Walgreens at the corner of Cambridge and Highway 50. There is a proposal for this building to be demolished and a new development to be built. Hi-Point Drive Inn’s Facebook page includes this address as the site of their future restaurant. We are told that demolition and construction should begin later this year.
On a different note, I wanted to take a moment to thank Mr. Horace Humphries for 20+ years of service on our Board of Police & Fire Commissioners. Horace served as chairman of the commission for the past six years. We all owe Mr. Humphries a debt of gratitude for his leadership and dedication. Enjoy your retirement Horace!
I also want to congratulate Raj Tut, Founder and Principal of Gateway Multifamily Group of O’Fallon, who was named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s “30 under 30” for 2019.
Lastly, I want to inform everyone that with the recent actions taken by the State of Illinois legislature, there are a lot of new laws that when they go into effect, will have an impact on our community. This includes a new state budget, online sales tax, legalized sports gambling, recreational marijuana, capital bill, and more. Over the next few months, City Staff and the City Council will be studying the laws and possible impacts. I encourage you to let me and your City Council member know your thoughts on these new laws.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open!