2020/01/06 - Mayor's Column: Looking Forward to 2020

“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
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With 2019 now behind us, we are able to look at what this next year will bring. I believe that 2020 will be equally as successful, at least in O’Fallon, as the previous few years. I like to start off the year with a column sharing my expectations or “vision” for the upcoming 12 months.

First off, growth will continue in O’Fallon. Over the last few months, a number of projects have been given the green light. Some of these are public, some are not yet ready for “prime time”. However, I expect that most of them will move forward in 2020, and with them, O’Fallon will continue its path as the leading community in terms of smart growth in the area.

People will continue to flock to O’Fallon to receive world-class health care, participate in or watch a sporting event, shop, eat, work, or visit a loved one. Last year we saw a great increase in the number of people traveling to O’Fallon, fueled by the continued growth of the HSHS-St. Elizabeth’s Medical Campus, McKendree Metro Rec Plex, and the O’Fallon Family Sports Park. As a result of this growth in visitors, one new hotel opened its doors, and two more are expected to complete construction in the coming year.

Last year resulted in incredible growth in downtown. With the completion of O’Fallon Station and the first year of the Vine Street Market, downtown once again became this community’s central gathering place. The businesses in the downtown area formed the Downtown District, and with it came with new ideas and new energy. There is plenty in store for this next year in the Downtown District.

Public Safety will remain a priority in the coming year. I believe that a community is characterized by its schools and its level of safety. The City of O’Fallon has the best public safety department in the area and the City Council has made it a priority to see that they are properly prepared to keep this community the safest around!

O’Fallon has been the fastest growing community in the Metro East for single-family residential construction for many years. I expect this next year to continue that growth. O’Fallon has become the premier community in which to live, that is why people continue to choose O’Fallon.

We have been working for some time on preparing the area north of Scott Air Force Base, between Exits 19 & 21, for development. Tri-Star Properties has closed on the purchase of land in this area to start development. The City will soon be investing in growth of the sewer infrastructure. This project should really start taking-off soon. 

Last but not least, we will continue to invest in our existing infrastructure, including in the older parts of town, to make sure that O’Fallon will continue to be the best community in the area for a long time!

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!