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2020/01/21 - Mayor's Column: 2020 Is Off to a Hot Start!

“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
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The new year has jumped out to a fast start. However, I didn’t expect things to slow down after a great 2019.

Each year, we provide the City Council with an update on our economic development initiatives. It is easy to become accustomed to the growth in O’Fallon. Over the past few years, we have had so much positive development, it seems like everywhere you go in O’Fallon there is construction.

With that being said, we must remember that many other communities would love to have just a portion of the growth O’Fallon has had. Many communities are shrinking in size and residents and visitors are moving out. That is not the case in O’Fallon, where we continue to gain residents and new businesses every day.

We continue to work hard to attract people to O’Fallon through our branding strategy “build it here.” Perhaps you have seen some of the new signage around town or on social media. We just released a new video in partnership with the Village of Shiloh and O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce. You can watch the video at https://www.ofallonillinois.org/success-story/why-should-you-build-it-here/.

There is so much construction going on, including:

  • Mid America Commerce Center: Tri-Star properties has closed on the first 20 acres of this major development north of Exit 21. This will be the next large job and value generator in the area. We are hopeful to see construction beginning this spring/summer.
  • The Shops at Richland Creek: a 17.23-acre mixed-used development at the corner of Central Park Drive, Green Mount Road, and Frank Scott. This will be in the open field behind Jimmy John’s. The site will include multiple retail and restaurant locations.
  • Hampton Inn: located next to the Regency Conference Center, this new hotel opened a few days ago.
  • Fairfield Inn: located across the street from Menard’s, this hotel is set to open in the summer.
  • Drake’s: next door to the future Fairfield Inn. This new restaurant is the first of its kind in the area and will be another food destination in O’Fallon.
  • Keystone Place: a senior living facility on Frank Scott Parkway, expected to open by the end of 2020.
  • Cancer Care Center: located between St. Elizabeth’s and Interstate 64, this state-of-the-art clinic will continue to add to O’Fallon’s presence on the Metro East’s “Medical Mile.” This should be open in the spring.
  • Aberdeen Village: 200+ townhomes and commercial outlets located across the street from the McKendree Metro RecPlex.
  • Vantage Point: another senior living facility located north of the YMCA on Seven Hills Road.
  • Insite Professional Park: tucked behind the Green Mount Harley Davidson, this multi-facility office park is nearly complete and is filling up fast.
  • Hi-Point Drive In: located where the old lumber mill currently sits, this development should begin over the next few months.

There is also so much energy and development in downtown O’Fallon, now known as the “Downtown District”. Over the past few years, over $5 million has been invested in new buildings in O’Fallon’s historic core.

We have also been informed that the remaining portion of Southview Plaza will be demolished no later than May 2020. We have not seen nor heard of plans for the next phase, but we are as excited as all of you to get something new at this spot.

I know that I have left a few off the list, but when there is just so much to talk about, its hard to fit it in one column!

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!