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2022/08/08 - Mayor's Column: Downtown's Growth

 

­“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH


A few weeks ago, I mentioned in my weekly article that we are always looking at ways to make sure that we maintain a good solid financial rating and be fiscally responsible to our taxpayers. With every expenditure, we carefully evaluate the need and return on investment.

The city has made a significant investment in the downtown area over the past few years, and it is really starting to pay dividends! Due to the effort of the city and our Downtown District businesses working together, businesses are growing, people are flocking to downtown, and the area is full of action!

Here are some of the positives that have occurred over the last seven years:

  • Sales tax produced by businesses in Downtown has increased by over 150%.
  • Valuation of property in downtown has risen by 33%.

You ask what has made this type of Growth possible?  Here are a few of the things that have gone into it:

  1. Cooperation between the City and the local businesses.
  2. The Vine Street Market and the effort of our volunteers and park staff.
  3. Special events and attractions.
  4. The city’s assistance supplying outside marketing input and online advertising. We also partner with the IllinoiSouth Tourism Bureau to help attract people to O’Fallon.
  5. Over 100 new lighted and paved parfking spots.
  6. New street lighting in the downtown area. This will continue into other streets downtown as well as plans for new streetscapes on State Street and Lincoln.
  7. The city’s façade program where we help businesses improve the exterior of their building.
  8. Paintings, murals, and decorations in the downtown area.
  9. We are also continuing to convert our old Christmas decorations over to new ones.

One other item that may not be noticed was our continuing efforts to work with our businesses to see what could be done during COVID to keep them operating.

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.