2023/01/17 - Mayor's Column: Southview
“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
The new year is off to a fast start for the future development of O’Fallon.
Before I start, I want to give recognition to Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Dr. King did so much to champion diversity in our country through non-violent means. Maybe we wouldn’t have had all the violence that we have seen during the past two years if we had truly remembered his words.
Last year, we saw the approval of over 700 new residential units, whether that be single family homes, townhomes, duplexes, or apartments. This is the largest number of new developments approved in the city’s history in one year.
These new facilities matched many of the needs detailed in the city’s 2040 Master Plan. They offered a variety of different types of housing; they also offered some more obtainable housing, and it offered housing to fit the needs of individuals and families at different stages of their life. Younger residents favor apartments and duplexes as they are getting started. Families tend to be attracted to single-family housing. And villas, apartments and duplexes are attracting those wishing to retire and downsize. We want O’Fallon to be a place where people can call home throughout their lives.
On the 10th of January, the Planning Commission gave their approval for the advancement to the Community Development Committee of the new development on the old Southview Plaza Shopping Center.
This was a completely revised plan for the redevelopment of the old Southview Plaza site. This new plan offers a totally different look for that area with a Starbucks in front on Rt. 50, about seven new retail shops and a multi-story residential facility that will have inside parking with it.
In addition to this, it also has many improvements that were asked for by the Council. One of the main items was a much-improved water retention plan, which will include underground retention. This was a major concern by the citizens in the Southview Gardens and neighboring areas because in the past there was no water retention and the runoff from the old plaza contributed to the flooding and loss of property to homes along the drainage area that runs through Southview and neighboring subdivisions. This improvement for the water retention was championed by Council Members Roy Carney and Todd Roach.
Until each phase is fully developed, the old rock and asphalted areas will be put into grass which will also help with water retention.
It was good to see this proposal come forward after working with many groups over the last two years to see what could best be developed after it being vacant for about three years.
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.