2024/01/08 - Mayor's Column: Town Hall Meeting
“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
On Wednesday January 17th I will be holding my 24th Town Hall Meeting at City Hall at 6 PM. We will cover three subjects during the meeting:
- What would you like to see go onto the old Southview Shopping area at Hwy. 50 and South Lincoln?
- What types of new construction have already been approved to start construction in 2024?
- How did O’Fallon fare against other Illinois communities in financial rating by S & P Financial Services?
I will have several different hypothetical concepts to discuss and share with everyone that could be developed on the Southview site. That site still has over three acres available for new development after the new Starbucks Coffee facility is built on the northern portion of the property next to Hwy. 50.
Later in January, the City Council will take up this discussion, but I would like to get our citizens feedback and top recommendations so that they will have it as they discuss it.
This is not about any given types of stores or companies because we cannot guarantee that a company would like to locate there or that the owner of the land can work out the required needs of some firms, but it is more about what types of land uses, and layout would be preferred. Additionally, this site has been a focal point of the Forward 50 planning process, including a general concept and a proforma for the Southview site will be completed to identify real development potentials.
This is an excellent opportunity for any of our citizens to come and give us your recommendations on how you would like to see it developed before any types of plans are submitted, so I hope that you will join us on the 17th. The meeting will probably run for about 90 minutes.
On a separate note, the weather is forecasted to dip in the low single digits or possible negative degrees over the next two weeks. Please remember that there are a number of city facilities that can serve as a warming shelter if needed. City Hall and the Fire HQ on Venita Road are open 8:30 – 4:30 Monday – Friday; the O’Fallon Public Safety Facility can be used 24/7; and the O’Fallon Public Library can be used during anytime they are open. The OPL’s hours of operation are available to view at https://www.ofpl.info/.
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.