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New Developments in Southwestern Illinois

Southwestern Illinois is a dynamic real estate and development market that has experienced significant economic growth over the past several years. To illustrate this, the Leadership Council’s most recent Market Review and Investment Update details almost $4 billion in public and private investments that were announced, under construction or completed during the 12-month period which ended August 31, 2006. The following projects are examples of just some of the most recent significant industrial, commercial, public, and office & institutional developments in Madison and St. Clair Counties.

Please select a sector:

Industrial Sector | Commercial Sector | Office & Institutional Sectors | Public Sector

The information in this section is compiled from local media sources. The Leadership Council assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. If you know of other significant projects that you would like to see included, please follow the format of the following examples and e-mail the relevant details to kwilson@siue.edu for consideration.

Industrial Sector Developments

Tri-City Regional Port District plans $35 million in investments

The Tri-City Port is proceeding with plans for $35 million worth of projects at its facilities in Granite City. The plans include a proposed $30 million new harbor slip, for which they will need approval from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The goal is to begin construction within three years. The District is also moving forward with a $2.2 million project to extend the existing railroad network inside its River’s Edge Industrial Park, as well as a $2.4 million project to renovate roads within the development to make it easier to ship goods between the proposed new south harbor and the existing north harbor. (Posted June 2008)

Proctor & Gamble to move into $40 million space at Gateway Commerce Center

Proctor & Gamble has plans to occupy Gateway Commerce Center’s Westway III building, which is currently undergoing a $40 million expansion. The facility, which is located in Madison County, is more than doubling its size, growing from 578,967 square feet to 1.2 million square feet. Proctor & Gamble recently signed the lease, which is worth $4.2 million annually, and has plans to consolidate leases it has with other buildings in the area for its distribution purposes. Contegra Construction Co., based in Edwardsville, will act as the General Contractor on the project, which is expected to be completed later this year. (Posted June 2008)

U.S. Steel begins $570 million expansion project in Granite City

U.S. Steel Corp. and SunCoke Energy Inc. recently broke ground on a $570 million joint capital project at the steel company’s Granite City Works in Granite City, Ill. U.S. Steel will provide $280 million to fund the joint project. The new facility, expected to be completed in 18 months, will use SunCoke’s low-emission technology to process coal into coke, a key ingredient in steelmaking. The energy generated in the coke-making process will be use in a cogeneration plant that will provide electricity to Granite City Works. Construction will create approximately 900 temporary jobs at its peak, and 88 full time positions are expected to be created when the facility is completed. (Posted May 2008)

Sev-Rend Corp. to Move Headquarters to Collinsville

Sev-Rend, a St. Louis-based manufacturer of high-performance packaging products, will move its headquarters to Collinsville from its current location in St. Louis. The $3.6 million, 45,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters will provide office space, manufacturing facilities and expansion room for the company, allowing Sev-Rend to expand its staff by the time it moves. Additionally, the company will receive tax increment financing by relocating the business in Collinsville. (Posted April 2008)

Madison County Transit Transfer Facility to be Built in Downtown Alton

Madison County Transit has broken ground on a $4.3 million bus transfer facility in downtown Alton. The new Alton Transfer Station, which will be the last of five new MCT passenger transfer facilities, will include a climate-controlled waiting area and accommodate more than 450,000 passengers each year. The facility will be located between Sixth and Seventh streets, bordered by Piasa Street to the east and Belle Street to the west. J.J. Wuellner Inc. will be in charge of construction of the project, which should be completed by summer 2009. (Posted April 2008)

National Voyage Corp. Planning Multi-million Distribution Facility in Granite City

Huntington Beach, Calif.-based National Voyage Corp. recently paid $1.7 million for an 86-acre site at 1020 Niedringhaus Ave. in Granite City. The company has plans to redevelop the former Granite City Steel property into a $25-$50 million distribution center for its import-export operations. Demolition is expected to begin immediately to tear down the old metal buildings on the site to make way for the new 340,000 – 560,000-square-foot facility. Pending environmental clean up at the site, construction should be underway by summer 2008. (Posted February 2008)

Turner Electric to Build Plant in Edwardsville

Turner Electric LLC is in the process of building a new 65,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and headquarters in Edwardsville at the Gateway Commerce Center. Contegra Construction, Co. will be handling the $4 million project for the designer and manufacturer of air-break switches and substantiation switching apparatus. The new building is expected to be completed early in 2008. (November 2007)

Distribution Center Planned for Sauget

Clayco and Blake Brown Associates recently announced they will develop a new distribution facility within the 255 Logistics Center in Sauget, Ill. The facility will be 502,500 square feet, and will be expandable up to 800,000 square feet. Construction is scheduled to be completed in February 2008. (Posted November 2007)

$12.5 Million Ethanol Transit Hub to be Built in Sauget

A $12.5 million transportation facility in Sauget is being planned by Gateway Terminals LLC. The facility will help transport millions of gallons of fuel by rail, river barge and truck to various markets and should be completed by the second quarter of 2008. This terminal will be the fourth in the nation able to move trainloads of ethanol. (Posted May 2007)

Union Contract Should Help $1 Billion Project at Wood River Refinery

A $1 billion project announced for the ConocoPhillips Wood River Refinery in Roxana should be moving closer to reality thanks to a seven-year contract extension agreed upon by the 10 unions that represent the company’s workers. With contract negotiations out of the way, ConocoPhillips can now focus on expanding the 2,500-acre refinery’s oil production output to approximately 406,000 barrels each day. Due to a partnership between ConocoPhillips and EnCana, the plant’s oil production will also be converted from refined petroleum to heavy Canadian crude oil over the next several years. (Posted April 2007)

$ 200 Million Ethanol Plant Planned for Madison

Chesterfield-based Abengoa Bioenergy Corp. is expanding into Madison, Ill. with the development of a $200 million ethanol plant. When the plant is completed in 2009, it will employ 50 to 60 people and produce up to 88 million gallons of ethanol each year. Final approval on the project’s air permit will allow Abengoa to start construction before the end of this year. (Posted March 2007)

This document draws from local media sources to provide a brief overview of just some of the most recent significant industrial and commercial developments in Madison and St. Clair Counties. The Leadership Council assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. If you know of other significant projects that you would like to see included, please follow the format of the examples above and e-mail the relevant details to kwilson@siue.edu for consideration.

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Commercial Sector Developments

Bank Breaks Ground in Wood River

First Clover Leaf Bank recently broke ground on its newest branch at the intersection of Central and Madison avenues in Wood River. The $2 million, 2,500-square-foot building is being constructed on the southwest corner of the intersection. The new bank will be full-service with three drive-through lanes, a drive-up automated teller machine and safe deposit boxes. Completion is scheduled for early spring 2008. (Posted February 2008)

Fairview Heights Approves $6.5 Million Hotel Development

The Fairview Heights City Council has approved development of a $6.5 million Holiday Inn at 313 Salem Place. The four-story hotel will have 88 rooms, 132 parking spaces, a restaurant, pool and 2,200 square feet of banquet and meeting space. (Posted February 2008)

Big Retail Development Coming to Granite City

Quadrant Properties LLC is planning a 36-acre retail development in Granite City. Gateway Village, which will be on the west side of Route 3, just south of Interstate 270, is expected to include a mix of retail, entertainment and dining options, as well as a bank branch. Quadrant has committed to making $7 million in infrastructure improvements at the Granite City site. Site work is expected to begin in July with the first businesses opening in 2009. (Posted February 2008)

$15 Million Upgrade Planned for Alton Square

The owner of Alton Square released architect’s renderings of at least $15 million in improvements planned for the mall. The owner has sent new leases to three current tenants who say they want to expand into larger spaces. A fourth store may expand in the spring of 2009, and Alton Square is also receiving interest from other prospective tenants who are considering a location in the enhanced mall. (Posted February 2008)

New Hotel Being Built in Columbia

Ground has been broken for Columbia’s first hotel, a 78-room Hampton Inn. The $6 million hotel will be located near the intersection of Illinois Route 3 and Valmeyer Road. Come June of 2008, guests will enjoy a whole range of amenities at the new hotel, including a fitness center, indoor pool and free high-speed Internet access. (Posted November 2007)

Construction Planned for Two New Banks in Wood River

Two banks are breaking ground in the growing city of Wood River: The Bank of Edwardsville and First Clover Leaf. Construction began on The Bank of Edwardsville’s 3,000-square-foot building on September 19, and First Clover Leaf broke ground on its 2,500-square-foot building in October. Both projects are estimated at $2 million each. (Posted November 2007)

$400 Million Development Planned for Collinsville

More than 400 acres of land located near Horseshoe Lake Road and I-255 has been purchased for a planned $400 million mixed-use development that will include an 18,500-seat soccer stadium and multiple amateur soccer fields, a 300,000-square-foot retail and office complex, about 1600 units of residential housing and two 120-room hotels. The project aims to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Collinsville. The complex will include a $30-$35 million bond issue from the city that would be repaid with revenue from sales taxes, concessions, parking fees, amusement, business and hotel-motel taxes. (Posted October 2007)

Work on Alton Amphitheater Continues

Construction on the 4,000-seat amphitheater in Alton’s Riverfront Park is coming along as planned and is currently in the sixth phase of work. The amphitheater will stand 45 feet tall once completed. Other improvements being made to the park include the incorporation of a new plaza and fountain, parking spaces, concrete curbs, sanitary and storm sewers, plantings and lighting. An overpass featuring a pedestrian bridge will also run from Langdon Street at East Broadway south to Riverfront Park and west toward the Argosy Casino. Completion for the project is set for 2009. (Posted October 2007)

$100 Million Development Coming to Shiloh

A new $100 million commercial and residential development was approved by Shiloh officials in July. The Villages at Wingate, which will be located along Green Mount Road, will add a new elementary school to Mascoutah School District 19, along with 268 single-family homes, senior-living apartments and 135,000 square feet of retail stores and office space. Construction on the 172-acre project will begin next month. (Posted October 2007)

Work Begins on Conference Center and Hotels

Ground was recently broken for two new hotels and a conference center at the intersection of I-64 and Green Mount Road in O’Fallon. Once complete, the 82-acre site will be home to an 88,000-square-foot Hilton Garden Inn, its 32,250-square-foot conference center, a four-story, 99-room Hampton Inn Hotel and surrounding office park. The project is expected to cost $100 million, and the initial hotels and conference center are expected to be completed by the fall of 2008. (Posted August 2007)

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Office and Institutional Sectors Developments

Lakeview Commerce Center to double in size with two new buildings

The Lakeview Commerce Center in Edwardsville is adding two more buildings to the current 700-acre complex, more than doubling its size with these new additions. Panattoni Development Co. has plans to build a 1.2-million-square-foot speculative building, with construction expected to begin late fall or early spring. Panattoni’s second building, a 700,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center, will serve Maryland Heights-based World Wide Technology Inc., Construction for this building is expected to be complete by the end of the year. Today, Lakeview Commerce center has 1.6 million square feet of warehouse and is expected to expand to over 7 million square feet of space within 4 years. (Posted June 2008)

Construction begins on $3.6 million Eastport Tech Center II

Construction has begun on the $3.6 million, 47,000-square-foot Eastport Tech Center II facility, which is located in the Eastport Plaza business park in Collinsville. The property will serve as an office space, warehouse and service center for several of the facility’s tenants. Construction is expected to be complete by September. (Posted June 2008)

$16.5 Mil. Field Station Coming to NGRREC in Alton

A new $16.5 million field station is being developed as a cooperative effort by Lewis & Clark Community College and 11 other organizations for the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center in Alton. The facility is being built adjacent to the Great Rivers Museum near the Melvin Price Locks and Dam along the Mississippi and will include environmentally friendly and energy efficient features such as a vegetative roof, bamboo floors, innovative wastewater technology and onsite wind and hydro power. Construction recently got underway, and the building is expected to receive a Platinum LEED Certification by the U.S. Green Building once it is completed in 2009. (Posted April 2008)

New $93.6 million Facility Coming to SAFB

Ground was recently broken for a $93.6 million U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) facility at Scott Air Force Base. East Peoria, Ill.-based River City Construction will build the 180,000-square-foot, three-story building behind USTRANSCOM’s current headquarters. USTRANSCOM will use the facility for its permanent headquarters for the U.S. Army’s Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). The project is expected to be completed in 2010. (Posted April 2008)

New Family Life, Student Center in Maryville

Construction was recently completed on the 15,000 square-foot family life center and 17,000 square-foot student center at the First Baptist Church in Maryville. The $3.4 million building also houses a gymnasium and classrooms. (Posted February 2008)

Prairie State Energy Campus to Open in Shiloh

Shiloh has been chosen as the location for the corporate headquarters of the Prairie State Energy Campus, which is currently under construction in Washington County, Ill. The corporate offices, which will be known as Prairie State Generating Co., are in the Parkway Sixty-Four Corporate Center. Employees were expected to be operating from the new offices by February 2008. (Posted February 2008)

BJC Healthcare Plans Expansion

The St. Louis-based health-care system recently closed on an undeveloped 111-acre plot in Shiloh, near Green Mount Road and Interstate 64 interchange. BJC is buying the property for an undisclosed amount, with plans to develop a new healthcare facility there at some point in the future. (Posted February 2008)

Ground Broken for Freshman-Only School in O’Fallon

O’Fallon School District 203, along with city and state leaders, recently celebrated the start of construction for a freshman-only high school campus, expected to open in the fall of 2009. The new site is anticipated to hold about 850 students. Last spring, a $37.5 million bond was issued for the project. The District also recently expanded the existing O’Fallon Township High School. The $3.7 million renovation, which was completed in January, includes seven classrooms, two chemistry labs and 1,000 square feet of administrative office space (Posted February 2008)

SIUE to Invest $63 Million in School Projects

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced it is investing more than $63 million in 13 projects over the next year and a half. In August, the second phase of a $10.8 million housing project should be complete. The $10.5 million expansion of the Student Fitness center and the $16.6 million Student Success Center are planned to begin in March 2008 and should be completed by May 2009. Also targeted for completion in the coming months is the $10 million Wrestling and Volleyball Center; the $1.6 million renovation of the University Center Bookstore; a $6 million renovation to the Vadalabene Center gymnasium and a $2 million renovation and expansion of the Early Childhood Center. (Posted February 2008)

Global Logistics Support Center to be Built at Scott Air Force Base

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded St. Louis-based K&S Associates Inc. the $8.1 million design/build contract to build a new global logistics support center at Scott Air Force Base. The support center will serve as the Air Force's supply chain manager. The 32,000-square-foot center is expected to be completed by the summer of 2009. (Posted November 2007)

Meridian Centre Two Now Complete in Glen Carbon

The $2.1 million Meridian Centre Two office building has been completed on Illinois Route 157 in Glen Carbon. The three-story building, which is a mirror image of Meridian Centre One, adds 25,000 square feet of professional office space to the community. (Posted November 2007)

Millstadt Primary School Nears Completion

Over 80 percent of the construction is complete on the new Millstadt Primary School. Major construction will wrap up on the $6.4 million facility in December and students will be ready to move in by March. The school received a $110,739 grant from the Clean Energy Community Foundation to allow a geothermal heating and cooling system to be installed. The school will be able to hold up to 500 students, pre-kindergarten through second grades. (Posted November 2007)

SIUE Gets Approval for Student Academic Center

The Southern Illinois University’s Board of Trustees recently approved the final budget for the construction of the new Student Academic Success Center on campus. The estimated $16.6 million project, funded through student fees, is expected to begin in spring 2008 with a target completion date of June 2009. The 66,000-square-foot center will serve residential students who need academic-student support services. In other SIUE news, a $10.5 million expansion of the student fitness center also was approved and is expected to be completed by May 2009. It will add office space and several multipurpose rooms. (Posted November 2007)

Expansion at Eden Village Retirement Center Underway

The Eden Village Retirement Center in Glen Carbon is expanding its 40-year-old retirement community by constructing an additional senior living building for its residents. The new $20 million facility is expected to open in mid-November and will feature 82 one- and two- bedroom apartments. All of Eden’s buildings will connect, allowing residents to walk about freely without having to go outside. (Posted October 2007)

Army Reserve Center to Open in Granite City

Tri-City Port Authority officials confirmed recently that several of the old buildings that made up Melvin C. Price Support Center in Granite City will be demolished to make way for a new 77,000-square-foot Army Reserve Center. The center will cost $14.5 million and will house 600 reservists. Completion is scheduled for July 21, 2009. (Posted October 2007)

Newly Built East St. Louis Middle School Opens Doors to Incoming Students

Dr. William E. Mason-Douglas W. Clark Middle School, a brand new $21.5 million facility located at 5510 State St. in East St. Louis, recently opened its doors to students. Replacing the 77-year-old George Rogers Clark School, the state of the art 144,000-square-foot facility can house up to 1,000 students. Features of the school include two gymnasiums, a glassed-in cafeteria and classrooms for sixth, seventh and eight graders divided into wings. The building also includes air conditioning, which wasn’t available in the previous school. (Posted October 2007)

New Red Cross Facility Relocating to SIUE Campus

The Red Cross is planning on moving the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region Headquarters and a national testing lab to a 15-acre site on the SIUE Campus. The new $50 million, 170,000-square-foot facility will replace the existing operation in downtown St. Louis, relocating approximately 500 jobs to the Edwardsville area. Ground will break on the project next spring, with construction expected to be completed by Fall 2009. (Posted October 2007)

Anderson Medical Office Expansion Underway

Construction work began on the east side of Anderson Hospital in July. The $6.7 million medial office building will be completed in about 11 months, and the 32,000-square-foot building will house Anderson’s business and education offices, while the rest of the space will be leased to physicians. The building will at first house 10 to 12 physicians, with expected future expansion. (Posted August 2007)

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Recent News from the Public Sector

$7 million expansion to benefit several tenants at St. Louis Regional Airport

Several tenants at East-Alton-based St. Louis Regional Airport are investing approximately $7 million in various expansion projects at the current 600-acre facility. Tenants who are investing in the airport’s expansion include West Star Aviation Inc., which estimates a total of nearly $4 million towards expansion and renovations at the company’s airport location; Fabritech Inc, which has plans to expand the current warehouse and office space by nearly 5,000 square feet, investing $2 million to $3 million; and Langa Air, Inc, which plans to expand their facility to include a weather center, additional classrooms and extra parking space. The estimated economic impact of St. Louis Regional Airport and its tenants totals over $80 million annually and activity from the airport has generated close to 570 full-time jobs. (Posted June 2008)

$1.5 million air park to be built at Scott Air Force Base

Construction on a $1.5 million Scott Air Force Heritage Park is currently underway at the air force base in Mascoutah, Ill. The park will display aircraft both currently and previously used by the Air Force in support of its transportation mission and will be open to the public 24 hours a day. The park will cover 11 acres of public land, which is owned by St. Clair County, just outside the Shiloh Gate on the base. To date, more than $300,000 has been raised by the air park committee for project. (Posted June 2008)

Scott Air Force Base to Spend $388 Million on Renovations and Expansions

Scott Air Force Base plans to spend $388 million on renovations and expansions within the next two years. Approximately $188 million will cover 70 different renovation and construction projects that are currently underway and an additional $200 million will be used to renovate residential housing on the 3,600-acre airbase. Some of the largest new construction projects that are currently underway include an $84 million U.S. Transportation Command facility; a $20 million three-story dormitory for single enlisted military; a security forces complex, which will cost $15 million; a 33,000-square-foot Mobility Air Forces Logistics Supply Center, valued at $13 million; and a Child Development Center, estimated to cost $8 million. Other projects in the works include parking renovations, expansion of roads and intersections and construction of new community centers, picnic areas, sports fields and playgrounds. Scott Air Force Base brings more than $1.7 billion annually to the region and employs more than 14,000 active duty military members and civilians. (Posted June 2008)

16,600-square-foot Fire Station Home to Swansea Volunteer Fire Fighters

A new 16,600-square-foot fire station has been built in Swansea to accommodate the village’s recent growth. Voters approved a $3 million bond issue to fund the new facility, which includes an exercise room, four fire truck bays, a residential area with sleeping quarters, and a 75-occupant meeting and training room space that can be used as a safe house during a disaster. The building was designed by FGM Architects Planners for expansions in the coming years as Swansea continues to grow. (Posted October 2007)

$17.5 Million Expansion Planned for Midcoast Aviation

Midcoast Aviation is planning on building the biggest hangar thus far at its Downtown St. Louis Airport headquarters. The $17.5 million expansion will create 200 new jobs and enable Midcoast to handle bigger planes. Construction on the project will begin in by summer and will take about a year to complete.

'Welcome Center' Coming to Sauget

The first official “Welcome Center” in the Metro East is expected to be completed by early 2010. The $2.6 million Archview Visitors Center will be located on 1.65 acres of land next to the GCS Ballpark in Sauget. The new center is part of a regional effort to increase tourism and provide visitors with information on points of interest in Southwestern Illinois. (Posted May 2007)

$38.5 Million Road Renovation Planned for LCCC

Trustees approved $38.5 million in refinancing bonds that will fund improvements to the roads and parking lots on the Godfrey campus of Lewis and Clark Community College. The project, which includes rebuilding the streets and restructuring the school’s parking lots, will begin this summer. (Posted May 2007)

Streetscape Project Making Good Progress in Downtown Belleville

The $6.4 million Downtown Belleville Streetscape project is moving forward after a slow beginning. The project includes improvements to the city streets such as wider sidewalks, new vintage-looking streetlights and the replacement of the brick planters which line Main Street. Construction should be completed by summer. (Posted May 2007)

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