Edwardsville gets mini building boom

4 projects to sprout on Route 157

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Edwardsville gets mini building boom

By Ramona C. Sanders stltoday.com | Posted: Monday, July 18, 2011 12:00 am | (Loading…) comments.

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Edwardsville development: What's driving it?

Business is booming in Edwardsville. Despite the stagnant economy, the city is seeing commercial development growth, increased sales tax revenue and more requests for housing permits. "We've been very fortunate here is terms of weathering a difficult storm," said city Planner Scott Hanson. "For example, this past year we saw a 6 percent overall growth in sales tax compared to the year before, which we think is very encouraging."

Hanson, who oversees the city's economic development, said the city's population growth and desired demographics are key to Edwardsville's strong economy.

"This area continues to grow and that's an incentive for developers to consider Edwardsville," Hanson said. "It's not just growth but the type of growth. There's the student demographic ... we also have a community that's fairly young."

Illinois State Route 157 in Edwardsville is having a mini building boom. Three commercial and one mixed-use projects are in the works for a 2-mile section of the road.

Here's a look at what's in store for the major traffic artery:

Timberlake Village

"Edwardsville is just a great spot to go right now," said Jimmy Mundloch, a partner in the commercial development Timberlake Village, a 4.5-acre site on Route 157 and Lewis Road.

A U.S. Bank opened last year on 1 acre; Mundlock said the remaining 3.5 acres can accommodate 18,000 square feet of office space and 6,000 square feet of retail space. He said the roadwork and utilities are already in place and they are now looking for 'strong tenants" to move in.

Alpha Omega Commercial Park

The site at Excel Drive is expected to have seven lots. Gerry Schuetzenhofer, president of Coldwell Bankers Brown Realtors, said developers hope to have five retail businesses positioned at the front of the site and two office developments on the two back lots. The roadwork is set to begin this month and developers hope to have utilities set up shortly afterwards.

"It's got great visibility," Schuetzenhofer said. "It allowed for a lots right on 157, right across from the Ginger Creek housing, and it's connected to four-way stop lights."

Edison's Entertainment Complex

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student population is the driving force behind the planned Edison's Entertainment Complex, across from Sunset Hills Cemetery.

The center is expected to have a 12-lane bowling alley, laser tag arena, arcade, restaurant, bar and lounge. Although construction has not begun, it is expected to open in December. 

The Enclave

At Esic Drive, the Enclave is expected to have two lots zoned for commercial use and eight lots for residential use. Developers expect to build seven apartment buildings to accommodate 350 residents. City Planner Scott Hanson said the developers are targeting students, although it'll be open to everyone.

The city Planning Commission was scheduled to vote on the plan Monday.

Hanson said none of the four proposed projects are receiving city tax incentives.

Contact reporter Ramona C. Sanders at 618-344-0264, ext. 136

 

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Posted in News, Illinois, Local on Monday, July 18, 2011 12:00 am Updated: 8:11 pm. | Tags: Edwardsville Il, Ramona C. Sanders, Development, Commercial Development,

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