SIUE Art and Design Building

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will begin construction on two, 29,000-square-foot projects, each totaling almost $13 million. Work on the Charles and Mary Lukas Athletics Annex and the west wing at the Art and Design Building is expected to be complete by fall of 2012. This construction reflects the continuing investments being made in our region's educational facilities, which is highlighted in the Leadership Council's 2010 Market Review and Investment Update*.

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Village panel advances Glen Carbon Road project (Edwardsville Intelligencer 8/04/2011)  

Recent approval for an archaeological reconnaissance survey at Schon Park in Glen Carbon is the first step for what will ultimately be a three-phase, $2.6 million project covering 35.5 acres. Also in Glen Carbon, planning for Phase II of a road project that will span from the Covered Bridge to Meridian Road/Glen Crossing Road has awarded to Leadership Council member Thouvenot, Wade and Moerchen. (Read More) 

Metro East may escape costly consequences pending levee repairs (St. Louis Post-Dispatch 8/8/11)

The federal lawsuit filed by Metro East communities challenging levee de-accreditation was dismissed August 1st after FEMA announced in open court that it had abandoned its proposed flood insurance rate maps that reflected a de-accreditation of the Metro East levee systems, rendering the lawsuit moot. The judge's ruling represented a confirmation of the position held by Metro East leaders "that the levees of the American Bottoms are accredited and have been accredited at all times relevant to this lawsuit." However, with FEMA already back at the drawing board working to revamp its remapping process, work is quickly moving ahead to invest $151 million in the area's levee systems so that they meet all applicable regulatory and engineering standards and we can address any future challenges or questions raised by FEMA. (Read More)

New section of bike trail linking Swansea and Belleville to open Aug. 18 (Belleville News-Democrat 8/09/2011)

The newest addition to the MetroBikeLink trail will open August 18. The St. Clair County supported $4.6 million, 2.2-mile section includes a bridge over IL-159, links Swansea's MetroLink station and Belleville's North End Park, and allows a 4.7-mile ride between Southwestern Illinois College and the Swansea MetroLink station. Meanwhile, the Belleville News Democrat is reporting that construction has already started on another $3.3 million, 2.2-mile section that will extend the trail from the Swansea MetroLink station to the Memorial Hospital MetroLink platform as the County and City continue their support for transit-oirented development and activities. (Read More)

Fairmount Park Racetrack to get estimated $14 million in escrow money (Belleville News-Democrat 8/11/2011)

Fairmount Park Racetrack is expected to receive approximately $14 million in escrow money after about $141 million in funds that had been diverted from the state's largest casinos to subsidize Illinois horse tracks was released. Fairmount Park has been economic driver for our region drawing attendees across the metropolitan area and directly employing close to 500 full jobs and part-time employees while impacting another 3,000 indirect jobs. (Read More) 

Investment in local schools is bright spot for developers

(Belleville News Democrat 8/13/11) 

The educational investments highlighted in the Leadership Council's 2010 Market Review & Investment Update* are spotlighted in a story in Saturday's edition of the Belleville News Democrat. The $493 million in construction by local schools and colleges contributed to more than $6.5 billion in developments in St. Clair and Madison counties last year. (Read More)

* Link to the full 2010 report at www.siteselection-il.com..