Forces shaping metro-east real estate landscape

The curated articles highlight various forces influencing metro-east real estate, focusing on listings, redevelopment, preservation, and growth. Several articles emphasize redevelopment in Fairview Heights and Brooklyn's preservation efforts in metro-east.

In one article, a group strives to save Brooklyn, America's oldest Black town, from railway expansion and decay. They plan redevelopment and hope to add Brooklyn to the National Register of Historic Places. Another article details the sale of Marketplace Shopping Center in Fairview Heights, set for auction amid redevelopment plans. Meanwhile, a developer in Fairview Heights alters a business plan, responding to neighbors' complaints, reducing initially proposed gas stations and adding dining options. These articles collectively reveal a region driven by diverse challenges and opportunities, balancing between historical conservation and modern economic development.

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NO. 1: AMERICA’S OLDEST BLACK TOWN IS IN METRO-EAST. IT’S DYING, BUT THERE’S A FIGHT TO SAVE IT

“Is it significant? Yes. Is it historical? Yes. Is it neglected? Yes. So, these things should be saved, not paved over and forgotten like so many other significant events in African American history.” | Published January 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jonathan Bullington

The streetlights along Interstate 55/64/70 such as this will be upgraded while others will be replaced in East St. Louis, according to the Illinios Department of Transportation. New LED lights will be installed as part of an $8.85 million project. By Joshua Carter

NO. 2: LIGHTING PROJECT WILL CAUSE LANE CLOSURES ON METRO-EAST INTERSTATE UNTIL SUMMER 2026

“It’s long overdue and we desperately need it.” | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mike Koziatek

The home boasts 9,052 sq. feet and sits on 7 lots. By Joshua Carter

NO. 3: TAKE A VIDEO TOUR OF THIS METRO-EAST MANSION. IT COULD BE YOURS FOR UNDER $1 MILLION

The home, which takes up the space of seven full lots, features six beds, eight total bathrooms and more than 9,000 square feet. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Carter

When complete in three years, the project at Wieland Manufacturing, shown in red, will modernize the German company’s plant in East Alton.

NO. 4: METRO-EAST COPPER PLANT STARTS $500M EXPANSION WITH AID FROM STATE INCENTIVES

The German company employs 800. | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Will Bauer

This drone photo shows Oak Knoll, off West Main Street at 85th Street in Belleville. Some residents are hoping the wooded subdivision will be designated as a historic district. By Joshua Carter

NO. 5: WEST BELLEVILLE SUBDIVISION WEIGHS PROS AND CONS OF CREATING HISTORIC DISTRICT

“It would provide some protection so that people can’t come in and do weird things to their houses or, worse yet, tear them down and build condominiums,” a supporter said. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Teri Maddox

The home at 19 Lake Christine Ct. is in an isolated part of Belleville, at the end of a private cul-de-sac, and surrounded by charming woods. By Joshua Carter

NO. 6: THIS BELLEVILLE FIXER-UPPER HAS 28 ROOMS AND A SWIMMING POOL IN THE BASEMENT

If you are in the market for a fixer-upper-turned-mansion, $399,000 may be able to get you 12,000 square-feet with 28 rooms and a swimming pool in the basement. | Published July 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joshua Carter

SpringHill Suites in Springfield, Illinois.

NO. 7: O’FALLON CREATES NEW BUSINESS DISTRICT WITH $18M HOTEL AS ITS CENTERPIECE

A new business district could spur additional commercial development near the intersection of West U.S. | Published September 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lynn Venhaus

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.