Fairview Heights planning roundabout, other upgrades at mall entrance
Plans are in the works to update the main traffic entrance at St. Clair Square mall in Fairview Heights as part of its 2026 St. Clair Square Entrance Capital Improvement Project.
Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen Inc. will work with the city to design a new entrance that includes a roundabout at the property’s existing three-leg intersection at IL159.
Engineering services in this phase of the project will cost about $278,077.
Dallas Alley, the city’s director of land use and economic development, said this will be paid with taxes collected at St. Clair Square, Tax Increment Financing District 7 funds and business district funds for the same area.
None of the money will come from the city’s general fund, Alley said.
The Fairview Heights City Council voted Tuesday to authorize Mayor Mark Kupsky to enter into the agreement with Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen Inc. The proposed resolution received nine yes votes with one member absent.
Kupsky said Wednesday that he’s pleased CBL Properties is “looking to improve and grow things” at St. Clair Square.
“I see it as a positive that we’re working closely [with CBL],” he said.
What the planning project will entail
The agreement between the city and Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen outlines the services that will be provided. It includes a topographical survey of the project area, establishment of an eastern right-of-way line for IL 159, design of a new roundabout and entrance from IL 159.
The engineering firm will also work with Planning Design Studio, which designed the landscape architecture along Market Place on the other side of IL 159, Alley said.
Elements of the new mall entrance will match those of the Market Place and Commerce Lane streetscape.
The city will review plans at the 30%, 90%, and the final stages of the design process.
The agreement states that Thouvenot, Wade & Moerchen shall complete services to allow the city to receive and consider bids from construction companies in December and construction could begin construction in 2027.
City policy does not allow construction projects during the Christmas shopping season, from Nov. 1 through Jan. 1. Depending on timing, the construction could begin in 2028 instead.
