New businesses on horizon as O’Fallon re-opens in Phase 4 of Restore Illinois plan
As O’Fallon reopens under the state’s Phase 4 guidelines, plans for new businesses are moving forward too.
The O’Fallon City Council unanimously advanced two business proposals at Monday’s meeting, with approval expected July 20 — one on the east corridor and one downtown.
A restaurant/café known as The Sweeter Side will locate at 2 S. Lincoln Ave., which is where the old Paul’s Frame Shop was demolished a couple months ago. Sal Cincotta of Do Well Real Estate has requested an amended planned use, currently zoned planned community business district, to construct a 2,520 square-foot building.
The restaurant will be open seven days a week and will serve coffee and baked goods in the morning and lunch midday. In addition, on Friday and Saturday evenings, The Sweeter Side is proposing to offer live entertainment on an outdoor patio, which would be a 600 square feet area on the building’s east side, with a wine tasting experience and homemade chocolates to pair also planned. Alcohol sales will be allowed, music must be acoustic and live entertainment is to cease by 10 p.m.
A pickup window along State Street will offer mobile ordering and drive-up service, with staff planning to quickly run orders out to the cars. The staff recommends the applicant be allowed to place 15-minute parking signs, from 5-10 a.m., at three on-street parking spaces adjoining the building on State Street.
“We are moving forward with the new development downtown where the old frame shop was located,” Mayor Herb Roach said. “Things are moving forward for two new construction sites on the property adjacent to the McKendree RecPlex.”
In the O’Fallon Business Park north of U.S. 50 and east of the Rec Plex Drive, Steve Greene would like to develop about an acre of land for Farmers & Merchants National Bank. Construction of a 4,240-square foot bank with drive-in service would take place on the commercial site, which is lot 7 of the Four Points Center. Approval of the planned use — planned community business district — is needed, which the staff recommends.
“The development between Frank Scott and Central Park Drive is moving along. Several new buildings will start between now and first of the year,” he said.
The Shops at Richland Creek are 70 percent leased, the mayor said. The $30 million development, located on a 17-acre tract at the corner of Green Mount Road and Central Park Drive, has resumed preparations.
After a brief executive session to purchase a piece of property, the council OK’d buying 126 Booster Road, which has been deserted for years. The house will be torn down, the mayor said.
During the coronavirus pandemic, outdoor activities have been reduced and some are gradually returning. The city’s Memorial Pool in the O’Fallon Community Park has reopened but the Splash Pad will not this year.
“Many pools in the area will not be reopening this year. However, we felt that we could properly open the pool and safely operate it under the state guidelines,” Roach said.
One of the only public fireworks displays held in the region, the Second Annual Fireworks Over O’Fallon, took place at dusk Sunday, with fireworks launched near the west entrance of the O’Fallon Family Sports Park. Spectators were asked to watch from legal parking areas — the paved lots in the Family Sports Park and Hesse Park were open, and no parking was allowed on the sides of roadways there, or in the grass.
“Last year, we brought back fireworks for the first time in 30 years. Each year, we will continue to make them bigger and better,” Roach said.
While the sanctioned fireworks took place without incident, the same couldn’t be said for the city during the holiday weekend. John Smith, an O’Fallon resident, complained to the council about the amount of illegal fireworks used in his neighborhood on Independence Day.
Roach said, despite fireworks being illegal, there were several large displays in neighborhoods on the holiday.
“There was one 200 feet from four homes and 100 feet from three young children. Anything could happen if something went wrong,” he said. “I know it’s fun but it’s also dangerous.”
He cited the following statistics on July 4: The O’Fallon Police Department’s metro-east communication center received 102 calls — 53 were in O’Fallon, with the police department dispatched; 32 in Fairview Heights, with the Fairview Heights police called; and 17 in Shiloh, with the Shiloh department dispatched.
The mayor also announced City Fest will not be held this year, but plans are being made for the homecoming event to return Aug. 20-21 next year.
City Hall re-opening
The O’Fallon City Hall re-opened Monday, with plans to observe safety guidelines for the protection of the staff and residents. When a visitor comes inside, he/she will need to practice social distancing and wear an appropriate face covering. Hours are currently 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., when they close for cleaning.
Mayor Roach said the first hour, from 8-9 a.m., is reserved for the elderly and vulnerable population who need to transact business.
“We are still encouraging that business continue to be conducted online or over the telephone,” he said.
Payments may still be placed in the drop box outside of city hall. Customers are encouraged to use cashless payment forms — debit card or check — and avoid paying in cash. No change will be given for cash payments. Under/over payments will be credited on the account.
Information on public attendance at city council and committee meeting will be forthcoming. Roach said they are asking for input on how to re-open in the proper manner, and are asking the Illinois Municipal League for advice.
He will begin holding evening and Saturday hours again. On Wednesday, July 15, he will meet with residents from 5-7 p.m. On Saturday, July 25, hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the council chambers.
A Town Hall meeting has been set for Wednesday, Aug. 12, at City Hall.
Vine Street Market
Farmers markets have been deemed an essential business in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive order, and the open-air Vine Street Market officially re-opened at O’Fallon Station on June 13. It will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 17. The O’Fallon Station is located at 212 E. First St. The space has been set up for social distancing, said Vine Street Market Coordinator Sarah Burton.
Local produce is sold from growers who are within a 100-mile radius of O’Fallon. Burton said some vendors are accepting pre-orders with pickup at the market Saturday. People can contact the vendors directly (visit the Vine Street Market Facebook page.)
The Drive-Thru Market on Tuesdays continues, and, as of June 23, was back at the O’Fallon Station parking lot from 5-6 p.m. for pre-ordered, pre-paid merchandise. Order deadlines are Mondays and Tuesdays.
O’Fallon Public Library
The library is open. Requirements include wearing masks and social distancing. They are limiting the occupancy number and have a list of precautions on their website: https://ofpl.info.
People can place requests online for items from other libraries but anticipate longer than usual delivery times and limited availability, as not all libraries are yet to fully open.
They have book and media suggestions for Race and Justice Resources now available.
Other action at the July 6 council meeting
The council agreed to pay CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services for compensation evaluation consulting services, which cost $24,975.
In March, the city OK’d a position classification and compensation study so that the consultants could assess the impact of the new state minimum wage law and develop a plan to comply with the $15 per hour minimum wage, perform an external job analysis, and make recommendations to the current compensation system, so they can attract and retain highly qualified employees. City staff would like to complete the project this fall to prepare for the FY 2021-22 budget.
The council approved changing the date for the Marine Corps League #74 from May 30-Aug. 22 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a roadblock at the intersection of State and Lincoln. The May 30 date had to be canceled because of the state coronavirus public health crisis.
Mobile COVID-19 testing site
Roach noted the mobile COVID-19 testing has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 14, between 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. at the O’Fallon Family Sports Park (north end, near the soccer fields). No appointment is necessary and the testing is free for adults and children over 3 years old. Masks are required, as is photo identification. If people have a health insurance card, bring it. Tests will be done by throat swap. Results are available in two to four days.
The event is sponsored by the City of O’Fallon, St. Clair County Health Department, St. Clair County, SIHF Healthcare, Touchette Regional Hospital, and the IDPH. For more information or questions, please call 618-825-4420.
Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan took effect in O’Fallon on June 26. A five-phased plan, guided by metrics, is reopening the state, with updates as more research and sciences develop.