Edwardsville watchdog group formed to protect green space in response to county land sale
Madison County’s plan to sell a piece of prime real estate in Edwardsville has led to the formation of a watchdog group that’s concerned about the city’s rapid development and significant loss of green space.
Spokeswoman Stephanie Malench, a former mayoral candidate, said group members have met with city and county officials about what’s going to happen to 15 acres with woods and wetlands northwest of the Plum Street (Illinois 159) and Governors’ Parkway intersection.
The county, which has owned the land for decades, recently decided to sell it. Sealed bids are being accepted through 2 p.m. Feb. 14.
“We would rather it not be developed, but it looks like it’s going to be developed,” said Malench, 47, of Edwardsville. “We’re just trying to make sure that it’s not overdeveloped with a big box store and a ton of traffic.”
The group also wants the city of Edwardsville to strictly enforce zoning and other rules — including a requirement that developers set aside 4% of land for green space — on this and all future projects.
Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler has advocated selling the 15 acres for years, partly because the county could use proceeds for other projects, he said. Officials estimate that it costs $16,000 a year to insure, mow and otherwise maintain the land.
“It’s surplus property,” Prenzler said. “It’s property that we own, and we don’t need it.”
The county will open bids at 2:15 p.m. Feb. 14. Those under the $3.87 million appraisal won’t be accepted, according to its website.
The 15 acres originally were part of a larger tract that included the Madison County Tuberculosis Sanitarium on the northeast corner of the Plum Street and Governors’ Parkway intersection. It operated from 1926 to 1969, despite early damage from mine subsidence that was repaired.
The sanitarium also experienced financial problems in the early days, according to a history on the Madison County Historical Society website.
“The board decided to cultivate the land surrounding the institution,” it states. “They hired a farmer to grow food for the consumption of the residents in the hopes of saving money. They provided a home on the property and paid him $50 a month for his service.”
The county later converted the sanitarium building into a public nursing home, which closed in the late 1990s.
The county demolished the building in the early 2000s and sold the property to make way for Edwardsville Crossing, a commercial district with Dierbergs, T.J. Maxx and more than 50 other stores and restaurants.
In recent weeks, developers bulldozed the Foucek tree farm on the southeast corner of the Plum Street and Governors’ Parkway intersection. That land will be used for a $70 million, 52-acre commercial district called Orchard Town Center, anchored by a Menards store.
“It’s happening all over town,” Malench said, referring to destruction of the city’s natural beauty and wildlife habitat.
Malench ran for Edwardsville mayor in 2020 on a platform that included calls for officials to slow residential and commercial urban sprawl. She was defeated by former Alderman Art Risavy.
Malench supports a city campaign that preserves donated land for green space. It’s called “200 acres for 200 years.”
The new watchdog group has about 10 members who have been involved in other environmentally friendly causes — such as a single-use shopping bag fee designed to encourage reusable bags — according to Malench. They’re in the process of choosing a name.
“We’re hoping to see the group grow,” Malench said. “We just want to protect green space and encourage mindful development. We don’t need (Edwardsville) to be another Fairview Heights.”
This story was originally published January 10, 2022 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Edwardsville watchdog group formed to protect green space in response to county land sale."
