Commercial Living

A Boom in Commercial Development

Widespread new commercial development in recent years has diversified Collinsville’s economy and tax base, and put Collinsville among the fastest growing communities in the Southwestern Illinois area. According to the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois report titled, ‘Market Review and Investment Update 2004-2005,’ Collinsville ranks fifth among the top 15 communities in Madison and St. Clair counties in both commercial and residential growth, and in investments in the public and private sectors.

Collinsville is experiencing major growth in its retail, convention, hospitality, entertainment, recreation and logistics industries, while consumer service businesses have grown to keep pace with the city’s population growth. Among the top new developments now underway in the city:

• Collinsville Crossing, a $78 million retail development that is the largest in the City’s history and the second largest retail development now underway in the Southwestern Illinois region. It will by anchored by Wal Mart and Home Depot stores.
• Eastport Plaza, the home of numerous hotels, restaurants and the expanding Gateway Center convention facilities, will soon be home to a new 10-screen movie theater complex as well as a new 40,000-square-foot office building along with warehouse and commercial distribution facilities.
• Gateway Center will grow to 104,000 square-feet of top quality, full-service facilities for business meetings, conventions, trade shows, receptions and other group events after completing an expansion in Summer 2006.
• Downtown Collinsville is in the midst of a redevelopment campaign that is creating new opportunities for shops, restaurants, businesses and entertainment venues. Recent improvements to the streetscape resulted in the area being named the ‘Best Improved Main Street in Illinois’ in 2003 by the Illinois Main Street Community program. The downtown district is home to Collinsville’s public library, a post office, a new city museum, a restored historic theater, historic city hall, township building, senior citizens center, schools, professional offices, retail establishments, unique restaurants, churches and other community organizations. Even its main street has been designated as a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration.
• Horseshoe Lake Road is a fast-growing area of new warehousing and logistics-based businesses located near Collinsville’s convenient access to three interstate highways.