Education, Healthcare, & Hospitality Ready for New Rooftops

BuildJanuary 2014 Issue Vol. 1

www.buildmtvernonil.com

In This Issue Why Build Mt. Vernon?

Around Mt VernonI Am Mt. Vernon

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“But unlike Midwest cities where the decline

is felt in both the housing and economic sectors, Mt. Vernon’s

economy is vibrant and stronger each day.”

Building Mount Vernon a vision for the future

In recent years, the City of Mt. Vernon has taken huge strides – local employers have been adding jobs, business has been growing, and city revenues have been strong.

In an age where people, companies, and cities have become “brands” in themselves, Mt. Vernon has brought itself up to speed with a citywide rebranding, “ .” This initiative has touched all aspects of quality of life in the city, from major infrastructure overhauls to improvement and addition of area attractions. In just the past five years, nearly $1 billion has been invested to boost the local economy.

Despite this, housing growth hasn’t matched economic growth. Through months of intense research, the Mt. Vernon Strategic Housing Program was born from the existing need to help the city catch up to its current rate of growth in jobs and culture.

The Strategic Housing Program sets a five-year plan in motion that identifies and quantifies the housing need in Mt. Vernon that will meet housing demand. Currently, Mt. Vernon simply does not have the housing inventory in place to satisfy both existing residents and move-in residents.

The Strategic Housing Program addresses the cyclical problem – no new housing availability means no move-in residents, which indicates population decline, and establishes no need for new housing availability. The program sets up achieveable solutions for a growing population and continuing new housing.

But unlike Midwest cities where the decline is felt in both the housing and economic sectors, Mt. Vernon’s economy is vibrant and stronger each day.

The Strategic Housing Program is a twofold plan – build homes and draw in new residents. This plan requires companies and individuals to develop and build 28 different types of homes for a total need for 360 to 718 new housing units in Mt. Vernon by 2016. A concurrent campaign entices move-in residents to balance the scales of supply and demand.

Building Mt. Vernon is an essential component of envisioning the future of the city.Strategic Housing Program

Good Samaritan Regional Health Center

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s construction trucks come rumbling down the street, or as you are awakened by the sound of a jackhammer early in the morning, keep this in mind – the disruption and noise are peeling away layers to rebuild a remarkable Mt. Vernon. Mt. Vernon is shaping its future in a beautiful way.

And every project Mt. Vernon is undertaking has a singular focus in mind – to improve the quality of life for Mt. Vernon citizens.

All Around Mt. Vernon

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Mt. Vernon has made the health and wellness of its current and future families a priority. A $6 million safari-themed aquatic center, dubbed the “Aquatic Zoo,” has been completed and is slated to open in June of 2014. The Aquatic Zoo features waterslides, a lazy river, splash pad, zero-entry pool, lap pool, and more.

But it doesn’t stop there. Mt. Vernon’s outdoor space is undergoing an extreme makeover to make it more pedestrian-friendly and encourage fitness. New sidewalks have been added, and an ongoing program to replace damaged sidewalks throughout the city has begun. A comprehensive bike trail system has also been developed to connect all areas of the city with its 10 municipal parks, city

schools, and other local attractions.

These additions to Mt. Vernon’s health and wellness landscape are only natural, given local hospital growth that has made the city a regional destination for healthcare. Just in the past year, Mt. Vernon’s Good Samaritan Regional Health Center has undergone additions, expansions, and has opened a new $237 million health facility. The Crossroads Community Hospital has also undergone a $22 million expansion of its facilities.

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s construction trucks come rumbling down the street, or as you are awakened by the sound of a jackhammer early in the morning, keep this in mind – the disruption and noise are peeling away layers to rebuild a remarkable Mt. Vernon. Mt. Vernon is shaping its future in a beautiful way.

And every project Mt. Vernon is undertaking has a singular focus in mind – to improve the quality of life for Mt. Vernon citizens.

Mt. Vernon has made the health and wellness of its current and future families a priority. A $6 million safari-themed aquatic center, dubbed the “Aquatic Zoo,” has been completed and is slated to open in June of 2014. The Aquatic Zoo features waterslides, a lazy river, splash pad, zero-entry pool, lap pool, and more.

But it doesn’t stop there. Mt. Vernon’s outdoor space is undergoing an extreme makeover to make it more pedestrian-friendly and encourage fitness. New sidewalks have been added, and an ongoing program to replace damaged sidewalks throughout the city has begun. A comprehensive bike trail system has also been developed to connect all areas of the city with its 10 municipal parks, city

schools, and other local attractions.

These additions to Mt. Vernon’s health and wellness landscape are only natural, given local hospital growth that has made the city a regional destination for healthcare. Just in the past year, Mt. Vernon’s Good Samaritan Regional Health Center has undergone additions, expansions, and has opened a new $237 million health facility. The Crossroads Community Hospital has also undergone a $22 million expansion of its facilities.

So as you’re caught in construction traffic, we encourage you to look around, and try to see the new and improved Mt. Vernon that is soon to emerge.

Strategic Housing Program

Mary Jane Chesley - Mayor, City of Mt. Vernon

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During the past six years, the city council and I have been working closely with Mt. Vernon residents, businesses and industries, the Chamber of Commerce, the Jefferson County Development Corporation, school districts, clubs, and organizations to form a strong team. The basic goals of “Team Mt. Vernon” are to revitalize Mt. Vernon and create a community where individuals can find good-paying jobs, safe and updated neighborhoods, meet transportation needs, and provide activities and events for leisure time.

Four years ago, we created a comprehensive plan for our city. By following this plan, we have brought over 1,500 new jobs to the city of Mt. Vernon; developed a program for upgrading our water, sewer system, and storm water detention; and started upgrading our existing roads and constructing new roads. We have also started cleaning up our residential neighborhoods and improving our city parks and buildings.

Two years ago, members of Team Mt. Vernon adopted a slogan and logo for our city, “Creativity Redefined.” Mt. Vernon certainly is an artistic city with a creative nature. It is home to the nationally recognized Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.

In an age when many city downtown areas have been allowed to deteriorate, ours is beginning to flourish. During the past few years, new retail businesses, offices, restaurants, and a performance center has moved to our downtown area.

I consider the downtown as the heartbeat of a community, and ours is only getting stronger. One of our latest additions is the “Upstart Art Mart” which showcases local art talent.

Mt. Vernon is a safe, progressive, and creative community. We have “rural urbanism” and an atmosphere that inspires quality people to work here, live here, and have fun here.

I am Mt. VernonPersonal Stories from the People of Mt. Vernon

Mary Jane Chesley is a lifelong Mt. Vernon resident.

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You are Mt. Vernontell your story

The identity of Mt. Vernon lies in its people – the residents, business owners, and employees who are eager to see Mt. Vernon step forward into a bright future. Our Mt. Vernon Strategic Housing Program team is launching Phase Two of its marketing plan, which will flesh out with a new website, fresh outreach campaigns, and bright signage to establish Mt. Vernon as a dynamic city and renewed brand.

We would like to reach out to Mt. Vernon residents, business owners, and employees to feature the story of their Mt. Vernon identity. You are Mt. Vernon, and we want to tell your story.

Contact Nathan McKenna at 618-242-6807 or email nathan.mckenna@mvn.net to get started.

1100 Main StreetP.O. Box 1708Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

618-242-6807www.mtvernon.com

Nathan McKenna

Capital Projects ManagerCity Zoning O�cialnathan.mckenna@mvn.net

Monday - Friday8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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With huge leaps forward, Mt. Vernon is putting years of planning into rapid motion, helping the city prepare for planned new homes construction. Large-scale construction

projects in Mt. Vernon have added jobs at every stage, from planning, to construction, to permanent jobs upon completion. And with updated employment information from these projects, increased housing needs can be predicted.

Earlier this month, Mt. Vernon held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new $72.8 million high school campus on the west side of town. The new Mt. Vernon Township High School will be a state-of-the-art facility that will provide a rich learning environment for well-rounded young citizens of Mt. Vernon.

In all, a total of 25 construction projects are being bid out for the high school.

Mt. Vernon’s Good Samaritan Regional Health Center opened a new �ve-story health center that features additions and expansions to its services. In all, its construction injected $237 million into the local com-munity, bringing a reported 120-150 tradespersons to the site each day during construction, creating 150 new jobs upon completion.

With a new healthcare campus and the $22 million expansion of Mt. Vernon’s Crossroads Community Hospital, Mt. Vernon has solidi�ed its position as a regional destination for healthcare.

The hospitality industry in Mt. Vernon is also looking to the future with the construction on a new Drury Inn & Suites, which began last spring. Taking the place of the Drury Inn and Thrifty Inn hotels, the 180-room hotel adds an additional 3,000 square feet of �exible meeting space for businesses and organi-zations, equipped to accommodate a variety of groups and events.

The new hotel has an estimated project cost of $19.9 million, adding not only jobs and revenue to the local economy, but potential for new restaurants. The hotel’s new business center also adds Mt. Vernon as a viable and a�ordable venue for business travel and corporate and social events. In addition to these, Mt. Vernon is also taking the necessary steps to make sure the city is prepared for the growth ahead, making necessary updates and improvements to local infrastructure, including roads and sidewalks, sewer, water, and updating and adding new local attractions. Education, healthcare, and hospitality are surging ahead in Mt. Vernon, priming itself for a large-scale jump in housing – the city is ready for new rooftops!

Education, Healthcare,and Hospitality– Ready for New Rooftops

Mount VernonGreat Land and Lots

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Ridge Crest Estates

Located just west of the heart of Mt. Vernon, Woodglen features 51 acres with water and sewer in place. Of this land, 32 lots are platted and recorded, but the remaining land (100 additional lots on 41 acres) is platted but not recorded.

Woodglen

The Ridge Crest subdivision includes platted lots ready to build in a prime location within the City of Mt. Vernon. One 6+ acre parcel and two 20+ acre parcels are available. The MLS listings for these parcels are 312305, 3123006, and 312307. DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOAD

Ridgecrest

Woodglen