EDWARDSVILLE - Local businesses came out Thursday for the annual Mayors' Breakfast to listen to Edwardsville Mayor Gary Niebur and Glen Carbon Mayor Rob Jackstadt discuss the state of the communities.
"Retaining the charm and character of this place has to remain one of the highest priorities," Niebur said in response to a question from the audience regarding the top challenges for both the village and the city.
"We need to take actions, as we have, to ensure that Edwardsville is one community, not an old Edwardsville and a new Edwardsville. Investing in our older neighborhoods will assure that outcome."
The annual breakfast was held at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and sponsored by the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce.
Jackstadt agreed, but also said one of the challenges is also dealing with growth, making sure it is "planned growth" and "smart growth."
Niebur said the most significant accomplishments within the past year have been the completion of area's highway system improvements.
Those include both the widening of Illinois 157 and Illinois 159 from two lanes to five lanes, along with the opening of Governors' Parkway and the extension of Plum Street, or relocated Illinois 159.
"In the last three years, the amount of investment made by the state of Illinois has been staggering," Niebur said. It is estimated through the highway projects, the state has contributed an estimated $50 million.
The next priority project is the completion of Governors' Parkway from Illinois 159 to Illinois 143 near Interstate-55, which is estimated at $14 million. The designs for the final phase have been completed by the Madison County Highway Department, but are now on hold until the funding becomes available to begin construction.
"We are awaiting some action from Springfield in the General Assembly," Niebur said.
Jackstadt also spoke about upcoming construction projects within the village.
"Just when you thought the road construction was over, Glen Carbon say 'No, hold on there,'" Jackstadt said.
To begin this summer, the road projects will include improvements to Glen Crossing Road from Illinois 159 to Waterford Lane, along with the replacement of the village's covered bridge on Main Street. The covered bridge will be removed and replaced as the road is widened.
Both mayors discussed the decrease in single-family home permits in the last year, but both said they do not attribute this to the impact or new homebuyer fees implemented about two years ago.
"The housing market has slowed down nationwide," Niebur said in response to a question from the audience.
In 2006, Edwardsville issued 74 single family house permits, down from 128 in 2005. Last year, it issued 93 permits for new commercial properties, an increase of 61 from 2005.
Contact reporter Jennifer Kapiolani Saxton at jsaxton@bnd.com or 692-1149.