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The
Department of Development and Housing is charged with
various tasks that include business development, short
and long range planning, housing development and general
economic revitalization activity. Emphasis is placed upon
job creation, increased tax base, new housing starts and
delivery of
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programs
and services to enhance the quality of life present
in Alton.
Revitalization
of the Alton Industrial Corridor/Central Business District
has been identified as a high priority project for the
department. To facilitate this, the City adopted the
Riverfront Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan in 1994.
Thus far, Alton has invested over $6.84 million within
the TIF District which has leveraged in excess
of $50 million in private investment. Projects included
are the Alton Center Business Park (brownfield redevelopment),
the new Illinois-American water plant and various infrastructure
projects that have set the stage for private-sector
investment.
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| Mike
Clark/Clark Properties at the groundbreaking of Alton
Center Business Park. |
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Another
high priority project is the redevelopment of the Alton
Riverfront. The blueprint for this project was outlined
in the Marina/Riverfront District Master Plan (1991).
Thus far, over $15 million of public investment has
been undertaken, including the state-of-the-art Alton
Marina. Future development will include an amphitheater,
a riverboat landing for paddle-wheelers, an outdoor
ice rink, bike trails and other recreational amenities.
Also, the Alton Riverfront has been the home of the
Alton Belle Casino since September 1991. To date, over
18.5 million visitors have boarded the Belle.
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The
Clark Bridge and the Alton Marina grace Alton's Riverfront
along
the mighty Mississippi River. |
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In
an effort to plan for the new century, the City of Alton
has completed a comprehensive plan coupled
with a Geographic Information System (GIS). The plan
focuses on applying New Urbanism concepts to Alton's
existing land use pattern to redevelop our traditional
neighborhoods and business districts. Upon completion
of the plan, incentive programs will be prepared in
conjunction with other public and private sector programs
to stimulate growth in the older, urban
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| Aerial
view of riverfront and Alton CBD using GIS |
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A
new focus has been placed on the development of housing
in the older sections of the City. Hampton Place will
lead to the construction of thirty single-family homes
in the Mexico Neighborhood. Other infill housing projects
are currently being planned for the Hunterstown Neighborhood
that will call for both the rehabilitation of historic
structures and the construction of new, single-family
units.
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| Rendering
of model homes planned for Hampton Place |
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