Alton Center Business Park has won a Community Impact Award from the prestigious Phoenix Award program, which recognizes innovative environmental remediation projects that return blighted commercial and industrial sites to productive use.
The Phoenix Award was presented Sept. 26 to Alton Center Business Park LLC, a Clark Properties and Clayco Construction Company partnership, and Environmental Operations, Inc. (EOI) at the Brownfields 2001 Conference in Chicago. Abandoned in 1993, the 153-acre former Owens-Illinois Glass Bottle Plant site has been transformed into a mixed-use development at the foot of the Lewis and Clark Bridge in the 1600 block of East Broadway in Alton, Ill. The value of the park at completion is estimated at between $80 million and $100 million.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other agencies select winning projects in 10 EPA regions and additional special winners for innovative techniques, cooperative multiple part efforts and community impact. This year, there were 12 Phoenix Award winners, including regional and special awards
"This site was a major center of Illinois commerce for decades and our goal is to restore it to that position," said Mike Clark, president of Clark Properties. "Our first tenant, the American Water Works Co. national customer service center, is expected to employ 325 people by the end of this year. When fully complete, we expect more than 2,000 new jobs to be created by the Alton Center Business Park."
Alton Center Business Park is being developed in two phases. Clark Properties worked closely with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to prepare the site for development. The first phase consisted of the excavation of foundations, the remediation of contaminated soil and sludge and the installation of new infrastructure for new tenant facilities. In addition, more than one million square feet of buildings were demolished, leaving two warehouse buildings standing. Both were stripped to their framework, and new siding and roofs were installed. The two former warehouses totaling 452,000 square feet are being renovated to meet tenant needs, and 75 acres of land is available for development.
In the second phase of development, infrastructure will be added to the north side of Alton Center Business Park, and lots will be sold for new development or new buildings will be constructed and leased or sold under build-to-suit agreements. CB Richard Ellis is the leasing agent for the center.
Since the project's inception, the city of Alton has provided resources, infrastructure and political support. In conjunction with the redevelopment, the city is undertaking a major roadway project to improve access to the site. Clark Properties will donate some of the land to be used for this roadway.
To honor those who worked at the plant during its 120-year history, Clark Properties is creating a memorial site with a 5,000-pound glass-ceramic monument that incorporates artifacts from the plant. Almost 700 engraved bricks and stones will be placed in the walkway in honor of former employees and associates of the Owens-Illinois Glass Company plant.
Founded in 1985, Clark Properties is a full-service real estate development and property management company headquartered in St. Louis. Clark has acquired, renovated and sold or leased more than 4.3 million square feet of office, warehouse/distribution and light manufacturing space. The company’s largest project to date is the Union Seventy Center, a 2.2 million-square-foot multi-tenant office/warehouse development on the 161-acre site of the former General Motors St. Louis Assembly Plant.
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