ALTON, ILL. – Clark Properties has begun phase I development of Alton Center Business Park, a 153-acre Brownfields redevelopment located at the intersection of Illinois Route 143 and East Broadway Street in downtown Alton, Ill. Alton Center, which has the capacity to host more than one million square feet of new and renovated office, retail, warehouse and high-tech manufacturing space, has a projected completion value of more than $50 million.
According to Michael H. Clark, president of Clark Properties, initial activities are focusing on soil and groundwater remediation, asbestos abatement and demolition.
Environmental Operations, Inc. (EOI), the St. Louis, Mo.-based compliance consultant that authored the remediation plan and that over a two-year period coordinated with eight legislative and/or regulatory bodies to gain its approval, has begun comprehensive site clean-up under a $2.6 million environmental investigation and engineering contract.
The previous owner of the site, Owens-Illinois, operated a glass-making plant there up to November, 1992. Demolition of 15 existing buildings totaling one million square feet will occur simultaneously. EOI projects that clean-up activities will be completed by the end of the year.
“Environmental Operations was a key player in pulling Alton Center together,” stated Clark. “Their plan met the health-safety and economic feasibility requirements of all parties – both public and private. EOI’s excellent, team-focused relationship with Illinois and federal EPA authorities and conscientious follow-up kept this complex project moving forward.”
Phase I to Focus on Preparation of 26.2 Acres and 450,400SF Rehab Fast-track construction is proceeding simultaneously with environmental clean-up, with efforts focused on infrastructure improvements to 26.2 acres on the southwest end of the tract and on the gut renovation of two existing warehouses totaling 450,400 square feet. Originally built in the 1960s and 1970s, the structures will have 18- to 22-foot clear height ceilings, 40- and 50-foot wide bays, new dock doors and dock levelers as well as dolly pads.
Renovated space will be offered at $2.75 per square foot, triple net, based on a finish ratio of five percent office to 95 percent warehouse space.
Phase II – New Office, Retail, Warehouse and Manufacturing Space
The eastern half of the triangular site will host new office, retail, warehouse and high-tech manufacturing space. The office and retail sites will border Broadway Avenue and have fully signalized access. Land prices are projected to range from $2 to $5 a square foot, depending on the size, location and configuration of the lot.
Clayco Construction Co. is the design/build general contractor for the rehabilitation work and the site work in Phase I of the development plan.
Alton Center is served by both the Norfolk Southern Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad. It also can accommodate an intermodal shipping facility and is capable of accessing barge service from the Mississippi River.
“We view Alton Center as the second coming of Union Seventy Center Business Park in north St. Louis,” said Clark. “We’ve demonstrated at Union Seventy that there is sufficient regional demand for high-quality, price-advantaged office, warehouse and manufacturing space in a well-located, renovated venue.”
Clark’s Union Seventy Center is a 173-acre development located at Union Boulevard and Interstate 70. Initiated in 1989, it hosts 1.6 million square feet of renovated bulk distribution/ manufacturing/fabricating space and has 35 acres of developed land available for sale. More than $110 million has been invested at Union Seventy by Clark and by the 22 companies that operate there. Nearly 1,700 people work there.
“Alton Center is the key to the revitalization of downtown Alton,” said Alton Mayor Donald Sandidge. “We project that the entire project, when complete, could result in the creation of more than 1,000 new jobs.”
Clark said subsequent development at Alton Center will focus on infrastructure improvements to 100 acres of developable land. The remaining 53 acres are devoted to a levee district and roadways.
Joining Clark Properties in the marketing of Alton Center is Alton-based T.L. Prehn Properties, Inc.
Editor’s note: Clark Properties makes its headquarters at 5391 Brown Avenue, St. Louis, Mo. (63120).
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