ALTON – Development plans in Alton were shared Wednesday with members of the Leadership Council of Southern Illinois.
The group gathered at the AltonWorks building on Broadway in Alton for its Economic Development Network meeting. A major part of the program focused on efforts in Alton to revitalize the region.
Kiku Obata, Director of Kiku Obata & Company, represented AltonWorks and shared its current projects.
A project, Obata said, is the development of the Wedge Innovation Center, also known as “The Wedge.” Work on the center began in December.
The Wedge will support early-stage, growth-driven companies through education, mentorship and financing, Obata said. Plans call for it to house startups as well as space for individuals or teams, and more established companies seeking to accelerate their businesses or develop new technologies, products or systems.
Obata also discussed a park planned near Flock and Food Truck Park at 210 Ridge St. in Alton. The park would be built around Flock, where the current gravel parking lot is. Construction is planned this summer, though a specific date is not known; completion is projected for Spring 2024.
“It will be a green space, a space for families, and it sends more of a message than just having parking lots there,” Obata said.
Andrea Yancey, Alton’s Deputy Director of Planning and Development, said the city is beginning the process of updating its comprehensive plan. Yancey said the plan will include capital improvement, land use, zoning policies and sustainability considerations.
“We’re really excited to get these processes underway,” Yancey said.
Lauren Pattan, co-founder of The Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton, also discussed challenges the business experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the business received many grants from the state.
“It’s really because of that money that we’re still here,” Pattan said.
Since the pandemic, Pattan said the style of service at the business has also changed, moving from full table service to counter service. Pattan said the change allowed employees to still work under the COVID restrictions.
“We liked working as a team, and we liked sharing the responsibilities,” she said.
Pattan said this is the first “normal year” they have had so for, and she hopes it stays that way.
dylan.suttles@thetelegraph.com
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