The development cost for the redevelopment is $37.9 million, including $30 million for construction. The project has already been awarded $25.3 million in state tax credits.
The site is steps from the 5th and Missouri MetroLink Station as well as 4 fixed MetroBus routes which currently total 53.5% of Illinois bus ridership providing access to Southwestern Illinois and Missouri via transit. This building has a significant footprint in the East St Louis community. Many say that this building was a huge point in the rebuilding of East St. Louis in the 1920s. Many members of the community are longing for a change, and development that the city is promising to achieve with this new project.
For more information, check out the Belleville News-Democrat here