Private Lunch with Professional Women in Building Metro East Mayor Eckert was happy to share his passion for the city that he has served since 2004. He enlightened everyone on many of the following aspects that make Belleville great. Schools: Lindenwood University renovations and expansion to the longtime site of Belleville Township High School has been a wonderful addition to the community while improving property values. While other schools have received improvements and repairs as needed. Project Updates: The construction on the Hofbrauhaus on Route 15 is in progress while the first hotel is delayed. The Parking West Housing Project is in progress. The Belleville Crossing shopping center is filling in with businesses including Target, Home Depot and several restaurants. 6th to 17th Streetscape is the next project that will include light posts, new curbs, black street lamps, wider sidewalks and bump outs for outdoor restaurant seating and dining as well as on-street parking. Housing: New home starts are increasing and Mayor Eckert expressed that he is open to ideas/ recommendations from HBA to improve user-friendly processing. The Crime Free Housing Program offers rental property owners and managers tools to help reduce criminal activity and has proven to be a benefit to the city and owners. Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert Left to right: Andrea West with Fulford Homes, Mary Ann Lopez Drake with Drake Construction, Tricia Buehne with First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, Sue Schultz with Sandberg, Phoenix von Gontard, Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert, Beth Jacob with Jacob Family Enterprises, Cherity Freeze with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Melissa Bowlin with Fulford Homes, Jan Johnson with Garrett E. & Herschel E. Johnson RE & Dev., Brittney Ragsdale with CA Jones Inc., Linette Warnecke with TheBANK of Edwardsville On September 23rd Mayor Mark Eckert was sworn in as President of the statewide Board of Directors for the Illinois Municipal League (IML), which is a formal collective voice for Illinois municipalities involving common interests and goals. Positive improvements will keep Belleville moving forward and he shared insight into the responsibilities and importance that the police, fire fighters, water/sewer department, SAFB, bordering communities and the volunteer spirit bring to Belleville. 14
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