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project forward steadily since it was conceived five years ago.
"David made a commitment to stick with us (city)," Mitchell said, "and to build an upscale development with all brick and
glass. He stuck to his word, and that means a lot these days. This is one of the biggest milestones since the mall (St. Clair
Square) that I can remember, and I've been here since 1963."
Woolpert LLP will be the leading tenant in the first Class A office built at the Fountains, a $3 million,
24,000-square-foot structure that is estimated to reach completion by late 2003. Woolpert began considering the site in
December 2002 as a destination for moving and consolidating its Illinois-based engineers and architects; the firm will occupy
18,000 square feet of the facility.
"We're very excited about our new building," said Doug Sitton, a Woolpert partner. "Our national firm began 15 years ago
with one person in Fairview Heights to serve Southern Illinois clients. Today, we have 65 employees in this area. We looked at
lots of locations and felt this location was best for us, in terms of its accessibility and because the facility is being
designed specifically around our firm's needs."
The Fountains' proximity to hotels and restaurants was a key factor in Woolpert's decision to relocate to the site, Sitton
said.
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"We often have people coming in from out of town, so this was important to us. Additionally, we're spread over two floors
right now in our current location (in Belleville). The ability to consolidate our team on a single level in a layout
custom-tailored to our needs will enhance operational efficiency."
Terry Johnson, president of commercial brokerage Johnson Properties Inc. who negotiated the deal, said the Fountains'
master plan would also include a four-acre medical complex, several banks and a 60-acre upscale subdivision by Vantage Homes
known as Fountain Place.
Five acres of retail out-lots are also part of the master plan, as is a two-acre extended hotel. The $12 million Sheraton
Four Points Hotel and Conference Center opened in late 2002.
"We are continuing to ink more deals at the Fountains at Fairview," Johnson said. "As it looks now, we may have a
groundbreaking like this one every 60 days."
Roth said the Illinois Department of Transportation's decision to immediately proceed with the widening of Illinois Route
159 from Fairview Hieghts to Collinsville is another boon.
"We feel we are in the right place at the right time," he said.
editor/publisher: Kerry Smith
email: ksmith@ibjonline.com
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