‘The heartbeat is getting stronger’ BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
Many communities exist in a sort of either-or state. Business is either good downtown or it is thriving out by the highway. The city is either proud almost to a fault of its past or it is always looking to the future. A focus is on manufacturing or on the arts. Yes, for many cities, life is either or. Not for Mount Vernon, though. This Southern Illinois community replaces “either or” with “and.” By doing so, the result is a city on the grow. “We have a lot of people with high levels of enthusiasm, and it is very contagious,” Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said. “There is a lot of teamwork going on in Mount Vernon with people, businesses and organizations. We are all working together to make things happen.” And happening, they are. Mount Vernon’s growth is everywhere and in all facets of the community: newer and wider streets, infrastructure improvements, new businesses, expanding existing employers and new educational and arts programs. Yet, the city is able to do all
these things and still remain true to itself. Downtown is not something giving way to new construction near the interstate. Instead, many of the buildings in the central part of the city are being remodeled and restored, home to new shops and restaurants. “We’re moving forward unbelievably in so many areas and levels,” Cyndy Mitchell, executive director of Downtown Mount Vernon, said. “It motivates others, seeing that Mount Vernon is a good place to be. We’re preserving old buildings and gaining new ones, too. If you can do that, you’ve got the best of both worlds.” For the mayor, the resurgent downtown gives hints as to the vitality of the community. “I believe that the heart of the community is the downtown, and here the heart beat is getting stronger,” she said. “That makes us unique and benefits all of us and all parts of the city.” Beneficial, too, is the city’s desire to take care of businesses, both new and old. Through TIF districts and infrastructure improvements, Mount Vernon continues to be a magnet for growing businesses.
City embraces creativity, forward thinking with new logo, motto A new logo and tagline for the city of Mount Vernon is beginning to bubble up on buildings, documents and promotional materials for the community. It’s a logo and phrase meant to reflect the city’s forward thinking and artistic flair. Featuring a unique typeface and what Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brandon Bullard calls “artistic circles,” the new logo was a team effort. “City leaders and representatives of the tourism office, economic development and the chamber conducted an extensive study for a logo redesign and a new brand for the city,” he said. Bullard said a committee of about 20 people worked with a branding firm to develop and hammer out ideas and concepts. “It was an interesting process,” he said. “We met every day for two weeks. Eventually, we went with ‘Creativity Redefined’ as our brand. We felt it was what Mount Vernon has that differentiates ourselves.” City Tourism Director Bonnie Jerdon said the branding required some analysis of the community’s attributes. “We went through a list of the strengths of our
“We have a lot of local leadership that is really business-minded,” Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brandon Bullard said. “Our community
city, and from that we realized that the arts are a real strength,” she said. “We decided that should be our theme.” Jerdon said “Creativity Redefined” is about more than the arts, however. “We’re finding that it applies to everything we do,” she explained. “Of course, there’s art, but there’s art in everyday objects and activities, too. What we do, we do with a flair, regardless if it’s our people or our businesses.” Bullard said the reaction to the new logo, which is still in its initial roll-out, has been positive. “The response has been neat. This gives us a new identity and a new way to take our message to new people and businesses,” he said.
has really flourished over the last several years.” Leaders like Chesley plan to keep the city flourishing. “We’re working hard on what we have planned for the next
—Les O’Dell
few years,” she said. “You can see that plan is working. We are not just another dot on the I-57 map. We’re a community that is growing — one that cares, and it shows.”
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SPOTLIGHT ON MOUNT VERNON
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THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2012
EXPANSION
JOEL HAWKSLEY / THE SOUTHERN
Old Glory hangs in a shop window in downtown Mount Vernon on Monday.
Building boom Infrastructure improvements at all levels benefiting the city BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
Even driving through Mount Vernon, one cannot help but notice a lot of construction going on. From the obvious widening of the interstate to new businesses under development, the community is a hotbed of activity and expansion. “There is construction all over town,” Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said, pride in her voice. She pointed to projects such as the widening of Interstates 57 and 64 to six lanes, as well as the new Veterans Memorial Drive interchange. “We’re very fortunate to have that new interchange,” she said. “It’s drawing attention to our city and the whole interstate corridor is providing more opportunities for development.” The roadwork is
beneficial to the city, but also to workers and the region as a whole, Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Josh Kauffman previously said. “This $30 million project will provide many jobs to all the trades directly working on the project, as well as all the producers and material suppliers on the project. The increase in capacity will also alleviate congestion and improve safety on the interstate around Mount Vernon,” he said. “The additional lane on I-57 is essential for the expansion of commerce in Southern Illinois, as the potential for future economic growth and job creation is dependent on an interstate that is safe and free of congestion to attract new business and support expansion of existing businesses.” Both Mount Vernon
hospitals are part of new projects, as well. Crossroads Community Hospital recently opened a new three-story patient tower, part of a $23 million expansion. The opening of the new Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center is just months away, capping a THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO multi-year, $237 million Construction work is shown being down at the Good Samaritan Regional Health Center on building project. June 21, in Mount Vernon. Sidewalk, street and water projects are ongoing throughout the city, and the mayor said even established businesses are getting into the construction act. “Almost all of our restaurants have undergone renovations over the last three or four years, and many of our car dealerships are remodeling,” she said. “That means all of these businesses like what they see here. That’s a good sign and that means they are reinvesting in our THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO community.” There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Crossroads Community Hospital on Aug. 9.
Preparing for the future Strategic plan provides forward-thinking goals, ideas BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
Many civic leaders in Mount Vernon point to one thing — a single document — as the cornerstone of the growth and success that the Jefferson County community is now seeing. That document is the city’s comprehensive plan, first put into place nearly four years ago. “In 2009, our city leaders developed a strategic plan for the community,” Brandon Bullard, executive director of the Jefferson County Chamber of
Commerce, explained. “In that plan, they looked at the next 20 years and how to take Mount Vernon to the next level — everything from infrastructure and business needs to housing and quality of life. A lot of what we are seeing now growth-wise can be attributed to that.” Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said the plan has been enormously valuable in making the city a better place for business. “What we’ve done is we’ve instilled more confidence into the economic development climate by having a
comprehensive plan for the city,” she said. “That plan tells our residents the direction we are going as a community, what projects are important and it gives developers and prospective businesses and opportunity to see where we are going.” Chesley said the plan has forced to city to be progressive and forwardthinking. “We said last year that we would be growing about 1,200 new jobs over three years, and that is developing at places like Continental Tire, Magnum Steel, the hospitals and small
businesses throughout the community,” she said. Bullard said that thanks to the plan, the city is both need and futurefocused. “It’s kind of a chickenand-the-egg sort of thing,” he said, indicating that with growth come additional needs. “We’re going through some growing pains, but we are willing to endure. Other communities our size are downsizing, but we’re growing. Some of that is because of the planning. It seems everywhere you look things are growing and getting better in Mount Vernon.”
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Street sign art is on display along Potomac Boulevard.
One footstep at a time New sidewalks improve access to school, community BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
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There’s an old adage saying fences make good neighbors. In Mount Vernon, a better saying might be that sidewalks make even better neighbors — and neighborhoods. New construction of sidewalks is making it easier for children to commute to school and for people to walk around their neighborhoods. One project is responsible for new sidewalks in the area around Buford School.
Funded in part by a $247,000 Safe Routes to School Sidewalk grant, the program led to the construction of new sidewalks along portions of Peach Street, Cherry Drive and Jamison Boulevard. “The grant program is designed to construct sidewalks in existing residential areas,” City Engineer Scot Prindiville said. “Specifically, this is to connect neighborhoods to schools so that students can travel to school safely without taking the bus or being driven.”
He said the new sidewalks, however, benefit more than just school children. “This is a neighborhood with lots of families. There are a lot of people who go for walks and this gives them a safer place to do that,” he added. Not only do the new sidewalks connect the residential areas to the school, but this one also leads to Veterans Park. “I think sidewalks add a quality of life to a community and make for a closer-knit community,” City Councilman Todd Piper said.
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SCHOOLS
Evolving education New high school will offer expanded opportunities to students, community BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
Administrators, teachers and students are always looking forward to something. Sometimes it is graduation; other times it may be a new subject to study, or even an upcoming school holiday. At Mount Vernon Township High School, there’s one other thing to look forward to: the construction of a new school. A new, two-story, 95-classroom facility is planned for 82 acres on Wells Bypass with an
anticipated completion date of 2015. The building will replace the existing high school campus, which features 11 buildings ranging in age from 38 to 106 years old. The entire project is expected to cost more than $60 million. Mount Vernon Township High School draws students from 12 feeder schools — an area of 250 square miles. “It’s good not only for the community of Mount Vernon, but Jefferson County in general,” Superintendent Mike Smith told The Southern
in February. District officials have been gathering community input and suggestions for the new school from the community. Smith said the input will make certain the new school is as efficient and effective as possible. Current students are also giving opinions on features and designs for the new facility. “Any community is enhanced by a new school,” Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said. “With this new high school, focus is being place on the
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Seventh-grader Lang Lang clicks through a slideshow project she did on homelessness on her school-provided tablet Feb. 2 at Casey Middle School in Mount Vernon. Students can plug their tablets directly into each classrooms SMART Board to give the presentation.
opportunities to move education into the new millennium.” Chesley said the school’s curriculum also is changing to meet the needs of the community. “The new school and educational programs will help students get a background of learning experiences where they will be more skilled and
have developed the skills needed for jobs in our area in fields such as nursing, technology, manufacturing and engineering,” she explained. “They are adapting the curriculum to the meet the needs of our existing and future businesses and industries.” Brandon Bullard,
executive director of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, said that a new high school benefits everyone in the community, not just the students. “It’s a case of a rising tide raising all ships,” he said. “This high school will be a huge boon for our city and economy,” he said.
RECREATION
A splash of fun Aquatic Zoo will include water features for kids, adults BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
Work on Mount Vernon’s new aquatic center is underway, with plans for the Aquatic Zoo to open in July. The $5.1 million facility will feature a variety of safari-themed attractions including a zero-depthentry leisure pool, a lap pool with high and low diving boards, an alligator walk suspended between trees, fountains, geysers, two water slides, a lazy river feature and several sun-bathing spots. “You will find numerous landscaped areas that allow your childlike fantasies to take you deep into our jungle of grasses, flowers and trees,” city Parks and Recreation Director George Bryant said at the facility’s ground breaking ceremony in October. “When you come to our water park, you will not
just come to swim; you will be on a safari.” Bryant said the choice of features for the aquatic center was driven by public input. “This new facility contains features handpicked by our children, teens, moms and dads and seniors,” Bryant said. “You helped to design the water park by the things you said to us at meetings, on questionnaires and on the street or while you were walking in our parks.” Mount Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley said the new facility will have regional appeal. “It not only gives the city more recreational facilities, but it also provides opportunities for the entire region,” she said. “This is not just for our residents, but also for those from the surrounding areas as well as those who come to visit or stay here in our hotels
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
City leaders throw water on the ground to celebrate the ground breaking of the new Animal Zoo aquatic center Oct. 25.
as they travel.” Bryant said the safari theme and Aquatic Zoo name were chosen
because Veterans Park used to be home to a menagerie of animals. “Animals allow us to
laugh, sometimes cry and dream,” Bryant said. “Our children today need to dream and have time to
play and make believe. The theme of our new water park is based upon a safari to a far off land.”
Safe for all riders What “Of Season”? Trails, bike lanes make commuting easier for cyclists BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
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Cedarhurst to Case Middle School Trail. “We’ve had a very positive response to the steps we’ve taken so far,” City Manager Ron Neibert said in an earlier interview. “Cyclists tell us they feel safer on the road now that they have a defined area to ride.” There also is a shareduse trail planned for Lincoln Park to Veterans Memorial Drive, which will be completed next year, and other trails are in the initial planning stages. “One of the commitments that the city council has made is that on every street that we redo, we are
incorporating bicycle lanes on the actual pavement,” City Engineer Scot Prindiville said. “A perfect example right now is 34th Street from Peach to Veterans. There will be two driving lanes and a striped bike lane on the edge of each side. There will also be a sidewalk for pedestrians.” Prindiville said that the council’s commitment means that, in most cases, city streets will need to be widened to accommodate the bicycle lanes. “The council is committed to providing access for bicycles and to make Mount Vernon a bicycle and pedestrianfriendly city,” he said.
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Mount Vernon understands the value of transportation. Ask Mayor Jane Chesley what makes the community special, and the first thing she mentions is the city’s proximity to interstate highways. “We’re located at the crossroads of the highways, and just to the north you have I-70, and to the south, I-24,” she said. Beyond transportation by automobile, Mount Vernon also appreciates human-powered motivation in the form of bicycles. To better serve those who ride, the city is expanding places for two wheelers — as well as residents who like to walk or jog — to get around through the construction of new shared-use trails. The goal is to give cyclists and fitness buffs plenty of places to safely exercise off the busy streets. The city even has a Bike Trail Committee spearheading projects for cyclists, including construction of the
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THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
‘Kimball.’ a horse fashioned from chromed car bumpers by John Kearney of Omaha, welcomes guests to the Mitchell Museum.
COMMUNITY ARTS
Beyond its own wall Cedarhurst represents more than just an art gallery BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
Mount Vernon has become a destination of sorts for people who love visual and performing arts, thanks to the legacy of longtime local art collectors and philanthropists John and Eleanor Mitchell, who
created Cedarhurst Center for the Arts for enjoyment and education. Situated on a 90-acre estate in Jefferson County, the center includes a permanent art collection featuring more than 400 works, three exhibition galleries, a large sculpture park and a series of musical
performances. Cedarhurst always has something new for visitors to enjoy. “Every week Cedarhurst has a different display or different functions,” Mount Vernon resident Todd Piper said. “It’s a nice place to gather and there’s always something going on there.”
Cedarhurst’s influence can be felt all across the community, said Cyndy Mitchell, executive director of Downtown Mount Vernon. “It brings an increased understanding of the arts to all of us,” she said. “I think that art is very much an important part of expression for any community, especially Mount Vernon. Cedarhurst has gone beyond its own grounds; it has infused itself into the entire community.” She said that Mount Vernon schools each have a sculpture on their grounds. “There’s a lot of learning that comes from each of these sculptures,” she said. “Teachers can use them to increase students’ imagination and understanding of the
AARON EISENHAUER / THE SOUTHERN
Don Pekarek of Algonquin talks with a customer about his jewelry during the Friday night preview of the Cedarhurst Craft Fair at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts.
world.” Piper affectionately called Cedarhurst a “third place.” “We have our jobs and our homes, then Cedarhurst is a third
place to gather and socialize,” he said. “It is a very comfortable place to go, spend some time and enjoy. It is an asset for the community.”
Past and present Granada Center for the Arts continues historic tradition BY LES O’DELL FOR THE SOUTHERN
Renovations and improvements at one Mount Vernon facility are keeping the past alive and giving area residents a place to gather and celebrate the performing arts at the same time. The Granada Center for the Arts on Ninth Street is home to special events, concerts, weddings, parties and movies — just like it has been for more than 70 years. Led by a completely volunteer board of directors, the project has seen more than $500,000 spent to restore the building and turn it into a multiple-use structure. When the Granada was originally constructed in the late 1930s it was
considered one of the crown jewels of Southern Illinois, home to countless live performances, films, bands and special events. Its art deco design, which has been preserved, brings back memories to those who attend events today. “So many people come to events and say, ‘Oh, I remember being in the balcony as a kid,’ or, ‘I can still recall the first movie I ever saw here,’ they’ll say,” Cyndy Mitchell, executive director of Downtown Mount Vernon and a member of the Granada’s board, said. Mitchell said volunteers make the facility really work. “They all are so committed to the facility,” she explained. “The ongoing renovations are a slow process, but
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the building gets better each year. There is so much community support.” Improvements in recent years include a new ticket booth, nearly identical to the building’s original one, as well as renovations in 2007 to the building’s lighted marquee. A mural featuring the actors and actresses of Hollywood’s heyday continues to be a prominent feature in the building’s lobby. A grant to replace the building’s roof has recently been secured. Future plans include new seating and continued renovation of the building. Today, the Granada can be rented for any number of special events. Mitchell said private parties, receptions, performances and even weddings all take place at the facility. One particularly popular offering is the regular (and free) Saturday matinees of children’s movies throughout the winter. “We really do have a variety of events,” Mitchell said. “This is a great facility for our community.”