Stories by Belleville News-Democrat journalists, with AI summarization
These articles focus on changes in Metro East real estate and how they affect investment, development, and quality of life. They show how new projects, business deals, and population shifts reset demand.
In Fairview Heights, a developer reworked plans for a major retail project after neighbors raised health and traffic concerns. The updated site will have more dining, less fuel sales, and better parking. In Belleville, a Florida company bought a struggling strip mall and will manage improvement plans, seeking to fill empty stores. Near Green Mount Commons, new commercial buildings and a national coffee chain are being built, changing earlier housing plans. Venice secured state funding to open a grocery store, aiming to improve local food access and create jobs. Population trends show some Metro East counties gained new residents even as Illinois lost population overall. These shifts influence what types of real estate projects attract investment in the area.
NO. 1: FLORIDA COMPANY BUYS TROUBLED BELLEVILLE STRIP MALL WHILE FORMER OWNER AWAITS SENTENCING
Jonathan Larmore was charged with securities fraud and sued by investors who say he misappropriated $35 million to support a lavish lifestyle that included a six-figure birthday party for his dog. | Published February 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Teri Maddox
NO. 2: DEVELOPER BRINGS NEW BUSINESS PLAN TO FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS COUNCIL AFTER NEIGHBORS COMPLAIN
The City Council will vote on the quick-serve restaurant/car wash combo on March 3. | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green
Trees being cleared behind the Lowe’s in Belleville Commons Shopping Center. By Joshua Carter
NO. 3: NEXT PHASE UNDERWAY NEAR BELLEVILLE’S GREEN MOUNT COMMONS. HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
Initially OK’d for the construction of townhomes, the area behind the east-end Lowe’s is being prepped for more mixed-use amenities. | Published March 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jennifer Green
NO. 4: METRO-EAST TOWN GETS $2.4M STATE GRANT FOR MUCH-NEEDED GROCERY STORE
The store is a first step in a plan to revitalize the city, officials say. | Published May 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Will Bauer
NO. 5: ILLINOIS LOST POPULATION SINCE 2020, BUT THESE 15 COUNTIES GAINED NEW RESIDENTS
Two metro-east counties were among the 15 in the state to gain population from 2020 to 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. | Published June 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard
NO. 6: METRO-EAST APARTMENT OWNER ACCUSED OF IGNORING TENANTS, DEFAULTING MORTGAGE
When Andrea Polk brought her newborn baby home this summer, running their apartment’s central air conditioning caused the furnace to leak and flood the living room on the first floor. | Published August 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alexis Cortes
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
