Starting an individual thread now that the district has been approved and could become one of the region's largest developments. This is not the final approval. It just allows Glen Carbon to consider using STAR bonds which will be reviewed/approved in 2027. "The Glen Carbon district received approval as the largest type of STAR bond district, which the legislation terms NOVA, an acronym for New Opportunities for Vacation and Adventure. Under the STAR bond legislation, NOVA incentives require more than 500 acres of development and a reasonable expectation of at least $500 million in capital investment, with at least $300 million in planned gross annual sales." ... "In order to qualify for NOVA incentives, the project would have to attract more than 1 million visitors annually and create at least 1,500 jobs."

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... tzker.html

Destination Illinois by C.R. Holland proposes a $1.97 billion project on 1,534 acres at the interchange of interstates 270 and 255. The project could include big-box retail, multiple hotels, athletic facilities, public facilities, restaurants and breweries. The site could also potentially include residential and office development, the developer said in plans submitted to the village. The state approval allows Glen Carbon to consider using STAR bonds, a financing tool that uses new sales tax revenue generated inside a project area to cover eligible development costs. 

Blank slate and a pretty solid opportunity to build nice bike infrastructure within the development. It hugs the MCT Nature Trail and skirts the northern edge of the MCT Nickel Plate Trail. 

Unfortunately this plan doesn't look like they are addressing it at all

This will be nothing but typical sprawl however this is a rare occasion where I can support it. Anything that can pull the epicenter of the region back east is a good thing.

Looks like this project is looking at a ""water park hotel" like the Great Wolf Lodge to anchor this project. 

What other hotels operate a business model similar to GWL? Maybe they are trying to get GWL there. 

Both Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari are expanding aggressively. Kalahari is building a 900 room resort and waterpark in Virginia. Both would/will be a great addition to the Zoo Park in North County.  

^ Great point! The Zoo Wildcare Park is up there in no-man's land. It could use some amenities close by. Too bad that marina project is not moving forward. (Unless I'm mistaken)