CALHOUN: Talks of AltonWorks National Park idea continue in Calhoun and move into Jersey

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By Steven Spencer

Concerns among residents of Calhoun County and Jersey County have been growing recently about a “New Vision for the Alton Riverfront.”

The idea for the riverfront comes from the Alton-based company, AltonWorks, and includes developing portions of local riverfronts for a National Park that would extend into Missouri as well as Illinois.

Discussions of the idea have been coming up outside the City of Alton recently in Calhoun County as well as Jersey County due to the land that would be included in the park outside of Alton and Madison County.

AltonWorks is a company started by Alton attorney John Simmons, of Simmons Hanly Conroy LLP, and his wife Jayne Simmons. According to their website, AltonWorks believes in rebuilding communities in ways that catalyze other redevelopment, spark transformational change, and create optimum social impact.

AltonWorks describes itself as a social impact redevelopment company focused on the revitalization of Historic Downtown Alton as a healthy, thriving, walkable city.

“At AltonWorks, we believe that innovation is foundational to transformational change, and it underpins our overall strategy,” AltonWorks CEO John Simmons is quoted as saying on their website. “Each area of economic development that we are focused on overlaps and sustains the others by creating communities of people who support each other. I’m convinced, with the right investments combined with a big, can-do attitude, Alton can become a bright light of innovation, opportunity and equity for this entire region.”

The idea for the “Great Rivers National Park” was presented to the City of Alton’s Alton Riverfront Advisory Commission, of which John Simmons is a member, on November 28, 2023.

According to the AltonWorks website, the Alton Riverfront Advisory Commission voted to recommend the City of Alton “join with others to conduct a study on the viability of creating a Great Rivers National Park.”

A press release from AltonWorks dated the same day described the “long-term vision” to create a 135,000-acre National Park.

“Currently the Great Rivers Confluence Region is managed by 20 federal, state and local jurisdictions. Bringing these lands together under the National Park Service would provide consistent trails and amenities and leverage park marketing, maintenance and funding for a 135,000-acre, 144-mile designated recreation park. Alton is home to two Federal Wildlife Refuges, a large federal footprint of actively managed Army Corps of Engineers’ land, and the largest State Park in IL at Pere Marquette near the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. In addition, the National Great Rivers Museum, The Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, the National Lewis and Clark Trail, and the Mississippi River National Water Trail are located here. Because of this Federal presence and the outsize impact of the Mississippi River on American culture, history, and economic development, AltonWorks believes the idea of a national park is worth exploring,” the press release states.

CEO of AltonWorks John Simmons is quoted in the November release as saying “The combination of the riverfront, the Clark Bridge, Marina and the historic downtown area makes the perfect setting for a national park and could attract tens of millions of dollars each year to the city, state and regional economies. To help Alton reach its potential, we want to attract and retain people of all ages to live, work and play here. Together, we have the ability to transform the riverfront into a national treasure and family-friendly outdoor recreation destination.”

Although a map from AltonWorks shows land in both Calhoun and Jersey that would be included in the park, neither County Boards have been formally presented information at any of their board meetings.

The minutes from the November 28, 2023 meeting of the Alton Riverfront Advisory Commission state that the presentation from AltonWorks included suggestions for a “revived riverfront that includes more greenspace, opportunities for engaging with the Mississippi River, an improved port with concessions, the possible move of Argosy and preferred locations, and an improved amphitheater with a greenroom and artist amenities.”

The meeting minutes also state that the next steps would include an EPA Community Change Grant, ACOE Planning Grant and Great Rivers National Park Proposal.

The full meeting minutes and agenda can be found at https://www.cityofaltonil.gov/alton-riverfront-commission/#204-2023-1672413358.

While AltonWorks has said that the park idea would take time, some residents fear it’s already too far underway.

The Calhoun County Commissioners met on Tuesday, Sept. 17, and with an overflow of residents in attendance the park discussion portion of the meeting was held in the old gymnasium at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office to accommodate for the number of guests.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Calhoun County Commissioners created a 15-person committee dedicated to the park subject and approved a Resolution of Opposition.

“We want to oppose this plan. They haven’t approached us with this plan,” Chairman of the Calhoun Commissioners Phil Robeen said. “We, I think as residents of Calhoun County, want nothing to do with this happening in our community.”

Calhoun Commissioners and residents discussed the possibility of land being seized through eminent domain, and how the park could impact agricultural land and hunting rights.

“This was the best kept secret in the entire southern half of the state,” Calhoun Commissioner Terry Woelfel said.

The AltonWorks idea for the National Park also came up Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Grafton City Council meeting. Dan Ebbing, President of the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, used the public forum portion of the meeting to discuss the issue.

Ebbing said there are so many stories and rumors surrounding the subject and asked the council a few questions on behalf of the citizens of Grafton.

He asked how businesses and residents would be effected? Will property owners within the boundaries of the park be forced to sell property through eminent domain? Do property owners and residents have a say so? Will there be a public meeting in Grafton?

“Is this administration in favor, against, or undecided about this proposed park? That’s the main question that we’re asking,” Ebbing said. “How can we find out more information? Their website is very generic. There’s nothing on it. It says we propose this park. It doesn’t say what the rules and boundaries are. And where does the plan sit now? Is it moving forward? Is it in the study phase? What’s happening? No one knows.”

Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow said he would put the topic on the agenda for discussion next month and provide answers to those questions.

“One of the questions of how does this council or how does this mayor think, let me answer that,” Mayor Morrow said. “As your mayor, I can not and will not support any idea, concept or plan that infringes on the rights of our citizens to exercise their freedoms to hunt, fish or recreate on private, state of federal property, or would in any way interfere with your second amendment rights under the Constitution of the United States of America to bare arms.”

Jersey County Board Vice Chairman Mark Wagner, said he attended a meeting in late August hosted by AltonWorks that had some other elected officials in attendance.

Vice Chairman Wagner said he believes the idea would negatively impact the local hunting economy and is opposed to the idea.

The Jersey County Board is expected to have the topic on the agenda at their next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

AltonWorks told River County News that the park idea is still in the early phases and would take quite some time.

Susan Ryan with AltonWorks said that hunting and other recreational activities wouldn’t necessarily be at risk under National Park guidelines.

Ryan said that some national parks allow for hunting, and should Congress allow it, hunting could be permitted within the “Great Rivers National Park.” She said it’s a very viable possibility and not an impossible ask. 

AltonWorks was unable to provide answers to some of River County News’ questions. As of press time, AltonWorks has not reached out with additional information but has invited River County News to a meeting taking place next month.

The National Park Service website says hunting may occur in park units where it is either mandated or authorized as a discretionary activity in the park’s enabling legislation or other laws.

The National Park Service manages over 400 park units and hunting is authorized in 76 units, trapping in 31 and fishing in 213. Approximately 51 million acres is open to hunting with 43 million acres in Alaska and 8 million acres in the contiguous states. Regulations also vary in parks where hunting is allowed.

While some have called the idea a “pipe dream” AltonWorks has a number of other projects in the works as well. One example is the redevelopment project on the old Wedge Bank in downtown Alton which AltonWorks is in the process of rehabilitating into the Wedge Innovation Center (WIC).

Their plan involves transforming the old building into a co-working space that they say will also house a fiber optic broadband company, an AI company and will have SIUE as an anchor tenant.

According to a 2022 press release from AltonWorks they are making a $25 million investment in the WIC.

“AltonWorks is making a $25 million dollar investment in the Wedge Innovation Center and the State of Illinois has granted the project another $3 million. The Wedge will create 106 full-time jobs during construction. Once open, it will create 249 permanent full-time and 62 permanent part-time jobs, with an average wage over $43,000 per year. Eighty-four percent of the permanent jobs created will have a living wage, 20% will be accessible to persons without a four-year college degree, and 90% will be hired from the surrounding community,” the release states.

In 2022 Governor JB Pritzker awarded $106 million in capital grants to revitalize commercial corridors and main streets in Illinois through the Downtown and Main Streets Capital Program. AltonWorks was on the list as one of the awardees for work at the Wedge.

According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, $23 million in grants have been awarded to Rex Encore LLC, the private equity investment firm which is the handling company for AltonWorks, for development at the Wedge. $3 million was awarded through the Downtowns and Main Streets opportunity and $20 million was awarded through ARPA Direct Line Capital Appropriations.

The project description for the Downtowns and Main Streets grant says “grant funds will be utilized for a portion of the costs associated with the purchase and installation of various interior renovations required to create The Wedge Innovation Center.”

The opportunity description for that funding says “grants to units of local government, private businesses, and/or not-for-profit organizations to support improvements and encourage investment in commercial corridors and downtowns that have experienced disinvestment, particularly in the communities hardest-hit by the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis.”

The project description for the ARPA Direct Line Item Capital funding says “grant funds will be utilized for all costs, including any that are prior-incurred, associated with the design, oversight, and construction activities related to the purchase of a new fiber optic network throughout the City of Alton, IL.” 

The opportunity description for that funding says “grants to specific local governments, units of government, educational facilities and/or not-for-profit organizations by members of the General Assembly and the Governor for specific purposes to bolster the State’s economy and improve the overall quality of life throughout the State of Illinois. Federally funded from the Coronavirus Relief Fund using dollars allocated to Illinois for purposes permitted by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and related federal guidance.”

According to reports in the Alton Telegraph and on Riverbender.com, the Alton City Council also approved a $7.5 million TIF grant to WIC Landlord LLC for the Wedge Redevelopment Project in December of 2023.

WIC Landlord LLC is one of five active LLCs with “WIC” or “Wedge” in the name that has Rex Encore LLC listed as the registered agent on the Illinois Secretary of State website. Those include WIC Leverage LLC, Wedge Innovation Center LLC, WIC Managing Member LLC, WIC Landlord LLC, and WIC Tenant LLC.

The Illinois Secretary of State website has a number of LLCs listed with Rex Encore as the registered agent, including some that own property in Pike County.

AltonWorks has said the Wedge Innovation Center is scheduled to open sometime in the fall of this year.

With concerns about how the AltonWorks projects and ideas will float into other counties, the newly formed committee in Calhoun is scheduled to have its first meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Grafton City Council is scheduled to meet again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The Jersey County Board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.

More information on AltonWorks and their vision for a National Park can be found on their website AltonWorks.us/news and at https://altonworks.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231128-Alton-Riverfront-Park.pdf.