Granite City continues focus on revitalization, welcomes new businesses

 

By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
[email protected]

The City of Granite City is poised for a remarkable transformation, thanks to a “meeting of the minds” and a dynamic collaboration now in place between local leaders and visionary entrepreneurs. 

Tim O’Donnell, owner of WGO Investments LLC based in Wood River, and Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson are spearheading efforts to rejuvenate the city, leveraging their shared passion for revitalizing Illinois towns.

Introduced by Madison County’s Chris Slusser, O’Donnell and Parkinson conversed and quickly discovered that they shared a common goal: To breathe new life into Granite City. 

O’Donnell, whose past successes in Wood River and Highland, Ill. are well-regarded, has expressed strong confidence in Mayor Parkinson and his team’s vision for Granite City’s future. 

And their partnership has already borne fruit, as they successfully recruited Josie Trupiano to launch her innovative dining concept, “Trupiano’s.” This new dining establishment is scheduled to open this month, and will feature Trupiano’s cherished family pizza recipe, along with a variety of additional menu items to be announced. 

“I’ve been over and tried this pizza, and it brings back memories of the local pizza place my parents used to take me to when I was young,” Mayor Parkinson recalled. Trupiano’s will provide a casual Italian-style dining atmosphere that is family-friendly and an authentic experience.

Under the guidance of Parkinson, the city’s proactive use of TIF funds has further facilitated the rehabilitation of several other key buildings in Granite City. Among those most recently emerging onto to a revitalized Granite City landscape are:

• JJ’s Bar-B-Q & More: A must-visit for barbecue lovers, the menu features the mayor’s favorite pork steak, along with fall-off-the-bone brisket, ribs, chicken and more. (1316 Niedringhaus Ave.)
• The Blind Pig: Also known on social media as simply “The Speakeasy,” this is a uniquely one-of-a-kind venue where a prohibition-era truck converted into a stage is a highlight. (1318 Niedringhaus Ave.)
• The Mill Event Center: Serving as the cornerstone of the town square, this venue has seen over $2 million in renovations and is ideal for fundraisers, bands, weddings, and other events. (1311 20th St.)
• Granite City Cinema: Featuring current movies, 3D flicks, and some of the best movie theater popcorn around, this is a perfect spot for a night out and within walking distance to various eateries and bars. (1243 Niedringhaus Ave.)

And with the summer season upon us, Parkinson talked about the live music sessions in the park that are free of charge and open to everyone. The 2024 Granite City Civic Park Concert Series begins June 5 and runs every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. through Sept. 25. Held at Civic Park (1301 Niedringhaus Ave.), the series features a mixed genre lineup of local and regional artists.

The Mill also hosts an impressive lineup of live music, year-round, in addition to a wide variety of other types of events. For example, on Saturday, June 15 and will feature “Chained Lightning: The .38 Special Experience,” with special guests Scott & Mechelle. And in September, the venue will host the national touring act “Fan Halen,” noted as the world’s most authentic tribute to Van Halen, with special guests SuperNova. Readers can visit https://themill.events/ for more information.

“And it’s all right outside the door of these restaurants,” Mayor Parkinson pointed out. “We’re trying to get people to understand that you can come down here and spend the whole evening. It’s not just about coming down and having a pizza, then leaving and going somewhere else. We’re hoping that people get used to being able to come down here and enjoy some good food, being able to go to the movie theater, and/or walk across the street with their takeout and take in some music in the park.”

O’Donnell added, “It’s about the movie theater; it’s about the new event space. It’s about all this coming together and the restaurants coming in that will also do catering for parties across the street. It’s about all this business coming together to really make an entertainment district in downtown Granite.”

The Parkinson-O’Donnell duo continues to explore further developments as well, including housing projects and heavy industrial job opportunities, with their vision for ensured sustainable growth and prosperity for the community. Together, they are working to transform Granite City into a vibrant, attractive destination that is poised for continued economic growth and enriched community life.

“We continue to seek out proven operators to come to Granite City,” said O’Donnell. “We hope that, by sharing these success stories, others will see the potential of what’s been started here and where we’re headed. We hope our words get out to other potential investors and that they see Granite City as a viable opportunity.”

“With these kinds of investments, it’s about bringing more people down here to see all the new things we have in Granite City,” Mayor Parkinson added, “and do more.”

O’Donnell replied: “The bottom line is this: Granite City is open for business, and ready for more. Much more.”

(Editor’s note: This story also appears in the June 2024 print edition of the Illinois Business Journal.)