Architect’s rendering of planned new Metro Landing of Swansea. (Photo courtesy of Southwestern Illinois Development Authority)

Metro-East home sales continue to increase

The real estate market continued to pick up across most of Metro-East in July, according to reports this month by the Greater Gateway Association of Realtors (GGAR) and the Realtor Association of Southwestern Illinois (RASI).

Realtors in Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Fayette, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties all reported more homes sold in July 2016 than in the same month last year.

Macoupin and Montgomery county realtors reported fewer selling fewer homes – but at substantially increased prices. Randolph County realtors also reported a sales decrease.

Average closing and listing prices for real estate in Clinton, Fayette, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and Montgomery counties all increased year-over-year, according to GGAR, with only Bond County reported reduced real estate prices and data incomplete for comparison in Calhoun and Randolph counties.

Realtors in St. Clair County sold 2.8 percent more homes, while Clinton County recorded a 63.6 percent increase in home sales, according to the RASI. The association’s report for those counties does not provide specific sales volume or average price information.

Madison County, hard hit by slumping real estate sale over recent years, saw a bit of a turnaround in July with 356 homes sold at an average of $150,507; compared with 309 homes at an average of $144,483 a year earlier.  The average listing price there rose to $145,081, compared with $138,888 in the same period last year.

Fast-growing Monroe County continued to see home sales increase with 47 properties sold in July at an average closing price of $216,481; compared with 35 homes at an average price of $200,051 in the same month last year.  The average listing price for homes in Monroe County rose to $212,199 in July; up from $194,880 a year earlier.

Montgomery County saw only 17 homes sold in July; compared with 22 during the same last year. However, the average home sold for $118,988; up from just $86,473 last year. The average asking price there rose to $110,271 in July from $78,593 a year earlier.

Senior housing planned for Swansea MetroLink station

The Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA), in conjunction with the Bywater Development Group and the Bi-State Development Agency, announced, Sept. 20, that a $10.5 million senior-apartment development will be built adjacent to the Swansea MetroLink Station.

Bi-State, the area’s public transit provider, hopes the new Metro Landing of Swansea will be the first in a series transit-oriented developments at its light rail stations around the region.

The complex project, to be developed as a public-private partnership by SWIDA and Bywater, will feature a three-story building with 62 one- and two-bedroom apartments for older adults seeking an affordable, independent lifestyle, according to a SWIDA statement.

It is intended to provide older adults car-free transportation options via MetroLink and MetroBus to conveniently access restaurants, retail, entertainment venues, recreational locations, employment centers, and medical facilities around the bi-state region. The Swansea light rail station is located on the Metro East Park and Recreation District BikeLink trail system, so seniors will be able to utilize the trail for exercise and recreation, according to SWIDA.

Metro Landing of Swansea is scheduled for construction commencement in the summer of 2017 with full completion by late summer of 2018.

‘Clowns’ unnerve Madison County

Law enforcement agencies around Madison County have been receiving calls from local residents who have been scared by suspicious persons in clown masks, according to the Granite City Police Department.  The department responded to a rash of reports in their jurisdiction on the evening of Sept. 21, but were unable to locate the reported subjects.

Police believe the sightings are probably the result of youths donning the masks as a prank. However, “a simple prank can get out of control resulting in danger for all involved,” the department warns on its Facebook page. “Parents and everyone should be aware that these incidents are at the very least a breach of the peace, which can result in charges against the perpetrators.”

Unduly elevating concerns have been social media posts on the local clown mask sightings; accompanied by an Internet-sourced sinister clown image; assumed by some area residents to be the actual figures spotted in Madison County.  

Early voting opens with some new sites

Metro-East voters can begin casting early ballots for the Nov. 8 general election this week.  County clerks’ offices begin offering early voting Sept. 29.  

Madison County voters will be able to cast ballots at permanently designated early voting sites, Oct .12 through Nov. 8. The final day for regular voter registration prior to the general election is Oct 11. However, voters can take advantage of special “grace period” registration and voting Oct. 12 through Nov. 7.  Voters can register on election day, but only in their home precinct.

For the locations and hours of operation for early voting centers in Madison County, including new voting centers in Godfrey and Highland, see www.madisonvotes.com.  For information on Monroe County, see www.monroecountyil.org.  Early voting and grace period registration information for St. Clair County voters, outside of East. St. Louis, is available at www.countyclerk.co.st-clair.il.us.

The East St. Louis Board of Elections offers early voting and grace period registration at its offices during its normal weekday working hours.  The board offices will offer special Saturday early voting on October 1 and 8, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The board will also offer grace period registration and early voting during special Saturday hours on Oct. 29, and Nov. 5, (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) as well as during polling place hours (6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on election day.  Voters who have charged their place of residence but have not updated the voter registrations, can update their address in the voter rolls during the grace period, the board notes. For information see www.eslbec.org.

–Metro East Area News Briefs–