O’Fallon OKs Meijer superstore plan after months of heated opposition from neighbors

After seven public meetings, three letters to residents, two electronic feedback surveys and hundreds of hours worked by traffic engineers and city staff, it’s official: A Meijer store will be coming to O’Fallon sometime in early to mid 2026 in a location vehemently opposed by neighboring residents.

This project, and The Shops at Pierce Boulevard proposal, now complete the development of the Green Mount/Interstate 64 interchange, which has been one of O’Fallon’s primary commercial growth zones.

Meijer is to develop a 160,000-square-foot retail and grocery store at the southeast corner of Green Mount Road and Pierce Boulevard, just north of Interstate 64. Plans include a drive-through pharmacy window, online curbside pickup and outdoor garden center.

Based in Michigan, Meijer, a family business established in 1934, pioneered the supercenter concept in 1962. It presently has over 240 stores in six states and employ about 70,000 people.

In a 10-3 vote, the O’Fallon City Council approved the planned-use request. Aldermen Jim Campbell and Tom Vorce, who represent Ward 6, where the development is located, did not support the ordinance, nor did Ward I alderman Ross Rosenberg. Alderman Jerry Albrecht was absent.

Also in the works, The Shops at Pierce Boulevard were approved unanimously with little objection. GBT Realty is developing five lots at 700 Pierce Blvd. that are currently agricultural fields. The 22,000-square-foot project is expected to cost $1.85 million, which includes public works, property acquisition, construction, site planning, legal costs and so forth.

While tenants have not been named, expectations are for a larger sit-down restaurant, three fast food restaurants and a medical office building.

During the city’s review, several revisions were made to Meijer’s proposal. At the request of the Planning Commission, the developers redesigned the site to be more pedestrian and bike friendly.

The development is subject to completion of the final traffic impact study and resolution of required roadway improvements.

One traffic improvement already in place is limiting the size of vehicles that can use Pierce, a result of the studies and suggestions. Lee Cannon of CBB Transportation Engineers + Planning had reported that 45 to 50% of the traffic on Pierce is currently cut-through traffic from Lincoln to Green Mount.

“Signs are in place and it is being enforced,” Mayor Herb Roach said.

What’s Next?

“There is a lot more work that is ongoing and will be done between now and when Meijer’s store will open in early to mid-2026,” Roach said.

A new drainage study for that area will be reviewed by the council’s Community Development Committee on July 24, and will likely be presented to the council on Aug. 7 for a vote.

“We currently are continuing to do traffic studies to have a baseline on the speed and amount of traffic,” Roach said. “We will shortly start putting in place different types of temporary traffic calming methods to see which does the best job for that area.”

Roach said further review of improvements for those walking and biking in that area will be done.

To build additional turn lanes and more work that needs to be done, design work will be scheduled. Plus, there will be ongoing reviews of any construction, lighting, and drainage that is needed for the property.

“Our Public Safety departments will review the project and make plans to account for this area, as they do with any new developments in the city,” Roach said.

Meijer Addition

Meijer is constructing a retail supercenter in Glen Carbon and has locations in Springfield, Illinois, and Champaign, Illinois. It was expected that if O’Fallon did not approve it, Meijer would seek a neighboring community for the new addition.

Community Development Director Justin Randall said 60 to 70% of the city’s retail shoppers are from elsewhere.

O’Fallon currently has a Schnucks, Aldi, Walmart, and Sam’s Club, in addition to several small specialty markets and bakeries. Neighboring Shiloh has Dierbergs and Target.

Besides fresh produce and meat, Meijer carry apparel, pet supplies, toys, and electronics. This site wasn’t expected to be a 24-hour store.

While concerns over traffic issues mounted at that location, some residents wondered why another site wasn’t selected. Others commented that the company’s profile was generally regarded as a good business to have in the city – just in an area that wouldn’t impact their neighborhood adversely.

Alderman Vorce summarized that sentiment: “Good people, wrong location,” he said.

Over the course of the public meetings that began in late April – Meijer filed May 1 – residents near Pierce Boulevard have been vocal in opposing any development exacerbating traffic issues.

Since Green Mount’s rise as a major artery, residents have sent letters and submitted petitions regarding their frustrations and experiences.

About 14 residents made public comments at the July 17 council meeting, before and after the vote.

Several accused aldermen of only supporting “money” and several exchanges turned heated. Anyone present was allowed five minutes to speak, as is the city requirement, and several residents were interrupted after the time limit.

The mayor later addressed accusations that Meijer “wined and dined” aldermen to curry favor, and other “misleading statements” and embellished information.

“Not one person on this council has accepted a meal or a hot dog or a Coke, or anything else,” Roach said. “It is a slap in the face to the good people on this council.”

He said the aldermen take their roles very seriously, listening to concerns, looking at requirements, and how proposals impact the community.

“We make changes as we go along. There’s a lot of care and thought that goes into this work.”

Still, following the vote, one resident said “I have never felt so betrayed in all my life.”

Another resident thanked the council for listening, but said after living in O’Fallon for 33 years, “my heart is not here right now.”

Pierce Boulevard Business District

The Pierce Boulevard Business District, bounded by the intersection of Pierce Boulevard and Green Mount Road, and the westbound off-ramp of Interstate 64, includes a 6.68-acre parcel for The Shops at Pierce, but not the adjacent site for Meijer grocery.

The council unanimously approved establishing the business district, and its plan, a redevelopment agreement and authorization to impose taxes within the business district boundaries on Monday.

City officials say the business district will attract stable business and commercial growth so that is the purpose behind the financial incentives that will allow the developer to collect up to an additional 1% sales tax on retail goods, which is above what is currently collected in the city and is not a sales tax rebate.

Public improvements expected to total $2 million must be made to accommodate the project and address inadequacies of the adjoining street network and safe access to Pierce Boulevard.

The public improvements will include turning lanes into and out of the proposed development, a new internal public street system, improvements to Pierce and Green Mount intersection, and extension of utilities within.

The developer indicated that another source of funding is necessary to cover the infrastructure improvements, which meets the city’s criteria for a business district. The tax increase will be able to financially assist in covering those costs.

“The proposed project will further solidify O’Fallon as a key business center within St. Clair County. This project and the Meijer grocery store bordering the district to the southeast will complete the development of the Green Mount/I-64 interchange,” City Planner Ryan Auer wrote in a staff report.

“It is anticipated that the new commercial will attract additional retail sales. It will also provide additional commercial services to the residents of O’Fallon and attract business patronage from residents in surrounding communities,” Auer stated.