Collinsville supports local businesses impacted by road construction with “Raffle”
By Devese “Dee” Ursery
In a concerted effort to support local businesses that are being affected by the ongoing road repair and street upgrades throughout Collinsville, the City has initiated an incentive program to help drum up business.
On Monday, Feb. 10th, the City of Collinsville kicked-off the 2025 ‘Roadwork Raffles’ program, which encourages people to support local businesses that have been impacted by the St. Louis Road Streetscape Projects’ ongoing construction.
The St. Louis Road Streetscape Project is a construction project that’s currently underway along St. Louis Road between Maple Street and South Jefferson Avenue. The project is part of a collaborative effort to revitalize the St. Louis Road corridor. Work on the project will consist of a new sidewalk, a shared-use path, narrowing of the roadway, street lighting and a new public parking lot.
The Roadwork Raffles program is intended to bring attention to local businesses during the St. Louis Road Streetscape project, according to Assistant City Manager Jessica Short.
The Raffle works by first picking up a blank Stamp Card at either of the service counters at City Hall. Spend a minimum of $10 at any of the participating St. Louis Road area business to earn one stamp on your card. There is a maximum one stamp per customer per visit. Earn five stamps, representing $50 spent to fill your card. Once your stamp card is full return your completed Stamp Card to either of the service counters at City Hall.
Completed Stamp Cards will be entered into a monthly drawing for four One-Day Admission Tickets to the Collinsville Aqua Park that can be used during the 2025 Season.
These are the local businesses that are impacted by the construction and participating in the Roadwork Raffle program: Kruta’s Bakery, McDill’s Irish Pub, Horseshoe Lounge & Restaurant, Dairy Freeze (Opening for the 2025 Season at the end of February), Hairscapers Salon Marshall’s Transmission Service, Fix-O-Flat and A-Rod’s Auto Body Shop.
The goal of the City is to make the necessary upgrades to encourage all kinds of transportation along the St. Louis Road corridor including biking, driving, public transportation and walking.
Phase I of this project is currently underway with work consisting of the installation of necessary storm sewers throughout the project limits, realigning Bond Avenue to connect to St. Louis Road and constructing the public parking lot. This project is expected to be ongoing through September 2025.
Collinsville is incentivizing travelers of the St. Louis Road corridor to patronize businesses in the area that have been impacted by the construction.
“We hope that this program will not only encourage ‘regulars’ to keep visiting their favorite St. Louis Road businesses during the construction, but also motivate others to check out St. Louis Road businesses – perhaps for the first time,” Short said. “We are very thankful to our small business community and appreciate both the patience our St. Louis Road businesses have shown as well as their willingness to participate in the Roadwork Raffles program.”
Aerial photos of the St. Louis Road corridor, where the St. Louis Road Streetscape project is underway,(aerial photo courtesy of the City of Collinsville)
