Belleville

Belleville has a rich cultural background, quality schools, growing businesses and a great quality of life. Belleville is very proud to have been named an All-American city by the National Civic League in 2011. Belleville is best known as a cultural and progressive community and it has earned a reputation as a great place to live, shop and play. Located just about twenty minutes from anywhere in the Metro East, Belleville is the premier residential community in St. Clair County. Belleville offers quality but affordable housing in everyone’s price range including: historical homes, loft living, established neighborhoods and new construction. It is near interstates 64 and 255 which give access to the St. Louis region in 15 minutes. The MetroLink light rail transportation links Belleville to Scott AFB to the east and St. Louis International Airport to the west. Due to its close proximity to Scott Air Force Base, Belleville is home to many veterans, defense contractors, and military retirees.

Culture

This community appreciates the arts. Belleville is the home of the #1 ranked art fair and second oldest philharmonic in the nation. You will find many pieces of sculpture scattered throughout the city from the ART on the Square, Sculpture in the City collection. There are many performing opportunities throughout the city with local community theaters, performing groups, the junior philharmonic, and the annual Nutcracker ballet. Downtown Belleville hosts events such as Wine Dine and Jazz and the Art & Wine Walk.

Schools

Exceptional educational opportunities abound in Belleville, from its award winning private and public schools. The City of Belleville is committed to having quality education at all levels. They have excellent schools, from Gold Medal elementary education to expanded higher education opportunities available at Lindenwood and Southwest Illinois College.

Growing Business Climate

Two new major retail shopping centers located in Belleville Crossing on IL Rt 15 and Greenmount Commons on Carlyle Ave. offer a variety of shopping and dining venues. Downtown Belleville features the beautiful Veteran’s Memorial Fountain in their public square, a movie theater, a variety of restaurants, and a wide array of specialty shops. These specialty shops offer antiques, handmade leather goods, sporting goods, arts and crafts, and unique clothing.

Quality of Life

Belleville is very proud to be a Community of Charter, an initiative adopted by local schools, businesses and various organizations to promote the importance of quality character traits within all aspects of life. Their enthusiastic service organizations and large base of volunteers are prime examples of the quality of life in Belleville.

Belleville has invested approximately 2.8 million dollars in their downtown entertainment and loft district streetscape. With the neighboring historic community the downtown area is one of Southern Illinois’ most vibrant downtown communities. The city’s 19 parks include extensive hiking, biking and running trails. Citizens Park includes Whitey Herzog Field which is a 1.4 million dollar ball park built in conjunction with the City of Belleville and the Whitey Herzog Youth Foundation. For more information regarding Belleville’s parks go to http://bellevilleparksandrec.com/parks/