Granite City can be divided into eight areas: Downtown, East Granite, West Granite, North Granite, Nameoki strip, Community Heights, Bellemore area and the Wilson Park area. Most retailers and dining facilities are located on the Nameoki Strip, surrounding Nameoki Road.
The Wilson park area is notable for being home to the recently renovated Coolidge Middle School, Niedringhaus Elementary School, and Granite City High School as well as the city's crown jewel, Wilson Park. Wilson Park is sometimes called the "heart" of Granite City and is known for its nicely kept "turn of the century" homes.
East Granite is less defined, but is mostly modern residential subdivisions as well as both St. Elizabeth and Holy Family catholic schools. East Granite is north of the Blast Furnace at US steel. US Steel was formerly known as the Granite City Steel Co.
City Hall, Downtown Granite City
Downtown is at the south-western part of the city and is home to much of the city's industry, including the Granite City Steel Works. Downtown Granite suffered a downturn in the 1970s, which vacated much of its commercial buildings and in turn, urban decay began. More recently however, there has been a revitalization effort to revive the downtown area much like what Belleville, IL, Edwardsville, IL, and St. Charles, MO have done, although it is still in its early stages. Revitalization efforts include installing tree filled medians on Niedringhaus Avenue, street repaving, tax incentives, and new zoning restrictions. There is also a significant push for a new cinema, although it's still in the planning stage.
West Granite is located to the west of downtown across the railroad lines. West Granite contains both industrial and lower income residential areas and has been struggling to fight its above average crime rate. Lincoln Place (which in 1907, was named Hungry Hollow) became inhabited by approximately 10,000 immigrants from Macedonia, Hungary, Mexico and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. In 1910, many Armenian immigrants migrated to Hungry Hollow.
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