Downtown plaza and east side developments in store for St. Charles in 2024
St. Charles Mayor Lora Vitek said residents can look forward to a revitalized downtown plaza, new east side developments and improved walkways and bike paths in 2024.
The official opening of the First Street Plaza development is set for 6 p.m. Jan. 24.
According to a city news release, everyone is invited to the grand opening of the plaza, located at Main and First streets near the Fox River in downtown St. Charles.
Visitors to the grand opening can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and hot cider served by Alter Brewing.
The new plaza will offer a central location for public fairs and festivals, entertainment and events.
It includes a paved, pedestrian walkway connects the plaza space to the existing plaza on the east side of First Street. The northern portion of First Street — from Main Street to the entrance of the parking garage — has been permanently closed to vehicles to accommodate the walkway. Features of the plaza include:
• A trellis surrounding the new paved plaza. It will be topped with solar panels that will help power the plaza and offer shade as well.
• Benches and shaded seating areas offer a place to sit and take in the views.
• A riverwalk along the Fox River connects to the Main Street sidewalk.
• Outdoor tables for visitors to grab a bite from one of the restaurants and cafes surrounding the plaza.
The plaza is the result of a public-private partnership formed by the city and the St. Charles Initiative — a group of volunteers who spearheaded a private fundraising effort.
To date, $1.5M of the $6.4M total project cost has been raised for the project with grants and private donations through the St. Charles Initiative. The fund is administered by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.
Donations are still being accepted. For more information about how to donate, visit the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley website.
Vitek said after a year of construction work hindering outdoor dining and downtown shopping, the plaza will be ready for full utilization by residents and visitors this month.
“While we will continue working to put the final touches on the plaza, we wanted to get it open as soon as possible to allow everyone to begin enjoying the space,” Vitek said. “My sincerest thanks to the efforts of the St. Charles Initiative and the many donors who so generously contributed to this project. Without the dedication of these individuals and their commitment to St. Charles, this project would not be possible. I also would like to thank our public works department for guiding the construction of this plaza.”
The city broke ground on the project in September 2021 and the total project cost is $6.4 million, with 4.9 million coming from the city and $1.5 million paid through grants and fundraising.
Also in 2023, Vitek said the city approved many new developments and improvements, toward which residents can expect to see real progress this year.
“The work has been done to make things happen, now it’s a matter of finishing the projects,” Vitek said.
Vitek said she expects the completed plaza to attract out-of-town commerce that the city has been missing during the pandemic and the past year of construction. She said it also will provide a great space for improved community events and holiday celebrations in St. Charles.
Some highly anticipated new businesses, like Chick-fil-A coming to the city’s east side and Whole Foods taking over the former Blue Goose Market, are expected to begin making progress.
“Movement will start to happen on a lot of those things that everybody has heard about and has been waiting for,” Vitek said. “The east side has seen a lot of new development and activity, and is going to continue to see that in 2024.”
A new “piazza”-style shopping and dining development at the corner of Route 64 and Kirk Road near the east side Jewel-Osco and the Charlestowne Mall is expected to begin making headway next year. Developers received council approval last fall and Vitek said though it won’t be completed in 2024, she expects initial development to begin this year.
Also on the east side, Vitek said she is hoping the former Pheasant Run Resort will be completely demolished and removed by year end.
More than 1,000 units of residential developments are in the works in St. Charles and are many expected to begin construction this year, including the Springs at St. Charles and Charlestowne Lakes, with several others in various stages of development.
Residents who walk or commute by bicycle should have an easier time navigating through the city next year, as the city council established a plan to improve walking and bike paths this year.
Vitek said residents will start to see those improvements being made this year.
The city also has been conducting a parking study, whose results are expected to be presented before city council next month.