Vacant since 2019, the former St. Charles police station site along the Fox River is set to be redeveloped in the future and St. Charles is looking for resident input on what it should be.
The former police station — at 211 N. Riverside Ave., along the downtown riverfront – has been vacant since 2019, according to a news release from the city, when the city’s police department moved its operations to a new facility at 1515 Main St.
The property was previously considered for redevelopment in 2021, according to the city’s website, but the City Council at the time rejected the four proposals that had been submitted and asked city staff to hire a firm to conduct a feasibility study looking at potential uses for the site.
Then, last September, the city released the feasibility study, outlining the site’s potential uses and evaluating considerations like parking and utilities. Among the possibilities for the site considered in the study were reusing the existing structure, turning the area into an open space for community events or constructing commercial or residential developments.
The city believes the property, which lies just north of St. Charles’ municipal building, is situated in a location that offers “a rare opportunity to create a dynamic space that reflects the community’s vision and priorities for downtown St. Charles,” according to the news release.
From 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 19, St. Charles is hosting an open house at City Hall, 2 E. Main St., the news release from the city said, where residents can learn more about potential redevelopment concepts, rank the different options and speak with city staff and planning consultants involved in the project.
The city is also offering an online survey, which will be open through Feb. 22, per the news release, for community members to share their feedback and ideas on the potential redevelopment of the site.
Residents looking to learn more about the site can go to the city’s website at: https://www.stcharlesil.gov/Government/Projects/Downtown-Riverfront-Property?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
