St. Charles residents have more opportunities to share their thoughts on how the city should redevelop its former police station site along the Fox River, with plans for a workshop in April and an online survey.
The former St. Charles police station site — at 211 N. Riverside Ave., along the downtown riverfront — has been vacant since 2019, when the city’s police department moved to a new facility at 1515 Main St.
The property was previously considered for redevelopment in 2021, per 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.
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.
Then, in February, the city hosted an open house about possible plans for the site, and sought resident input via an online survey.
Now, the city is continuing to seek the public’s feedback, with a workshop planned for 4 to 6 p.m. April 8 at City Hall, according to a news release from the city. No advance registration is needed to attend, the city said.
The workshop is meant to build on the feedback the city received from the previous survey and the February open house, which, per the city’s news release, expressed support for using the site as “programmed open space with community gathering opportunities.” Going forward, the city is looking for resident input on things like potential amenities, programming, food and entertainment options and how the existing building could be used.
The workshop will have interactive stations where attendees can share their preferences and provide input on priorities and trade-offs for plans for the site, according to the city. Visual materials and conceptual renderings will also be available. Those who attend the workshop can also share feedback on other potential development options, according to the city.
The city is also offering another online survey for residents, which is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PDsitesurvey2?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
All of the public feedback gathered is to be compiled into a summary for the St. Charles City Council, which will use the information to guide the next steps for the site.
“The second phase is a key step in moving ideas toward actionable plans,” Derek Conley, the city’s economic development director, said in the news release. “The second workshop allows the community to help shape the future of our downtown riverfront and ensure the site reflects the vision of the people.”
