St. Charles seeking proposals for First Street development

St. Charles officials are seeking proposals to help round out their vision for the downtown First Street corridor.

Mixed-use buildings, streetscape improvements, parking garages and new businesses have transformed the area south of Main Street between Route 31 and the Fox River in the last decade. With the most recent project phase well underway, city officials now are requesting potential plans for three remaining properties.

Developers have until July 13 to submit proposals for the final project phase, which includes a temporary parking lot at the southwest corner of Illinois and First streets, a grassy area next to the Blue Goose Market, and a vacant parcel at Illinois Street and Route 31. Plans can be submitted for any individual lot, or for all three collectively, Mayor Ray Rogina said.

Initial plans approved in 2006 called for the developments to contain retail, office and residential uses, much like the other buildings that have been constructed nearby, said Rita Tungare, community and economic development director.

"Having said that, we are open to a different mix of uses depending on what a developer brings to the table," she said.

The city's First Street project aims to have a "live, work, play" concept, Rogina said, pointing to a walkable plaza, several buildings with upper-level apartments, and plenty of shops and restaurants.

The first two phases of the project, completed in 2009, included demolishing structures, constructing mixed-use buildings, adding parking and relocating the Blue Goose grocery store.

The ongoing project phase along the river includes three buildings, all of which contain retail, office and residential components, according to project documents. Construction is beginning on one five-story structure this spring, while another is preparing for occupancy in early June. The third building and a parking deck already have been completed.

The city also plans to extend the downtown riverwalk, plaza and other streetscape improvements as each new development is built, Tungare said.

Officials hope to review plans and select a developer for the final three parcels by November, Tungare said. The goal, she said, is to begin construction on at least one of the properties by summer 2019.

Preference will be given to projects with ample parking and designs that fit in well with the downtown, according to city documents.

"I'm just really happy to see the synergy on First Street," Rogina said. "When the dust is cleared, I think we're going to have a nice package down there."