St. Charles throws party to show off First Street construction project

Dave Stowell of St. Charles stopped by the block party given by the Downtown St. Charles Partnership on Saturday to check out renovation on First Street.

"It seems like it will be an improvement over what was here," Stowell said. "The area definitely needed rebuilding. There were a lot of older buildings from the turn of the century that weren't worth renovating. The project should revitalize the whole area and get away from the bars of the 1930s."

That's the kind of reaction organizers were hoping for.

The block party was held on First Street between Prairie and Indiana streets to give residents a firsthand look at how construction is progressing at the conclusion of the $105 million Phase 2.

The monumental project, slated for completion in 2012, will bring shops, condos, offices and public areas to First Street. The party was held in front of nearly completed Milestone Row, which features 22 luxury condos with retail stores on the first floor.

"I'm pleased with the turnout and especially the turnout of businesses," said David Richards, executive director of the partnership. "The party is a great opportunity to support businesses and let the public know that First Street is open and will be through the winter."

Construction won't start again until spring.

"The residents have been patient and the challenge is to support the businesses here during construction," Richards said. "They've made a significant investment in the community."

The block party included tours, entertainment, children's activities (they could get their photo taken on top of massive construction equipment) and a chance to sample local food.

Cindy Slopecki, owner of Gramp's Frozen Custard, was on hand at a booth that was a block south of her shop's permanent address on First Street.

"Our business is doing fine," she said when asked if she had concerns about a negative impact from construction and closed streets. "The product is so good it will pull us through. You have to try some."

Mary McLaughlin of Needle Things, a yarn boutique that is part of Third Street Shops in St. Charles, welcomes the expected competition as new businesses open on First Street.

"It will be so much more wonderful," she predicted. "Change and redevelopment are essential to staying alive. I was dreading the construction phase but it's not bad at all."

For information, visit www.dtown.org or www.1ststreetstc.org.