St. Charles to celebrate downtown redevelopment
St. Charles' new downtown parking deck will likely draw more people than cars this Sunday as the "All Decked Out" celebration looks to duplicate the success of the "Rockin' Block Party" from last year that drew more than 3,000 people for a day of family fun.
This year, the Downtown St. Charles Partnership is kicking the festivities up a notch with more children's activities and more than $1,400 worth of prizes.
Children can enjoy an inflatable moon walk, tours of a real fire truck, remote control car racing, balloons, temporary tattoos and an appearance by St. Charles' "Charles T. Fox."
The fun isn't just for the kids. Live music, a robust "Taste of St. Charles" offering and the grand prize drawing of the "Make Tracks to Main Street" promotion will also take place. Everyone who entered the prize drawing at any point in the year is eligible to win two dozen long-stem roses from Amlings Flowerland; a $20 Death by Chocolate from KnightsCourt; an $80 wine basket from La ZaZa Trattoria; an overnight stay at the historical Hotel Baker, or 1/2 carat pair of diamond earrings donated by Doc Morgan that are valued at $1,000.
More than 30 businesses have come together to help make the "All Decked Out" celebration happen. That's perhaps fitting as the whole purpose of the gathering is a celebration of the early success of the city's first parking deck on the west side of town. Despite early concerns about appearances, the parking deck's design has blended right into the downtown. The structure hosts 430 public parking spaces and 55,000 square feet of office and retail space on the first three floors. Perhaps most popular of all is the garage's electronic monitoring of parking spaces that eliminates the need to circle the garage like a vulture to find a spot. The electronic monitoring directs drivers straight to the open spaces as they enter the garage. The structure also has a special heating system that keeps the ramps clear of snow and ice.
Drivers have had full access to the five-level garage since spring through three points of entry that are open 24 hours a day. Because of its ability to provide easy parking and make shopping more convenient, the parking deck is one of the cornerstones of ongoing redevelopment in the downtown.
As the parking garage makes a difference in the local economy, so will the "All Decked Out" event.
The first 1,000 people who drop off a business card at the Management Recruiters booth will trigger the donation of $1,000 to Lazarus House. Having relocated their business to accommodate downtown development, Management Recruiters is now hoping to help relocate individuals and families who are down on their luck into new jobs and places to stay. The money raised will help pay for kitchen supplies, health care products and clothes. Lazarus House is the only emergency shelter serving the middle of Kane County that is open every day of the year.
Lazarus House provided 363 men, women and children with a safe place to stay from June 2007 to July 2008 alone. That included the serving of more than 67,000 meals.
To help Lazarus House and have some fun while learning all the features of the new parking deck, the "All Decked Out" celebration will run from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14 at the parking deck, located at Walnut and First Streets. For more information, call the Downtown St. Charles Partnership at (630) 513-5386.
If you go
What: The Downtown St. Charles Partnership's communitywide street party
When: 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14
Where: Walnut Street and the first level of the new parking deck.
Highlights: Live broadcast by 95.9 The River from 2 to 4 p.m.; the band Hello Dave from 6 to 8 p.m.; fire truck from 4 to 5 p.m.; and DNA registry kits from the police from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Info: www.dtown.org or (630) 513-5386.