Work gets underway on First Street in St. Charles
Construction fencing will be going up on First Street in the next two weeks as preliminary site work for Phase 3 gets underway. Phase 3 includes construction of three mixed-use buildings and a two level public parking deck in an area bounded by First Street, Illinois Street and the Fox River.
Building #1, which will be located on the northeast corner of Illinois and First streets, will be the first building constructed on the site. It will contain upper level office space, street level retail space and private underground parking. The office floors of Building #1 will be fully occupied by ALE Solutions, which will be consolidating some of its operations downtown in the First Street building.
Construction of the parking deck that offers public parking is also expected to begin this fall.
City staff is reviewing building permit and engineering plans for Building #1. Once construction fencing is up, site utility work and excavation for the underground parking level will begin. State and federal approvals related to utilities and floodplain regulations on the site are pending. After these approvals are secured, the construction of the building will proceed.
No major road closures are anticipated other than temporary lane closings for utility work. Construction of the public parking deck will occur while Building #1 is under construction.
It is anticipated that Building #1 and the parking deck will be completed in 2016. Construction of Building #2, which will front on First Street north of Building #1 and will contain upper level residential space and ground floor retail space, will begin spring/summer 2016. Anticipated construction for Building #3 is 2017.
"We have been working with the developer in earnest since the city council approved the preliminary site plans in March," said Rita Tungare, community and economic development director. "We recently met with surrounding businesses in the area to update them on the latest developments so they are aware of what to expect regarding the upcoming construction and its related impacts. We are looking forward to this important phase of the project getting underway."
For more information, visit the project's website at www.1ststreetstc.org. Or, contact the Community & Economic Development Department at (630) 377-4443, or email 1ststreet@stcharlesil.gov.
About the City of St. Charles
Friendly neighborhoods, diverse retailers, international employers, innovative schools, beautiful parks, varied cultural amenities, and unique architecture have earned St. Charles its reputation as the Pride of the Fox. Located in both DuPage and Kane counties, the City of St. Charles is 35 miles west of downtown Chicago, and has a population of approximately 33,000. Over 2,100 businesses, consisting of a balanced mix of retailers, restaurants and manufacturing facilities, employ more than 18,000 people. The City of St. Charles was named the #1 City for Families by Family Circle® magazine in 2011; one of the "150 Great Places in Illinois," by the AIA Illinois; and one of the "Top 10 Towns To Live In" by West Suburban Living magazine. Visit www.stcharlesil.gov.