St. Charles considering grant to help redevelopment of vacant downtown building

To spur redevelopment of a vacant historic building that once housed the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce and a dairy plant, city officials are considering a $30,000 grant to help bring retail and office uses to the space.

The building at 216 Riverside Ave. has been vacant for more than a year.

Once Riverview Dairy, the downtown building is being renovated by developers STC 216 LLC.

“The property is undergoing construction right now; once it’s complete, it will be retail and office space,” said Derek Conley, St. Charles’ director of economic development.

The developer is requesting a Business Improvement Grant from the city to help fund electric infrastructure upgrades and to install a fire sprinkler system, according to city documents.

Conley said the developer is eligible for a standard $15,000 grant and an additional $150,000 for meeting retail redevelopment criteria.

The developers estimate the costs will run around $129,134.

“I’d just like to compliment Frontier Property Development on the redesign and redevelopment of that property. It looks wonderful.” Alderman Bryan Wirball said.

The is pending approval of the city council.