'A legacy for all of us': St. Charles eyes redevelopment of former police station site

A joint commission made up of city council and park district commissioners could help decide what takes the place of St. Charles’ former police station along the Fox River.

City council members gave direction to staff this week during a workshop meeting to draft a statement of interest signaling support for working with the park district and the property’s redevelopment.

A statement of interest agreement could be reviewed by aldermen in July, Deputy City Administrator Derek Conley said. Mayor Clint Hull expects to put together a group of city council and park district representatives to begin work on the project.

The former police station, located along the Fox River at 211 Riverside Drive, has been vacant for more than five years. In 2019, the city opened a new $24.6 million station at 1515 W. Main Street.

A recent public survey indicated strong support for public uses at the former police station and surrounding property, such as an ice skating ribbon, farmers market, small shops or a band shell. Other potential uses that garnered support from residents include public art installations, an area for lawn games, a food truck area and a floating garden. Residents also expressed support for keeping the police station building open for public use.

Officials said a partnership with the park district could help secure state grants to redevelop the property, which is about 1.75 acres. The park district also could aid with event programming, officials said.

In 2021, city officials turned down proposed projects for redevelopment that included hotels, shopping centers or apartments.

“We’ve sat on this long enough,” Alderman Mark Foulkes said. “I would like to move forward. I think it could be great for the downtown area.”

Foulkes also suggested the project could help draw a younger crowd to the downtown district.

“This is something that might finally attract youth to our downtown,” he said.

While council members want to move forward on the project, aldermen also said they want to take the time to get the project “done right.”

“This is going to be a legacy for all of us,” Alderwoman Vicki Spellman said, suggesting the project could be something featured on city postcards.

City officials did not present any cost estimates for the redevelopment of the station and surrounding property. However, council members said they were willing to include funding for the future project, noting it benefits the city.

“When you’re looking at things like this … if it’s increasing property values and quality of life, I can get behind supporting things like that knowing that we’re keeping other (expenses) in line,” Alderman Steve Weber said.