Charlestowne Mall gets first crack at former Wal-Mart site

St. Charles residents who opposed the creation of a Super Wal-Mart on the east side of town might end up with an expanded Charlestowne Mall instead.

A deal struck between city officials and the owners of the 30-acre site adjacent to the mall this week opens the door to a shopping expansion big enough to host another anchor store if the struggling mall can regain its footing. The mall is currently held in a trust, along with other assets, as the result of recent financial woes. However, a mall expansion might be difficult given the property is still looking for a buyer to finance a restructuring of the mall complex.

That's key because the city's agreement with the owners of the potential expansion site only allows for about a one year window to consummate a deal between the mall and the owners of the expansion site. Once that window closes, the two lots designated for commercial developments in the agreement become four smaller lots, and the mall expansion is dead.

Mall management did not respond to an interview request Thursday.

Mayor Don DeWitte said if the four smaller lots become a reality, the size of the parcels would only be appropriate for a type of strip mall or shops the size of a Walgreens, hardware store or offices.

"The goal is light, less-intensive development that would abut the residential areas nearby," DeWitte said. No government buildings, schools, outdoor recreation, heavy retail, gas stations or buildings that stay open 24 hours a day will be allowed, he said. And, aside from a mall expansion, no single lot of the three on the 30-acre site is big enough on its own to accommodate a big box store because it would lack the necessary parking. The mall already has that level of parking available, making the expansion a viable option.

"I'm sure the city council would be willing to look at any significant commercial development associated with the Charlestowne Mall that could be a positive economic generator," DeWitte said.

Meanwhile, the group of residents who live nearby that adamantly opposed a Super Wal-Mart on the site is organizing once again. They've read the deal the city has made, they're just not sure they understand the repercussions yet, said the group's spokeswoman, Jill Humphrey. While no actual projects are in the city's planning process for the site - as is required for all land development deals - Humphrey said she's concerned that, at first blush, it appears the green lights for zoning and density on the lots are already a foregone conclusion.

"We're happy, or we're not," Humphrey said. "We're still trying to evaluate the impacts on our neighborhood."