St. Charles officials embrace half-mile river walk ideas

The only questions St. Charles city and park district officials had by the time consultants finished showing how the Fox River could be the centerpiece of the community Thursday night were: How hard will it be to do? And, how soon can we start?

Members of St. Charles' Active River Task Force have spent the last year developing a vision for how to bring a sportier version of the Naperville Riverwalk to the city. What they came up with is a half-mile, looping river walk extending from the Main Street Bridge to Prairie Street.

Within the area of that walk, the actual river would be home to a paddling course for kayaks and other water vessels, a new "Kodak moment" pedestrian bridge, and a shallow, diverted finger of the river that children could play in.

The multiple facets of the project would likely take at least 10 years to construct and, so far, an untold millions of dollars of funding. Council members and park district commissioners were not daunted.

"We as a council, with the park district, really need to make this a priority," said Alderman Steve Gaugel. "I feel that we have to do this. We have an outstanding opportunity to take this to the next level, to make this an attraction, and to bring more tourists in."

Mayor Ray Rogina went as far as to inquire about how to pull in neighboring communities, such as Geneva, to make the Fox River a more regional destination for on the river tourism.

Consultant Rick Hitchcock said there has been some interest already expressed by Geneva officials "looking to piggyback" on St. Charles' plans.

"A regional approach is really sensible," Hitchcock said. "One attraction is interesting. Multiple attractions are more interesting. Everybody can win if they focus on the river because there's so much opportunity for everybody."

Those opportunities extend to associated private investment and redevelopment of the areas adjacent to the river. Hitchcock said new restaurants, offices and residential construction would all be lured to the city if officials make the river a magnet attraction.

He even encouraged city officials to seriously consider relocating the police department to make way for a new hotel.

Park commissioners mainly focused on the obstacles involved with the dam transformation needed to make the paddling course a reality. The dam modification will be the most complex, expensive and time consuming aspect of the project, Hitchcock said.

Much of that has to do with getting the necessary permits from the various state and federal agencies who have control over the river. Early indications from those officials are that more information is needed to give a thumbs-up or -down even on just the concept.

Actual engineering plans and the associated, measurable scientific data to support the vision will be needed to win any government favor up the chain, Hitchcock said.

The next step is for his team to develop a checklist of goals in an order that can keep the project moving forward at a steady pace.