Riverwalk, plaza plans moving forward in downtown St. Charles

Plans to create a second plaza along First Street and an extension of the riverwalk received early support Monday from St. Charles aldermen. But they adopted a "wait-and-see" approach when considering which amenities those spaces should entail.

Both public improvements are long-planned components of the city's downtown project, which has transformed the First Street corridor into a pedestrian-friendly, business-centric hub over the last decade.

An ongoing project phase has focused largely on the riverfront, where the last of three mixed-use buildings is under construction and slated to be finished this fall. In a redevelopment agreement, the city committed to completing the "east plaza" and two-level riverwalk in coordination with that final structure, said Russell Colby, community development division manager.

The planning and development committee voted 6-1 to recommend approval of preliminary plans for those community spaces, which include a staging area for performances, landscaping, space for events and various public art opportunities. Designs also show curved stairs with seat walls leading from the plaza to the riverwalk, a portion of which was constructed last year.

For some of the larger proposed features, such as a fountain and a pergola, aldermen agreed to hold off until the fate of an adjacent, privately owned parcel becomes clearer. The plaza has the potential to be extended to the north, either into that vacant lot or up the property line to connect with any future development, Colby said.

"It may make more sense to wait until the full extent of the east plaza is known," he said.

Officials also decided to hold off on installing a railing on the lower level of the riverwalk, which Colby said could pose a maintenance issue due to potential flooding and damage from debris.

Some aldermen said they believed a guardrail would be unnecessary and may even provide a false sense of security. Other riverfront pathways in the downtown don't have railings, and "we haven't had a lot of problems," Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet said.

But Alderman Ed Bessner, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said he's concerned about not having a safety feature in an area with heavy foot traffic. If someone falls into the water, he says, he worries there's no easy way for them to get out.

"I do believe a railing is going to provide a much friendlier environment for all," Bessner said.

Alderman Maureen Lewis said she'd also prefer to have a railing, though she agreed it could wait.

St. Charles has budgeted about $1.3 million for the plaza and riverwalk extension, as well as any necessary infrastructure upgrades. If final development plans are approved by the city council, officials hope to begin construction this summer.