Opposition continues regarding plans to redevelop former police station site in St. Charles
Residents continue to voice their opposition to two proposals for the redevelopment of the former police station site along the Fox River in St. Charles.
"We believe that the two proposals that remain on the table, namely the Frontier Development proposal and the Murphy proposal, should be dismissed," Mike Kanute said during the city council's government operations committee meeting on Monday.
"It doesn't seem to make any sense to leave those two proposals languishing," Kanute added. "I think it creates confusion. It arouses suspicion. And frankly, the longer these proposals sit there, the more stale and outdated the information becomes. So I would respectfully request that they be removed from further consideration."
His wife, Eileen Kanute, started a petition against Frontier Development's plans. More than 700 people have signed the petition that opposes the proposal for several reasons, including that the proposal is too big for the riverfront and that heavy traffic would overwhelm the surrounding neighborhoods and Main Street.
Other residents at the meeting also requested the two proposals be removed from consideration.
"I'm sure we will take all that under advisement," 1st Ward Alderperson Ron Silkaitis, chair of the committee, said in response to their comments. "And we shall go from there. I don't have an answer for you right now."
St. Charles Mayor Lora Vitek recently said she plans to revisit the redevelopment process in the spring. Discussion of two concept plans for the site has been dropped from the Nov. 14 planning and development committee meeting.
St. Charles residents packed the council chambers on Oct. 10 to hear about the two proposals.
Murphy Development Group proposes to build a five- to seven-story building that would house 141 apartments, a restaurant and retail space. The project would cost an estimated $60.5 million, with the developer not seeking any incentives from the city.
Frontier Development, in partnership with Chicago-based The Prime Group and Architectural Wood Expressions, proposes to build one six-story building and parking garage that would contain 107 residential units, four restaurants, 164 hotel rooms, a spa/fitness center and conference space. An 85,000-square-foot outdoor plaza, two rooftop pools and 750 lineal feet of public riverwalk also are part of the plans.
The project would cost about $150 million to build, with the developers asking the city for up to $20 million tax increment financing and revenue-sharing financing provided by the city.
Vitek said the city received positive and negative comments about both proposals.
"The city council believes some valid issues were raised in the public discussions when the concepts were presented," Vitek said in an email. "I am taking the time to engage staff to further look into issues such as parking, traffic and use of the river. While this may slow the process a bit, I believe the additional research and review are important to the successful redevelopment of the site."