Progress in bringing new stores and restaurants to St. Charles has accelerated in the past few months with many new establishments opening, or planning to open, in the First Street area. The developers of the project, 1st Street LLC, have recognized the need to be aggressive, and offer attractive and flexible leasing terms to businesses. Those efforts have paid off with leasing of retail space approaching 90%.  

The fantastic bakery Il Giardino del Dolce offers wonderful pastries and cookies (I love their coffee cakes). And, they offer delicious sandwiches and pizza slices at lunch. JP Jewelers is also located on 1st Street and the owner is a local resident who is well-known for his strong attention to the customer and providing quality products.   

The most recent addition is Wok n’ Fire restaurant. If you haven’t been there yet, I highly recommend it. And from the large number of people dining (or waiting to dine), I’d say I’m not alone. The Pan Asian cuisine is fantastic and the decor adds to the quality of the dining experience.  

Tenants that have signed leases and will open during 2010 include:   

• Prasino restaurant
• Ginger Root Hair Salon
• Boudoir French – a themed nail salon and day spa
• Jeans and a Cute Top Shop – women’s apparel (opening their 2nd store – the original location is in Wheaton)
• Brix Wine and Cheese
• Pizzeria Neo – a brick oven pizza restaurant

These tenants will contribute to the new energy in downtown St. Charles that has been spurred by existing tenants and other area businesses including Za Za Trattoria, Eddie Caruso salon, and Rx Cafe (in the former Knight’s Court space on Main Street).  

And, it has been recently announced that McNally’s Irish Pub will be moving to the 1st Street area by Memorial Day, 2010. Maurice McNally has purchased the former Miguel’s restaurant space at 109 W. Main Street and will be starting the renovation process soon.  

Main Street facade of the new McNally's

If you haven’t been to First Street recently, make it a priority. You can obtain quality products and services from top-notch businesses. And, you can park in the clean, safe, and convenient parking structure located in close proximity to all of these establishments.  

Come to 1st Street and see what you’re missing!

1. a “local, in-town” bridge in St. Charles
2. a sub-regional bridge at Red Gate Road
3. a regional bridge near the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad (Stearns Road)

The City constructed the in-town bridge at Prairie Street. Kane County was recommended to be the responsible party for the Red Gate Bridge, but later chose to focus its energy on the Stearns Road Bridge. Since that time, the City of St. Charles has proceeded with plans for the bridge at Red Gate Road, despite some minor objections from the neighboring Village of Wayne and others who live in close proximity to the bridge location.  

To summarize, the purpose of the project is fourfold:  

1. to serve community growth and to improve connections between the east and west sides of northern St. Charles,
2. to reduce traffic volumes and congestion on the IL 64/Main Street Bridge,
3. to improve emergency vehicle access for emergency vehicles in northern St. Charles and the surrounding area, and
4. to improve roadway system continuity and operations.

The Stearns Road bridge will help to achieve these goals as well, but will not have the direct benefits of a bridge in St. Charles to serve St. Charles for the benefit of St. Charles.  

The project study area extends along the Fox River, generally from IL 31 to IL 25 between IL 64/Main Street and the City’s municipal limits, just north of Red Gate Road—a distance of roughly 3 miles.  

To view conceptual drawings of the Red Gate Bridge, click here.  

There is tremendous community support for the project. Fox River Traffic Congestion Poll Results and 2009 Priorities Survey and 2009 Priorities Survey – Pie Chart demonstrate this.  

At this time, financial analysis shows that no new taxes or tax increases are needed to construct the Red Gate Bridge. We will use a combination of federal, state, and local funding sources for the project.  

St. Charles will continue to push for the completion of this necessary transportation improvement.  

The City of St. Charles and Downtown St. Charles Partnership have announced an initiviative to help renovate the marquee at the historic Arcada Theatre. 

Arcada Theatre in St. Charles

The purpose of this project is to refurbish and enhance the exterior appearance of the historic Arcada Theatre in order to fulfill goals included in the City’s 2014 Strategic Plan, including: 

• Preserve the charm and character of St. Charles as a captivating community.
• Promote responsible business development and redevelopment.
• Encourage and promote an array of arts, cultures, and businesses to contribute an eclectic and lively feel to the downtown.
• Plan proactively and progressively with community and business partners for a continuing dynamic downtown.

The primary means of funding this project will be SSA 1-B proceeds, a special taxing district that only applies to properties in the downtown. The funding for the project is similar to the City’s facade improvement program that is available to downtown property owners. Should there be insufficient proceeds available from SSA 1-B, the intent is to pay the remainder from a proposed 5% admissions tax that would apply to performances at the Arcada Theatre.  

The City and Downtown Partnership will fund the work. The Partnership is providing a $2,500 grant through its signage, awning, and lighting program. The City will cover the balance. Ron Onesti, owner of Onesti Entertainment and operator of the Arcada Theatre, is required to reimburse the City for 50% of the cost of the work by collecting contributions through a non-profit Arcada Foundation that he is currently working to establish.  

There are benefits to the City assisting with this project. In addition to the obvious aesthetic benefits to the downtown, Mr. Onesti believes that the improved marquee will help him to attract additional “top notch” talent and draw additional patrons to the venue. This will generate additional visitors and the resulting economic impact for downtown businesses.

Additionally, the City and Partnership will be able to use the marquee for informational and governmental messages about our programs, services, or events. This will be mandated by the agreement and will serve to communicate better with residents, visitors, and others who pass by the theater. Many communities have these types of signs at their city hall or municipal center. Our setting doesn’t allow us to have our own sign, and, even if it did, the sign would be expensive to install and operate. Cooperating with the Arcada on this is a great opportunity for collaboration and improving communication to the community.

It has been reported that the east face of the marquee was damaged by a truck that backed into it. The truck that damaged the marquee fled the scene and the offender was not identified. It was a basic hit and run. Therefore, there is no insurance claim to be filed. Additionally, it is my understanding that the damage was relatively minor and repairing it would have been akin to putting new doorhandles on a jalopy – it just isn’t worth the investment to repair something that really needs more significant renovation.

At the present time, the agreement that spells out the obligations of all parties is being drafted. Once all parties have approved the document, it will be presented to the City Council with a final cost estimate and the sources of funding.