St. Charles City Council Workshop July 28, 2022: Police Site Redevelopment

The St. Charles City Council held a special workshop meeting on July 28, 2022, to discuss the future of the former police department site. The meeting focused on reviewing proposals, refining the city’s vision for the site, and balancing public amenities, historical preservation, and development incentives.

Background: RFP Process and Proposals

Mayor Vitek opened the session with a historical overview of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, noting it began in June 2020, paused due to COVID-19, and was reissued in September 2021 to solicit high-level development concepts.

The city received four proposals from:

1. Flaherty & Collins – Two buildings, residential and retail, $53M cost, seeking $9.6M incentives.

2. T2 Capital – Mixed-use with phased apartments, hotel, and commercial, $53M cost, requesting infrastructure support.

3. Murphy Development Group – Residential with restaurant and commercial space, $60M, no city incentives requested.

4. Frontier Development – Residential, hotel, spa, and conference facilities, $150M, requesting $20M TIF bonds.

Council members and staff emphasized that the existing municipal building (City Hall) is excluded from development.

Council Vision and Key Considerations

During discussion, council members highlighted several priorities for the site:

• Public Amenities: Emphasis on parks, plazas, and spaces for community events.

• Mixed-Use Development: Avoiding residential-only projects; supporting commercial, cultural, or hotel components.

• Architectural Fit: Complementing the historic municipal campus and riverfront character.

• Density and Scale: Concerns about building heights, traffic, parking, and impact on nearby neighborhoods.

• Financial Investment: Debate over modest vs. bold city involvement and incentive allocation.

Council members stressed that public input will continue throughout the process and that the site should provide broad community benefits rather than serve only private interests.

Decisions and Next Steps

After reviewing proposals and discussing priorities, the Council reached several key decisions:

• Narrowed Developers: Murphy Development Group and Frontier Development selected for further discussion.

• Informal Engagement: Staff will also consult Flaherty & Collins about alternative design options.

• Online Transparency: All proposals and informational videos will be made available on the city website.

• Future Presentations: Selected developers will prepare detailed presentations, with opportunities for public comment and feedback.

• Environmental Considerations: Developers may need to address the dam, river park studies, and water well impacts.

Council members emphasized that these steps are exploratory; no final approvals were made during this workshop.

Community Feedback

During public comment, residents and former officials expressed:

• Support for public access and green spaces

• Concerns about high density and traffic

• Desire for historical preservation

• Suggestions for collaboration with non-traditional partners, such as the Park District or Forest Preserve

Citizens highlighted the need for the project to reflect long-term community benefit over short-term economic gains.

Conclusion

The July 28 workshop marked a significant step in shaping the future of St. Charles’ riverfront property. By narrowing the focus to two primary developers while engaging a third, the Council aims to ensure the site reflects community values, historical integrity, and balanced development.

Residents and stakeholders can expect continued public engagement as the city moves toward formal presentations and eventual selection of a developer.

FAQs

What was the focus of the St. Charles City Council meeting on July 28, 2022?

The Council reviewed proposals for the former police department site, refining the city’s vision and balancing public amenities, historic preservation, and development incentives.

Which developers were selected for further discussion?

Murphy Development Group and Frontier Development were chosen for detailed presentations, with Flaherty & Collins consulted informally about alternative designs.

What priorities did the Council emphasize for the police site redevelopment?

Priorities included public amenities, mixed-use development, architectural fit, building density, traffic considerations, and balanced city investment.

How did the Council plan to incorporate public feedback?

The city committed to online transparency, public comment opportunities, and continued engagement throughout the planning and presentation stages.

Were any final approvals made during the workshop?

No, the workshop was exploratory. Final approvals will occur after detailed presentations, community input, and consideration of environmental and historical factors.