Progress in a major downtown St. Charles development project is going to result in a lane closure and the closing of some temporary parking in the downtown area, starting this month.

The city of St. Charles sent a news release this week saying work is progressing on Building 3 at the southeast corner of the 1^st Street Development, at Illinois Street and the river. Steel for the building frame is scheduled to be delivered starting this month and will require closure of temporary parking and one lane on Illinois Street.

The 1st Street project is a mixed-use downtown redevelopment project spanning five downtown blocks along 1st Street, in the area generally bound by Main Street (IL Route 64) on the north, the Fox River on the east, Prairie Street on the south, and 2nd Street (IL Rout 31) on the west.

The first two phases of the project completed in 2009 included reconstruction of streets/sidewalks and utilities along First Street, relocation and expansion of the Blue Goose Market, construction of the 430-space parking garage building, and the creation of the public plaza adjacent to the Main Street businesses.

Construction is now under way on Phase 3 of the project, which is the riverfront property located at the northeast corner of Illinois and First Streets. Phase 3 is planned to include three mixed-use buildings, a public parking deck, an extension of the First Street plaza east to the riverfront, and a bi-level pedestrian riverwalk.

For more information on the history of the project, approved plans, and updates on the construction activity, visit the Building First Street website: www.1ststreet.org.

Temporary Parking to Close

The temporary parking off of 1^st Street, at the north end of the construction site across from the 1^st Street Plaza, will be closed starting April 17 to allow for staging of the steel delivery. The angled parking along 1st Street and the nearby parking decks will remain open.

Westbound Illinois Street Reduced to One Lane

The outside westbound lane of Illinois Street will be closed beginning April 24, for approximately 6 weeks.

About Building 3 of the 1^st Street Development

Building 3 is a five-story office and residential condominium building, which will house Sterling Bank offices. Plans call for a bilevel riverwalk to be located along the building and the river.

“Work at the 1^st Street site is progressing at a steady pace,” said Community and Economic Development Director Rita Tungare. “Building 3 is on schedule to be completed late summer 2018. Adjacent at Building 1, the street level businesses, Kilwins Chocolates, Brunch Café and Vintage 53 are all open. And the buildout continues on the upper floors of Building 1, which will house ALE Solutions. It’s great to see all the hard work and planning come to fruition.”

For more information, contact the City’s Development Engineering Division at 630.443.3677.

SOURCE: city of St. Charles news release