Looking back: Downtown St. Charles a distinctive element of the community

The City's Strategic Plan identifies 6 main "vision areas." They are:

• Quality of Relationships - Our City fulfills its commitment to building quality relationships throughout the community.
• Sense of Place - Our Community generates an appealing sense of place and fosters a welcoming, sustainable environment.
• Service Delivery, Resources and Needs - Our City organization maintains an optimal service delivery framework that balances resources with needs.
• Economic Vitality - Our Community prospers in a diverse, self-renewing climate of business, industry and housing.
• Vibrant Downtown - Captivating downtown St. Charles, rich with social, cultural and economic vibrancy, is a distinctive element of our community.
• Mobility and Connectivity - A quality transportation system assures community access, mobility and connectivity.

This week, I am sharing the achievements that I am most proud of in the area of Vibrant Downtown. They are as follows:

• The First Street project was approved in 2006 and has become a new community gathering place thriving with new retail establishments and restaurants, reflecting the original vision for this area. The Chaddick Institute at DePaul University recognized the First Street project with its Municipal Development Control Award. This recognizes a suburban unit of government that has been innovative in managing the development process to promote favorable outcomes over a period of four years or more.
• In 2010, the City provided grant funding to enhance the Arcada Theatre, including the rehabilitation of the marquee and improvements to the technical capabilities of the theatre to allow for expanded entertainment performances. The project will enhance the economic vitality of the City of St. Charles by generating additional economic activity and, subsequently, tax revenue for the City’s coffers.
• In 2010, the City sold 3,000 square feet of land on East Main Street next to the Heritage Center to allow The Office restaurant to create an attractive outdoor seating area that has become one of the best places to gather with family, friends, and co-workers.
• In 2011, the Municipal Center Riverwall/Plaza project was recognized by the American Public Works Association Public Works Project of the Year. The project won in the category for projects less than $5 million - Historic Restoration/Preservation. The project was also recognized with the 2011 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award by Landmarks Illinois.
• In 2012, the City completed the Bob Leonard River Walk which includes stabilization of the west shoreline of the Fox River and development of a bicycle/pedestrian path that stretches from Illinois Street to the Prairie Street bridge.
• In 2012, the City Council approved the acquisition of the former George’s Sporting Goods store, with a goal to use the facility to enhance the adjacent Arcada Theatre by providing modern amenities including meeting and pre-function space, modern restrooms, concessions facilities and other complimentary uses.
• In 2012, the City collaborated with the Downtown St. Charles Partnership and local downtown businesses to develop a public-private, cooperative holiday advertising campaign utilizing both print and radio media to showcase downtown St. Charles generally and specifically participating downtown merchants.
• Over the past 5 years, over $250,000 has been expended on downtown storefronts through the City’s façade improvement program to enhance the appearance of the downtown and maintain a historic charm.
• In 2013, the City purchased the former VFW property on North 3rd Street to expand parking in this area of the downtown. Future redevelopment in the area could include a public parking structure on the property.

Next week I will conclude the 6-part series with my "Top 10" achievements in the area of Mobility and Connectivity.