Proposed Business District Boundaries Could Shrink

One week after discussing the possibility of establishing the East Gateway Business District, St. Charles council members are already looking at trimming areas out of the proposed 720 acre plan.

During Monday night’s council meeting, city aldermen said they wanted to discuss the boundaries prior to preparing the business district plan. Alderman Cliff Carrignan, who was absent Monday night, discussed shrinking the district last week. Because he was absent, Aldermen Joann Krieger and William Turner said they would like to wait until Carrignan returned so he offer his input.

Mayor Donald DeWitte suggested council take the entire area for study, then shrink it if necessary.

“We need to know what's available in establishing this district, then we can know if we can take a bite,” he said.

Chris Aiston, economic director for St. Charles, told council it would be wise to define the boundaries of the proposed district before developing the plan.

Last week consultants for the city told the Planning and Development Committee area has inadequate street layouts, there are areas of deterioration and has economic under use. The area under discussion includes commercial areas such as Charlestowne Mall, Tin Cup Pass, the former Baker’s Square and Main Street Commons.

Creating a business improvement district would allow the city to enact a special sales and hotel tax, which can be used for a variety of activities including land assembly, public infrastructure improvements, site preparation, and advertising.

Alderman Jim Martin wanted to know if city staff has approached businesses and residents in the proposed business district. Martin said he has seen nothing reflected in their thoughts on the creation of the district.

Aiston said residents have been notified of the proposal through fliers and will have opportunity to share any concerns during a public hearing, which is required by law prior to creation of the district.

In a , City Administrator Brian Townsend said establishing a business district "is an opportunity to provide incentives for redevelopment and marketing activities."

In a 2009 city survey, almost 70 percent of respondents rated the appearance of East Main Street as “average,” “poor,” or “very poor.” It was the lowest rated corridor in St. Charles, Townsend said.

Council voted 5-4 to accept the report of eligibility and to proceed to the next phase of establishing the district.

Council also accepted a report on Charlestowne Mall, after its presentation last week. Following that presentation several council members said they did not need to spend $24,750 to be told the mall needs new ownership and tenants.

Calling it a “glass half-full approach,” DeWitte said he will wait for the final report before passing judgment on its content.  He said the goal is to ascertain what is in the report and to determine public sentiment on any projects that may develop.

Public sentiment is part of the second phase of the project, which will include public forums for residents to chime in on the possible future of the mall.

The full report is expected to be submitted to the city no later than July 10.