St. Charles City advances nonbinding plan with Park District to explore redevelopment of former police site

City staff presented and council approved a nonbinding statement of interest to explore redeveloping the former police-department site in partnership with the St. Charles Park District.

The statement, described by staff (Staff member, S5) as an expression of the city’s vision rather than a binding commitment, lays out proposed amenities and a planning schedule. "It expresses the city's interest in partnering with the St. Charles Park District," the staff member said, noting the document identifies site amenities to be explored and directs staff to produce conceptual site plans and preliminary cost estimates.

Staff told the committee the city would prepare three conceptual site plans accompanied by preliminary programming, operations outlines and construction cost estimates so council and the community can better evaluate options. Proposed amenities listed in the statement include a skate ribbon, a small band shell, space for small shops, a space for a farmers market, passive open space and public restrooms. Staff said the statement also expresses a desire for the site to attract visitors and support downtown commerce.

The timeline described by staff calls for a Committee of the Whole presentation in August, a workshop in September to review initial concepts, and iterative refinement through 2026; staff said engineering, possible demolition and grant preparation could begin in 2027 depending on progress. Staff also cautioned that the HOSLA grant closes in August and that the city does not expect to meet the 2026 HOSLA deadlines because that program requires completed site plans and public meetings. "That closes in August. We are not going to make the 2026 August deadline," staff said.

Several council members expressed support for moving the statement forward. A motion to approve the statement of interest was seconded and passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. The approval is procedural: the statement does not commit the city to a specific project or funding level, but it directs staff to continue planning and coordination with the Park District.

The committee will return to the issue in subsequent workshops and presentations; staff said it is open to a joint meeting with the Park District but that an immediate joint meeting would involve roughly 18 elected officials and may not be the most effective first forum.

Next steps: staff will prepare conceptual plans and cost estimates and present options to council and the Park District at upcoming meetings.