Forward Together: The City's Vision for 2025

Published on January 01, 2025

Last year was filled with many accomplishments, and we are looking forward to even more in 2025. Community surveys overwhelmingly show residents feel St. Charles is a great place to live, and it continues to be a place where businesses want to be. But we will continue to work to make St. Charles the best it can be. We have many goals for the new year and are focused on continuing to enhance the amazing quality of life we enjoy here in St. Charles. Here’s a look at some of the projects and initiatives planned for 2025:

More Choices

New development will bring more choices in retail, restaurants, and popular activities:

• Whole Foods: Anticipated opening is Spring 2025 in the former Blue Goose Market location. Filling the space with a premium grocer was a need in the downtown, and the number one request from the community.
• Fox Haven Square: A 7.5-acre dining and retail destination at E. Main Street and N. Kirk Road, will feature the city’s first and only privately-owned indoor Pickleball complex, as well as a mix of restaurants and retail options. It will include four separate buildings connected by a community plaza.

More Accessibility

We are providing more options to walk and bike around St. Charles, as well as interact with the City online.

• Implement recommendations from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan:
  1. Mid-block pedestrian refuge island on Illinois street at the Bob Leonard Walkway for safer pedestrian crossing.
  2. Dedicated buffered bike lanes on the Illinois Street Bridge and Illinois Street leading from the Fox River Trail to downtown and 1st Street.
  3. Flashing beacon signs at select pedestrian crossings.
  4. Improvements for the Fox River Trail crossing on Route 25 north of Moore Avenue.
• Make it easier to complete more transactions online: Soon it will be easier to submit, renew, and pay online for City licenses (liquor, cigarette/tobacco, coin operated amusement, massage and video gaming licenses) and special event permits.

More Amenities

A well-maintained infrastructure is essential to residents’ quality of life and creating opportunities for businesses.

• Lead Service Line Replacement: The City will continue to fine tune its inventory of water service lines to determine which structures may have lead service lines. In accordance with USEPA and IEPA requirements the City has developed a plan to replace lead service lines. Lead service line replacements are projected to start in fiscal year 2026-27.
• Road Rehabilitation Program: Last year, we expanded the resurfacing program to include more roads; this will continue in 2025.
• Kautz Road: Final improvements will be complete in Spring of 2025, when the road and completed bike/walking path will open.

More Engagement

We will continue to expand community outreach and engagement opportunities.

• More ways to get City news: Enhanced alerts will make it easier to keep up with the latest news from the City.
• Engage the next generation of municipal workers: Continue to provide job shadowing and internship opportunities for high school and college students.