St. Charles considering infrastructure to boost power on Arcada block
With improvements likely to move forward on the property next to the Arcada Theatre, St. Charles officials now are considering adding infrastructure that could support increased electrical services for the entire downtown block.
The city purchased the former George's Sports Center building at 107-109 E. Main St. six years ago and has budgeted roughly $900,000 this year to fix it up. The proposed upgrades, which include an exterior facelift and interior renovations, are intended to prepare the space for a new tenant or buyer.
City officials also have discovered a need for additional utility work at the site, Public Works Director Peter Suhr said. A proposal pushed forward at the committee level this week calls for adding a transformer to the city-owned lot south of Walnut Avenue and installing conduits that would cross to the other side of the street.
The project would provide necessary electrical services to the former George's building, Suhr said, while also setting up infrastructure that would allow the Arcada or other properties in the immediate area to pull power from that source. The $127,000 price tag includes city material costs, plus a $72,445 contract with Addison-based Archon Construction.
"The real focus is the George's project and getting power to (that) space," Suhr said. "But we're keeping in mind that there's opportunities for not only the Arcada, but really all businesses in this block."
Aldermen acting as a committee this week also approved spending $137,755 on finalizing the interior demolition work for the old George's site. They gave a thumbs-up to the building's proposed exterior renovations, for which the city will go out to bid within the next month.
Construction is expected to be complete by next June, Suhr said, at which point the space would be ready for a tenant build out.
St. Charles purchased the building in 2012 with the intention of finding a use that would complement the Arcada. City officials previously had discussed collaborating with the theater's Seattle-based owner, but Administrator Mark Koenen said those conversations are no longer taking place.
Still, he said, the city recognizes its obligation to take care of the George's property, which has been deteriorating rapidly in recent years. Some upgrades already were made last year, including replacing the aging roof.
A particular tenant or use for the building has not been determined, Mayor Ray Rogina said, though Arcada manager Ron Onesti has shown an interest in the site's future.
"The purpose of working on George's now is to be a good neighbor," Rogina said. "It (could) become either what was it suggested it might be - a complement of the Arcada - or it might be something else for some other developer. ... Nothing has been set in stone just yet."