First Street Plaza

More than 25 years ago, the City of St. Charles envisioned transforming the First Street corridor just south of Main Street (IL Route 64) and along the west bank of the Fox River. The vision included a walkable, mixed-use district with housing, shops, restaurants, structured parking, and public spaces to help reconnect the community to the riverfront. Over the years, the City invested in major infrastructure improvements including utility upgrades, roadway reconstruction, and floodplain remapping.  

By 2020, nearly all of the parcels north of Illinois Street had been built out, except one. The northernmost parcel abutting Main Street and the Fox River was previously home to a restaurant and parking lot, which had since been demolished. All that remained was the building foundation/riverwall along with a large depression adjacent to First Street.

Originally intended for private land use, the site proved difficult to develop due to its size and location. Over time, the concept of the City purchasing the property and developing a capstone project to create public open space and connect the riverwalk to Main Street gained interest in public discourse and with City leaders. The City purchased the northernmost parcel in 2020, and planning for the plaza began.

Designed by the team of Bodwé WBK Engineering, LLC (WBK) and Serena Sturm Architects for the City of St. Charles, this award-winning public works project has become a place for people of all ages to gather, celebrate, and enjoy the riverfront, all while supporting local businesses.

The project unfolded in two phases to address the site’s complex conditions and regulatory requirements:

Phase I was awarded in September 2021, with construction completed by April 2022. During this phase, our team worked to stabilize the river’s edge and prepare the site for future development by installing a 92-foot-long, 12-foot-tall soldier pile retaining wall drilled into bedrock. The new retaining wall was placed “inside” the existing building foundation to reduce construction costs and eliminate the need for more complex permitting. All Phase I work was completed from the land side to avoid disturbing the Fox River and minimize environmental impact.  

‍Phase II design began while Phase I was still underway. In fall 2021, the City initiated final design efforts with Serena Sturm Architects and WBK, aiming to bid the project in early 2023 and begin construction that spring. The design was inspired by the site’s natural setting and the community’s desire for a flexible, welcoming space. Phase II was bid in February 2023, and Martam Construction was awarded the $4.25 million contract in March, beginning construction in April 2023.

Supply-chain delays for specialty components such as trellis elements and solar infrastructure required resequencing and careful schedule control. By adjusting work packages, the core plaza and pedestrian connections were able to be completed in time for the 2024 event season, meeting the City’s target for public use. A grand opening celebration was held on January 24, 2024.  

While the plaza was fully functional and open to the public, some ancillary work with IDOT, including signal and curb improvements, was completed in early 2025 following permit approval in December 2024. The project was constructed within the original contract time and with minimal change orders, demonstrating strong construction management practices and cost control.

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Key project elements included:

• Permanent closure of First Street to through traffic

• Reconstruction of the streetscape with decorative pavers in a flowing, nonrepetitive pattern

• Leaf-shaped landscape planters with adjacent seat walls

• A signature trellis structure with photovoltaic panels to power accent lighting

• ADA-compliant walkways connecting Main Street to the lower riverwalk

• Overhead string lighting and an event-ready electrical system

• Native plantings with supplemental irrigation

• Interactive kiosks for corridor branding and wayfinding

• Upgraded crosswalks with audible pedestrian signals

• Removable bollards for emergency and maintenance access