First Street Plaza

In 2024, the city of St. Charles completed a downtown development that will provide many benefits not only to the community, but to the local businesses in town, as well. The 1^st Street Plaza project was completed with the goal of being a community gathering space, outdoor dining area, local event space, and more. 

Left: Band 13 Days Performing at STC Live! Right: Patrons Enjoying STC Live!

One example of how this space has already been used for community events is with STC Live! This summer, the St. Charles Business Alliance hosted free live music on the 1^st Street Plaza every Wednesday & Friday evenings from 6pm-7:30pm. This series of performances encouraged individuals to not only come out to enjoy the sounds of the musical performances, but also to spend additional time downtown, patronizing local businesses.

Patrons Utilizing Outdoor Dining Areas on the 1^st Street Plaza

And of course, the 1^st Street Plaza is a prime spot for visitors to enjoy dining al fresco. With many restaurants having outdoor patios in this area, it’s not hard to find a spot where you can sit-back, relax, and indulge in a mouthwatering meal and a thirst-quenching beverage all while enjoying the fresh air. On top of the outdoor seating provided by local establishments, there are even numerous public seating options, as well, perfect for bringing food from a nearby restaurant to enjoy in this appealing space. 

Visitor Interacting with the Digital Kiosks on the 1^st Street Plaza

Along with the public space, the renovated 1st Street Plaza also comes with an amenity that will certainly be beneficial to both visitors and to businesses: two brand-new digital kiosks. These digital kiosks allow for individuals to find local shopping, enticing cuisine, community events, and much more. Visitors using the digital kiosk may even stumble upon restaurants, retail, and other attractions that they may not have known about prior, making this a valuable informative tool, not to mention providing additional exposure for St. Charles businesses. On top of all this, users will be able to locate on a map exactly where an establishment is, making navigation a breeze.

Visitors Enjoying the Beautiful 1^st Street Plaza

While this revamped area will be utilized heavily by the community as a space for the public, there is also the goal that this renovation will be very beneficial to the businesses that call the 1^st Street home. As more and more people spend time congregating on the 1^st Street Plaza, will in turn translate to individuals exploring the local businesses. On top of that, with major community events beginning to use this space as part of the footprint will also result in higher foot traffic downtown, as well.

To find more information on the newly renovated 1^st Street Plaza, including the list of businesses, please click here.
- Nick Lowe, St. Charles Business Alliance