Economic Development
The attraction and retention of diverse businesses is important for our city’s economic stability. We should continue to enhance our tax base through thoughtful business expansion and development opportunities. Our beautiful riverfront and quaint downtown are wonderful attractions as well as our great parks, bike trails, museum, shops, history and charming small town feel. We should increasingly leverage and market these assets to support our local businesses so they thrive.
Former Police Station Site and the Municipal Building
The redevelopment of the former police station site will be under consideration in the near future. Public meetings for determining a vision for the property must be facilitated in a transparent manner that embraces community input. Past meetings that involved discussions and consideration of concept proposals for the site lacked the high standards of transparency and community engagement that we should expect. For example, the July 25th, 2022 City Council Workshop meeting had the start time of the meeting changed from 7pm to 5pm, the Zoom link removed to prevent citizens from participating remotely, and public comments removed from the agenda. We can and must do better to be inclusive of community input that embraces the highest standards of transparency. The October 10th 2022 Planning and Development Meeting also included a concept that demolished two historic city hall buildings, and moved the PUD boundary for redevelopment around the historic Municipal Building in breach of the request for concept proposals. There is a letter filled with misinformation accompanied with incomplete minutes with only 3 selected pages from the July 25th, 2022 Council Workshop Meeting being circulated to deceptively claim the Municipal Building and other historic city hall buildings were never under consideration for removal. Please see the complete set of the minutes below in the PDF link which contains all 8 pages and highlighted comments referring to the removal of the Municipal Building and adjacent historic city hall buildings. I will not support a hotel, convention center, apartment complex, or give all of the land away for free to benefit a developer. I will support modest redevelopment options that focus on public amenities, such as an outdoor amphitheater, farmers market, boardwalk with shops, and preservation of greenspace with continued access to the riverfront public walkway. I will not support the sale or demolition of our historic Municipal Building as suggested in past meetings. The iconic landmark Municipal Building was gifted to the City of St. Charles, and it has served our community well. Let’s make sure the iconic Municipal Building continues to serve our community well into the future. You can read the minutes here by clicking on the links below that contain the discussions about the Municipal Building and also contain submitted renderings of the demolished historic buildings along with the PUD line moved to include the Municipal Building.
• March 9, 2019 City Council Workshop Minutes
• September 9, 2019 Planning and Development Committee Minutes
• September 14, 2019 City Council Fall Retreat Minutes
• July 25, 2022 City Council Workshop Minutes
• October 10, 2022 Planning and Development Committee Minutes
• Historic Buildings and Planned Unit Development boundaries
Historic Preservation
We have incredible historical assets and architecture in St. Charles, and it is important that we preserve the city’s unique and charming identity that attracts people to our community. The preservation of our historical legacy can work collaboratively with our city’s future development. Our downtown has many significant structures, such as the iconic Municipal Building that serves as city hall, and preservation of the historic Municipal Building must be prioritized when considering future redevelopment options at the former police station site.
Fiscal Responsibility
It is important that a blend of revenue-generating measures are implemented in order to take the ultimate burden off of the local taxpayers. It is also important to continue to look for opportunities to retain grants for city projects while holding the line on property tax increases during these unprecedented times. Public funds must always be spent in an efficient and responsible manner.
Collaborative Representation
It is important that residents are connected with their alderman. I am committed to maintaining consistent interaction and communication with 4th ward residents with the goal of building a collaborative relationship so your voice is represented. I will be available to hear constituent questions, concerns, and discuss solutions.
Quality of Life
St. Charles is a wonderful, safe place to live. I would like to be a part of current and future discussions that will set the direction of our community and address issues that are close to home. For example, it is important that we address infrastructure improvements to our water systems to improve water quality, pressure, and capacity issues that impact our day to day life. I believe it is important to always consider what impact policy and development decisions may have on the city’s livability and overall quality of life.
Government Transparency
Government operations should be transparent. Transparency is not something that’s simply achieved, it’s an ongoing effort to ensure operations and information are more accessible to all residents and stakeholders. This includes embracing and retaining innovative technologies that promote transparency like Zoom, which is currently an option for the public to access City Council meetings in real-time.
Enhance Walkability and Bikeability Safety and Connectivity
I care about making St. Charles a more connected, walkable and bikeable community. I supported and approved the Pedestrian and Bike Plan to enhance connectivity and safety in our community. I will continue to advocate for safety enhancements such as more stop signs, crosswalks and speed enforcement methods. I will continue to advocate for implementing improvements recommended by qualified engineers from the completed Pedestrian and Bike Plan to enhance the public safety and connectivity throughout our community. Consideration should also be given for the acquisition of the abandoned Union Pacific railroad line to extend the Great Western Trail to enhance our outdoor recreation for bikers, runners, and walkers.
More than anything, I care about what matters to you. As alderman, I will continue to listen to your ideas, concerns and act with your interests in mind.
-Bryan Wirball
Bryan Wirball for 4th Ward Alderman - St. Charles, IL 