Politics & Government

Prop R: Voters Consider $3.8 Million Bond for Parking Garage Repairs

St. Charles will ask voters for a second time to approve a bond issue to pay for repairs to the crumbling garage on second street.

St. Charles voters will get another chance to consider a bond issue to pay for repairs to the city parking garage located on Second Street under St. Charles City Hall.

In November, a proposed $3.3 million bond issue for repairs to the garage failed to get enough votes to pass. About 49.5 percent voted in favor of the bonds for the parking garage and 50.5 percent voted against it. The issue needed 57 percent approval to pass. 

But the city council opted to bring the issue back to the voters, this time for $3.8 million in general obligation bonds, with a plan to better educate the public about why the repairs are needed. 

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The facility was built in 1973 and underwent structural repairs in 1995. A 2009 survey of the garage showed major structural problems including missing concrete, exposed rebar and exposed staircases, which has led to rusted handrails and peeling paint. 

"We don't need to build a new garage, but it is important that we maintain our city's current infrastructure," Mayor Sally Faith said in a promotional video for Proposition R

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The estimated cost of the project is $3.67 million, which includes $2.9 million in structural repairs, $600,000 to replace the fire suppression system, $144,000 for a private bus rental for the eight months the garage will be closed and $32,000 for a contract project manager.

If voters deny the bonds a second time, the city could use certificates of participation to pay for the project, but would incur an additional $585,862 in costs.

The debt would be repaid with existing property tax funds. The tax rate would not increase. 

The city created a seven minute video explaining the proposition and plans for repairs. 

The garage is used by about 150 people a day, although it has 390 public parking spaces. The city would likely provide a shuttle to other parking locations during the construction. 

See what else will be on the April 2 election here.


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