Take Two: Funding for Repairs to Parking Garage Again on Ballot

St. Charles voters will get another chance to vote on funding for upgrades to the city's aging parking structure. 

Voters in November failed to approve $3.3 million in general obligation bonds to pay for structural repairs to the city parking garage located next to City Hall. 

On Tuesday, the St. Charles City Council voted to put the matter back before voters on April 2. This time, voters will be asked to approve $3.8 million in general obligation bonds. 

The estimated cost of the project is $3.67 million, which includes $2.9 million in structural repairs, $600,00 to replace the fire supression system, $144,000 for a private bus rental for the 8 months the garage will be closed, and $32,000 for a contract project manager.

If voters were to fail to approve 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.

Also on Tuesday, the city council authorized the city to offer the sale of $12.4 million in general obligation bonds which will pay for a new public works facility and a public safety facility. 

Voters approved these bonds in November. 

The 6,000 square foot public safety facility will include a new fire station and several rooms for the St. Charles Police Department. A contract was awarded to Lamb Construction for the project which will be located at 3201 Boschertown Road.