Detour ahead: An intersection in St. Charles will be closed for 8 weeks

ST. CHARLES - As construction on the First Street Redevelopment Project continues, so do the road closures. Today, the intersection at First and Illinois Streets shuts down completely. Drivers are advised to take alternate roads, and a signed detour route has been posted. The intersection originally was slated to close in May. Crews will be completing utility and street work. The intersection is scheduled to reopen in about eight weeks. The intersection is closed to through-traffic. The Illinois Street Bridge will remain open. The shopping center at Fox Island will be accessible from Illinois Street through its north parking lot and off Indiana Street. Nearby businesses hope a new campaign and loyalty will keep customers coming in. Mike Slopecki, whose wife owns Gramp's Frozen Custard in Fox Island Square, said that overall, the shutdown shouldn't sting too much. “I don't see that part of it creating much of a hindrance,” Slopecki said. “We have a lot of loyal customers who love us.” Slopecki said he hoped that people would continue to come downtown to see the development's progress. He also would like more emphasis on the businesses south of Main Street to help offset any fallout from the closure. “We need promotion to bring people here,” Slopecki said. “The new downtown St. Charles isn't Route 64 anymore. It's down here.” The Downtown St. Charles Partnership has been working with the shops in Fox Island Square. It has launched a new campaign “Make it to 1st Street,” with weekly gift certificate drawings for the area's businesses. The campaign runs through the eight weeks of closure. A similar closure took place in July 2007 when the intersection at Indiana and First streets was shut down. The intersection closure is part of the third stage of the First Street Project. Work on the River Loft and River Terrace buildings on the site of the former Blue Goose Supermarket and Harris Bank building and on a pedestrian plaza behind West Main Street will begin in May. The Parking Deck is slated to open this summer.

Road closure •During the eight-week closure, businesses in the Fox Island Square at Illinois and Indiana will be participating in the “Make it to 1st Street,” campaign, where customers can win prizes such as a mountain bike or $450 in custard, among other prizes.