St. Charles city officials are asking residents how they feel about a plan to redevelop the former Manor Restaurant site in downtown St. Charles as a public plaza.

Last year, aldermen unanimously voted to purchase the former Manor Restaurant site at the southeast corner of Main & 1st streets for $1 million in order to expand the 1st Street East Plaza. The St. Charles Initiative, an independent advisory committee under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, is raising funds for the project. The project is expected to cost $4 million.

At this time, $750,000 in private donations have been received for this project, and the city has committed $1.4 million. Plaza enhancements will proceed as funding/donations are available, city officials said.

Residents can voice their opinions about the project in a survey. The link to the survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LCDNZ3J

Responses can be submitted through Jan. 29. Work on the project is expected to begin this summer. Highlights of the project include:

• A paved plaza - The paved that will extend the existing plaza space to further enhance the 1st Street plaza area as a gathering spot in the center of town.

• A solar pergola structure. Solar panels on top of the pergola will help power the plaza and the structure, along with accompanying trees, will offer shade.

• The installation of public art.

• Closing a section of 1st Street to vehicles to create a pedestrian walkway. As proposed, the northern-most section of 1st Street would be closed to create a pedestrian walkway, allowing additional space for outdoor tables, open markets, and events.