ST. CHARLES, Mo. — A groundbreaking ceremony on the construction of St. Charles’ approximate $85 million City Centre Complex took place Tuesday.

Voters recently passed a no tax-increase bond issue to pay for the project.

The former American Car Foundry (ACF) is the site of the City Centre Complex, or known as C3, which will include a new city hall, historical society, senior center, rec plex, an indoor farmers market, food court, an office for Sister Cities International, an arts and culture center, restaurant incubators and more.

“When we said $85 million, a lot of people couldn’t swallow for a week after that because we just don’t have that kind of bond issue in St. Charles,” Mayor Dan Borgmeyer said.

“But the people stepped up. They understood the need going into the future … It's about kids and grandkids. And I think this will be a wonderful place to live.”

The complex will be roughly 72,000 square feet. Borgmeyer mentioned there will be “plenty of parking” included in the project and that the area will remain a safe place for residents and visitors.

Additionally, Borgmeyer said Main Street will be extended to connect to Lawrence Street into Frenchtown.

The City made an agreement with Boeing to bring 800,000 cubic yards of dirt from the airport to raise the entire riverfront, according to Borgmeyer.

He mentioned this will raise the area from Page and all the way back out of the flood plain.  

“St. Charles was built looking in from the river. The real opportunity is for St. Charles to continue looking out on the river,” he said.

The City now owns part of the former American Car Foundry with James Unger still owning the rest of the site on the east side, bordering the Katy Trail.

“I’m working with a developer and we expect to make this a premier project for all the citizens,” Unger said.

He mentioned he spent most of his career running ACF Industries and has owned the buildings for 40 years, which are part of The National Register of Historic Places.

The oldest building on the property dates back to the early 1900s.

“I look forward to working with the city council and we want to make this a project that everyone can be proud of,” Unger said.

Other speakers were Robert Mangelsdorf, with ACF Revitalization.