St. Charles plan commissioners receptive to Pheasant Run Mega Center redevelopment plans

St. Charles plan commissioners are reacting favorably to McGrath Honda of St. Charles’ redevelopment plans for the former Pheasant Run Mega Center.

At their meeting Tuesday, commissioners reviewed concept plans for the project. The St. Charles City Council last year approved a $5.2 million incentive so McGrath Honda of St. Charles can expand and relocate to the site.

“I appreciate the density that you guys are bringing to the site,” commissioner Jeffrey Funke said. “It’s going to be a nice gateway to the city.”

Commissioner Laura Macklin-Purdy agreed.

“I think that it’s an appropriate use for the entry way into St. Charles on the east side,” she said. “If it’s done correctly, it could very attractive and very pleasant.”

Other commissioners made similar comments. Gary McGrath, the president and owner of McGrath Honda of St. Charles, currently located at 1411 E. Main St., plans to turn the western portion of the 12-acre site into a 50,000-plus square foot dealership and service facility that will use 500 of the 800 available parking spaces.

McGrath Honda also has a contract to purchase approximately eight acres just east of the site from the DuPage Airport Authority. As Peter Bazos, attorney for McGrath told plan commissioners, the majority of the Mega Center building will be preserved.

“Part of it is going to be demolished, but most of it is going to be preserved,” Bazos said. “A new front is going to be put on a showroom and other site improvements are going to be made.”

The new dealership will also accommodate dog owners. Two dog parks are included in the project.

“We feel that will be a real plus,” McGrath said. “More and more of our customers bring their dogs with them,” McGrath said.

As part of the project, McGrath plans to purchase a franchise for another auto dealership.

“The whip cream on the cake would be if he could find yet a third dealership for parcel three,” Bazos said.

Bazos said he feel the project fits the vision set forth in the city’s comprehensive plan.

“It’s the revitalization of a under utilized and frankly, antiquated area,” he said.

McGrath told plan commissioners the new site would give the dealership much needed room to grow.

“We’re just buried at our current site,” he said. “I do think with a project like this, we can approach 500 cars a month. We currently are the second largest dealer in the Chicago area. And I think with this facility, we can be the largest dealer in the Northern Chicago Indiana market.”

Pheasant Run Resort closed its doors March 1 following a failed attempt to auction off the resort. It had first opened in February 1963 and was annexed by the city in 1965. The final bid to purchase the resort was $6 million, which did not meet the minimum selling price established by the seller. The auction did not include the sale of the Mega Center or a 18-hole golf course.