urbanSTL

Actively being worked on?



Over the last few weeks, work on this building appears to have stalled completely. First the dumpsters were gone, then the workers and porta-johns, and now the trucks. Finally this morning, there wasn't a single piece of equipment or person in the vicinity, save for the chain link fence hammered into Pine and 8th streets.



I wonder if they're going to re-open the lanes of traffic and allow the use of the Metrolink entrance again, or leave the fence up so that the crumbling building doesn't hit pedestrians, a la the Century before its demolition.

OK, actively being worked on may be a stretch, but it is an active construction zone, so don't enter it.

MattnSTL wrote:OK, actively being worked on may be a stretch, but it is an active construction zone, so don't enter it.

Oh yea, I'm not disagreeing with you there. It's just sad that the project seemed to be going pretty full-bore and now it's going to sit as an abandoned building for who-knows-how-long....and closing off Metrolink and street access during that time.

I'd really like to see the Metro access opened up, even during real construction.The street is not that big of a deal to me since it is one way, right now at least, but I would think transit would be something Pyramid would want to encourage.

MattnSTL wrote:I would think transit would be something Pyramid would want to encourage.

But they won't. They aren't big picture thinkers. That would take extra effort that won't yeild them an immediate return.

^ Bitter, party of one...

Maybe. But I haven't seen any evidence to the contrary.

BL211 wrote:
But they won't. They aren't big picture thinkers. That would take extra effort that won't yeild them an immediate return.

You are way off on this one. You obviously haven't spent much time with Steffen or O'leary.

Well, that's true, but not for lack of trying. I have multiple calls into Matt but he hasn't responded.

Big picture thinkers, just not always the fastest to get that vision of the paper and into physical being. Although you could say that about a lot of developers around here.

BL211 wrote:Well, that's true, but not for lack of trying. I have multiple calls into Matt but he hasn't responded.

He doesn't prefer the phone. He's more of an email person.

I've tried that too.

Those lawyers, what can I tell ya

A worker was sawing off the fence posts around the Arcade this morning. So the good news is that Metrolink access should be available again. The bad news is the Arcade building will remain indefinitely abandoned, a big eyesore on this corner.

Do you mean the entire fence, or just providing Metro access?



Indefinitely abandoned is a little harsh, since pre-sales are still going on. Just another sign of the slowdown, not a cancellation.

MattnSTL wrote:Do you mean the entire fence, or just providing Metro access?



Indefinitely abandoned is a little harsh, since pre-sales are still going on. Just another sign of the slowdown, not a cancellation.

He had finished about four of them when I passed. I'll check this afternoon when I go home.



EDIT: Nothing new..still traffic cones on top of the lopped-off fence posts, and the fence is sort of rolled back. Station entrance is not open. I was thinking, though, opening the entrance would be kind of pointless with the sidewalks blocked from both directions. So it would probably be all-or-nothing as far as removing the fence.



I noticed the sales office still open when I walked through Paul Brown. I'd be really concerned about committing to a unit when there's no work going on. But if they can sell, more power to them.



That is such a big building -- both it an the Syndicate Trust would make a huge difference to what is the most urban couple blocks downtown, and what should be the most vibrant and pedestrian-friendly.

If you'd like to sneak a peek at the Arcade, the coverings have been removed from the front door on Olive, and you can see inside. It's pretty amazing. It makes me wonder how such a great building could ever be abandonded like that. Having the arcade refurbished will be incredible.

whats the future of this building with pyramid's situation?

I think the better question is, "What exactly is Pyramid's situation?" Once you start speculating on speculations, you're really speculating.

innov8ion wrote:I think the better question is, "What exactly is Pyramid's situation?" Once you start speculating on speculations, you're really speculating.

Interesting speculation...

As I walked by the Arcade building today, I noticed they were taking down thw buckhoist off the side of the building. Never a good sign.

Well, the good news is that Pyramid addressed the roof/water issues as well as the crumbling parapet wall situation. The building should be able to protect itself from the elements (rain, hobos, etc) over the next few yrs.

Doug wrote:Once the recession ends someone else will continue these projects. They are still in demand. The problem is people can't get loans to buy a unit, thus banks aren't going to issue loans for redevelopment. Once the money market enters a better position that will all change.

Yes, but whose fault is it? It must be somebody's fault?!?