The great thing about this is that it was an alderman dealing with the Mayor to ensure that money is wisely spent (revenue from parks spent on parks) and not someone attempting to nickle and dime BJC. They have given and continue to give millions to the city (not counting added earning tax, etc. etc. etc. etc.).
I agree with this assement. Politics was used to increase the value add to North city, which in this case may be OK. I wish they would have worked this out before, rather than keeping BJC in a tizzy.
- 8,912
Sounds great... I wonder how bjc plans to use the new space? a new tower?
Well, if some back-room dealing is what it took. At least this way there looks to be some commitment to parks and activities on the north side. Let's hope it can be put to smart use.
Tysalpha wrote:Well, if some back-room dealing is what it took. At least this way there looks to be some commitment to parks and activities on the north side. Let's hope it can be put to smart use.
Is any of that legal however? The alderman bargaining. Just curious.
- 11K
At an event in the CWE tonight Alderman Roddy spoke at length about the deal. He did not mention the now-reported possible compromise so I assume that he did not know about it. What he did say:
- He made it a point to thank those who were opposed to the original deal, saying that their opposition resulted in a much better deal for the city. He did make a distinction between those willing to work towards a better deal and those who were, are, and will be opposed to any deal.
- Roughly 15% of 17th Ward residents are employed by BJC/Wash U.
- BJC is the largest employer of African Americans in St. Louis City.
- BJC has been responsible for saving the Forest Park Hotel, building the Adams Community Center (and has just pledged $1.5M to establish programs etc at the center - which will soon be administered by the Boys and Girls Club), many homes on Laclede, etc. etc. etc.
- He mentioned a poll done recently showing ~60% support for the BJC deal (I didn't get a chance to ask more about this).
- Net change in greenspace for FP will change by less than 9 acres because the new Kingshighway/40 interchange will be considerably smaller.
The event was for Lewis Reed - he will be at La Dolce Via (Arco/Taylor) at 5:30pm this coming Monday as part of a citywide tour (he'll be at 6 North at 7pm).
- He made it a point to thank those who were opposed to the original deal, saying that their opposition resulted in a much better deal for the city. He did make a distinction between those willing to work towards a better deal and those who were, are, and will be opposed to any deal.
- Roughly 15% of 17th Ward residents are employed by BJC/Wash U.
- BJC is the largest employer of African Americans in St. Louis City.
- BJC has been responsible for saving the Forest Park Hotel, building the Adams Community Center (and has just pledged $1.5M to establish programs etc at the center - which will soon be administered by the Boys and Girls Club), many homes on Laclede, etc. etc. etc.
- He mentioned a poll done recently showing ~60% support for the BJC deal (I didn't get a chance to ask more about this).
- Net change in greenspace for FP will change by less than 9 acres because the new Kingshighway/40 interchange will be considerably smaller.
The event was for Lewis Reed - he will be at La Dolce Via (Arco/Taylor) at 5:30pm this coming Monday as part of a citywide tour (he'll be at 6 North at 7pm).
bry456 wrote:Tysalpha wrote:Well, if some back-room dealing is what it took. At least this way there looks to be some commitment to parks and activities on the north side. Let's hope it can be put to smart use.
Is any of that legal however? The alderman bargaining. Just curious.
My guess is that it is when the money is going to things for citizens (parks, improvement programs); but if it were going to campaigns, definitely not.
I'm no policy or legal expert, though. I'm sure other people here can speak better about that aspect.
Grover wrote:- He made it a point to thank those who were opposed to the original deal, saying that their opposition resulted in a much better deal for the city. He did make a distinction between those willing to work towards a better deal and those who were, are, and will be opposed to any deal.
Good for him. There is a difference between those who want the best deal for the city / their neighborhood, and those who just enjoy being obstructionists. The more this distinction can be called out in controversial deals, the more likely the decision-makers and the media (maybe) can rise above the rhetoric. (Hello IDOT and MODOT--I'm talking to you!)
- Net change in greenspace for FP will change by less than 9 acres because the new Kingshighway/40 interchange will be considerably smaller.
Grover, I know you've mentioned the use of the BJC-site park, before, though. Any chance that some of the land repurposed from the Kingshighway interchange or the site near the old Laclede gasometer could be turned into a park? Seems like that would be a fair shake for the FPSE area.
- 11K
Any chance that some of the land repurposed from the Kingshighway interchange or the site near the old Laclede gasometer could be turned into a park? Seems like that would be a fair shake for the FPSE area.
I have heard (though I can't remember from whom) that the north side of the 4300 block of Chouteau (just east of the gasometer) could become a park if the BJC deal goes through. My impression is that part of the money the city would have for other city parks - acquiring greenspace could be used for this. There is a building on the corner, but the rest of the block is vacant.
All good news.
The most interesting part to me is the pledge to create mini-hospital north of Delmar. Anyone have any thoughts on where it should go?
The most interesting part to me is the pledge to create mini-hospital north of Delmar. Anyone have any thoughts on where it should go?
- 10K
JMedwick wrote:All good news.
The most interesting part to me is the pledge to create mini-hospital north of Delmar. Anyone have any thoughts on where it should go?
I guess the old ConnectCare hospital on Delmar is too close to the main BJC campus?
^ I would say so. While I agree it would be a great locaiton, something north of MLK Jr would be best. Maybe something near the location of a potential metrolink stop at Natural Bridge and Goodfellow or a stop along Newstead in the Ville?
Putting it on MLK somewhere in the immediate area of Homer G would send a nice symbolic message to the neighborhood up there.
Some type of trauma/emergency center on the northside would probably serve as a huge relief valve for the BJC emergency room.
According to the St. Louis American BJC is planning a $1.5-billion development.
Source
"Another benefit to the black community and St. Louis in general would be business and employment opportunities created by the $1.5 billion development that is planned by BJH.
The project is subject to the mayor’s executive order that calls for inclusion of 25 percent minority-owned and 5 percent women-owned business enterprises."
Source
- 10K
^
Nice!
What do you think about this plan now, Carla?
Can this get approved without having to go to a public vote?
Nice!
What do you think about this plan now, Carla?
Can this get approved without having to go to a public vote?
- 476
1.5 bil eh? I figured it would be this size since they're committed to $100 million over the next 50 years leasing the land.
- 11K
Can this get approved without having to go to a public vote?
From the Post-Dispatch:
Green has requested a special Estimate Board meeting Friday to detail the proposed changes. At the meeting, the board could give preliminary approval to the park-leasing plan.
I believe that this can/will go through without a "public vote." I think the Estimate Board was the last hurdle. This should be approved before the vote on the parks amendment.
By the way: $1.5 Billion
with a "B" 
I am willing to bet the development will be for a new hospital addition and the Shriners Hospital project.
I agree. It is clear that the existing main Barnes buildings are old and for a top of the line hospital, they could use some new structures. There have been rumblings for the past 3 or more years of tearing down Queeny. That is what makes the corner property so important. They can keep the existing buildings open while building new structures right across the street. Makes for an easy move and then for an easy choice about what to do with the old hospital buildings.
^ And thus the perpetual construction at BJC continues. Ok it's a small price to pay, but really -- when is the last time you've driven north on Kingshighway from 64/40 and NOT seen the right 1 or 2 lanes closed for hospital construction?
- 1,768
^Awesome. More cranes, more jobs, more stability, and the concentric development circle of the west end spirals further and further away.
- 8,912
Holy hell...what that heck will they do with 1.5billion...? Oh to be a fly on the wall