Funny, I didn't think new construction would already be boarded. But maybe these overlooked homeowners are already preparing for the future views of stripmall loading docks, garish lighting and acres of litter-strewn asphalt.
- 710
this angers me to no end; this sh*t wouldnt be tolerated in *******. (off topic rant) this region doesnt know what it has and could have.(/off topic rant)
funny thing is, visionless urban stripmall developers are shafting themselves applying a quasi-obsolete and obviously inappropriate model. maybe i ought to start investing in urban (pedestrian friendly, parking lot in back or at least side) construction in creve coeur.
funny thing is, visionless urban stripmall developers are shafting themselves applying a quasi-obsolete and obviously inappropriate model. maybe i ought to start investing in urban (pedestrian friendly, parking lot in back or at least side) construction in creve coeur.
Bastiat wrote:
Did you expect them to pour money into something that could be snatched away at the government/developer's whim? You won't see any substantial investment in this area until the blight designation is lifted.
I'll admit that I know little of the subject, but don't landlords receive government subsidies to charge low rent to low income renters ? If this is the case, why would they go through the hassle of kicking out the present renters, improving their buildings, losing their subsidies, and then having to find higher income renters for what would probably be a net financial loss?
These landlords from O'Fallon or wherever use these buildings as their cash cows and couldn't care less what state they are in because they don't have to live next to them. Save for two or three buildings on BH most look like they are on the verge of falling down, and some have stairs that are falling down. In most cases, blight isn't exactly inaccurate in describing these buildings.
So if the soulless landlords have no incentive to improve Bohemian Hill, and the poor renters are helpless to improve Bohemian Hill, what exactly besides eminent domain will be the catalyst for the improvement of Bohemian Hill?
SoulardD wrote:
I'll admit that I know little of the subject
Save for two or three buildings on BH most look like they are on the verge of falling down...... In most cases, blight isn't exactly inaccurate in describing these buildings.
Sorry, but you are wrong. None are on the verge of falling down. many need maintenance, but I can't think of any that appear to be structurally un-sound.
what exactly besides eminent domain will be the catalyst for the improvement of Bohemian Hill?
Eminent Domain in this case was not threatened for the purpose of taking the properties and selling them to a developer who would re-hab and IMPROVE them. If used, the city was going to turn over the properties to the wrecking ball so that the developer could build condo's and offices. The strip mall next door speaks to how much sensitivity those designs would have had to their historic surroundings. Improving and bulldozing are different things.
TGE-ATW wrote:
Sorry, but you are wrong. None are on the verge of falling down. many need maintenance, but I can't think of any that appear to be structurally un-sound.
OK, so most are structurally sound. I see them everyday, they look horrible. I agree they shouldn't be bulldozed for a strip mall, but there are few things that would look worse than the area currently does.
TGE-ATW wrote:
Sorry. Many need maintenence, appear to be structurally un-sound.
Look, I can butcher your quotes, too.
SoulardD wrote:Bastiat wrote:
Did you expect them to pour money into something that could be snatched away at the government/developer's whim? You won't see any substantial investment in this area until the blight designation is lifted.
I'll admit that I know little of the subject, but don't landlords receive government subsidies to charge low rent to low income renters ? If this is the case, why would they go through the hassle of kicking out the present renters, improving their buildings, losing their subsidies, and then having to find higher income renters for what would probably be a net financial loss?
These landlords from O'Fallon or wherever use these buildings as their cash cows and couldn't care less what state they are in because they don't have to live next to them. Save for two or three buildings on BH most look like they are on the verge of falling down, and some have stairs that are falling down. In most cases, blight isn't exactly inaccurate in describing these buildings.
So if the soulless landlords have no incentive to improve Bohemian Hill, and the poor renters are helpless to improve Bohemian Hill, what exactly besides eminent domain will be the catalyst for the improvement of Bohemian Hill?
If you are correct about the subsidies issue (which wouldn't suprise me), wouldn't the blame fall on the government? End subsidies and you end the problem of these properties being kept at subpar standard. In order to earn as much as the he did with the subsidies, the landlord would have to fix up the buildings to command a rent equal to the previous low rent + subsidies.
Also, while we're at it, let's get rid of all Section 8 and HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Destruction) housing.
- 11K
OK, so most are structurally sound. I see them everyday, they look horrible. I agree they shouldn't be bulldozed for a strip mall, but there are few things that would look worse than the area currently does.
It's good to be honest. I'm not convinced that if/when the ED tag is removed from this area that development will spring up. If the current residents/landlords seem to have at least temporarily succeeded in thwarting ED, surely a few more new homes would ensure that ED would politically be off the table. I think the truth is that there's no one who wants to build on land surrounded by Interstates and isolated from adjacent neighborhoods.
SoulardD wrote:TGE-ATW wrote:
Sorry, but you are wrong. None are on the verge of falling down. many need maintenance, but I can't think of any that appear to be structurally un-sound.
OK, so most are structurally sound. I see them everyday, they look horrible. I agree they shouldn't be bulldozed for a strip mall, but there are few things that would look worse than the area currently does.
TGE-ATW wrote:
Sorry. Many need maintenence, appear to be structurally un-sound.
Look, I can butcher your quotes, too.
I didn't mean to butcher your quote. I just wanted to manipulate it so it was 1. Shorter, and 2. made it look like you didn't know what you were talking about.
Look, I know that some of them look bad, but I see potential there. Yes, some of them are lagging behind their neighbors in Soulard and LF Square, but there are some really magnificent buildings in there as well, especially along Tucker. I like that this conversation has started again, and I especially like that it seems to be focusing on how to help these homes realize their potential. Unfortunately, so much is up in the air at this point. With the blighted status in place, it would be folly to invest money to upgrade them, and selling them for a flip re-hab would be very difficult. Also, it still remains to be seen how the issue of a non-descript strip-mall sidewall facing the houses along Soulard Street will be resolved. This impedes development of the homes as well. I hate to speculate too much, but it would be a good move on Gilded Age's part if they made the view from Soulard as ugly as possible, thereby devaluing the homes that face it and making them easier to acquire through purchase.
Yesterday I was looking at Citizen Service Bureau complaints/work orders on the properties in question. A very basic/simple place to start is by filing complaints for exterior code violations, trash, weeds, derelict cars, etc... It really does work. Also, the property on the corner of 12th and Soulard still doesn't appear to be in court. My understanding is that the residents of the area can start the process with the city. We've done it on two properties in my area.
- 516
Grover wrote:OK, so most are structurally sound. I see them everyday, they look horrible. I agree they shouldn't be bulldozed for a strip mall, but there are few things that would look worse than the area currently does.
It's good to be honest. I'm not convinced that if/when the ED tag is removed from this area that development will spring up. If the current residents/landlords seem to have at least temporarily succeeded in thwarting ED, surely a few more new homes would ensure that ED would politically be off the table. I think the truth is that there's no one who wants to build on land surrounded by Interstates and isolated from adjacent neighborhoods.
You're right. From a land use perspective the area does seem best suited for neighborhood commercial.
- 10K
From MayorSlay.com's latest development update:
Link
The Planning Commission also approved a new zoning designation for the Georgian Square development, from “A”—Single Family to “H”—Area Commercial. This rezoning sets the stage for the development of an office and retail complex in the area bounded by Lafayette, 13th Street, the Truman Parkway and I-55. The Land Clearance Authority and the Land Reutilization Authority now own all of the property in this area with the exception of the MoDOT property and will sell this property to Gilded Age for the development. The MoDOT property included in the development will be made available to Gilded Age following the reconfiguration of the I-55/Tucker/Gravois exit ramp so that the ramp will connect directly with the Truman Parkway.
Link
Office and Retail? I thought Phase 1 was just going to be a 'City Market' Grocery Store and a Walgreens?
Sounds like big box to me.
Mayor Slay's Site wrote:At the same meeting, the Commission also approved a language change that will allow the development of retail and office structures in excess of 7,000 sq. ft. in “H”—Area Commercial zoning districts located within 1,500 feet of an interstate highway or highway access ramp. Currently, the City’s zoning codes do not permit the development of any office or retail structure in excess of 7,000 sq. ft. as a “use by right” except in the “I”—Central Business, “J”—Industrial, or “K”—Unrestricted zoning districts. This change to the language for the “H” district will make it easier to attract new, planned larger-scale retail developments —- and the stores we want to fill them — to the City.
Sounds like big box to me.
- 10K
I guess this is the old gas station at Tucker and Lafayette:
Link
Mo. EIERA awards Red Brick $15,000
St. Louis Business Journal
The Missouri Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority (EIERA) said Monday that it awarded $15,000 to St. Louis-based Red Brick Community Land Trust to address petroleum-related contamination at a brownfield site in Soulard.
The Missouri EIERA staff will make the presentation to the Red Brick Community Land Trust in a public ceremony July 19 at the property located at 1805 S. Tucker St., in St. Louis.
The petroleum-related contamination cleanup will enable a residential development to proceed on property in the Bohemian Hill neighborhood, part of the Soulard area. The trust was established in 2001 as a non-profit organization that secures long-term affordable housing for low-income residents in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Link
- 1,610
^One block south, or the SW corner of Soulard and Tucker.
From the South Side Journal- 18 July:
Read more
$12.2 million in TIF money expected for shopping center
Aldermen plan final action Friday (by Jim Merkel)
The city is about to approve $12.2 million in tax increment financing for the planned 80,000-square-foot Georgian Square shopping center on Lafayette Avenue west of Tucker Boulevard.
The Board of Aldermen's Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee is set to review bills calling for the TIF financing for the center at a meeting at 9 a.m. today in Room 208 of City Hall.
The bill will come up briefly at a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen at 10 a.m. today. Then it is set for final votes at Friday's meeting of the Board of Aldermen, the last before the summer break.
Approval is almost a certainty. Under the unwritten "aldermanic courtesy," aldermen almost always approve bills introduced by other aldermen dealing with action within their wards.
Costing $32.9 million, including the $12.2 million in TIF financing, the six-acre center will be located between 13th Street, Lafayette Avenue, the Interstate 55 exit and Interstate 44. Its six acres will include a Walgreens, a 33,500-square-foot City Market specialty grocery store and other stores.
Alderman Phyllis Young, D-7th Ward, who represents the area of the shopping center and introduced the TIF legislation, said the TIF was needed to provide enough money for the shopping center.
Read more
I don't see why a TIF is necessary for this development to happen? I also find it infuriating that the article contains no explanations of anything.
Seriously,
how about some plans guys???
"It will blend very well with the architecture of the neighborhood."
Prove it.
how about some plans guys???
"It will blend very well with the architecture of the neighborhood."
Prove it.
If you look at their renderings, it has all the proper retro cues to fit in the neighborhood. Just ignore the giant parking lot in the front and there you go.
Good luck getting Guilded Age to put the parking lot in back, I have asked and got a pretty lame excuse about it would be uneconomical. I seriously doubt it costs that much more to put a parking lot in back, the streets are aligned perfectly for such an arrangement.
Good luck getting Guilded Age to put the parking lot in back, I have asked and got a pretty lame excuse about it would be uneconomical. I seriously doubt it costs that much more to put a parking lot in back, the streets are aligned perfectly for such an arrangement.
That horse has been beaten to a pulp in this thread since last winter. The renderings to which you refer are very old at this point, and, according to a BJ article that I don't have the energy to find, are not the "official" plans, nor are they "set in stone." I have no doubt that the parking lot will stay as the focal point for the development, but some new plans should be forthcoming, especially now that the public is paying for the damn thing.
- 5,433
Funny how the suburbs (Creve Coeur, Chesterfield, Shiloh, etc.) are working to create downtowns out of thin air, while city leaders are content to suburbanize the city and make our urban neighborhoods look more like Beautiful Downtown Ballwin. 
I sincerely hope that aldermanic courtesy dies long before I do. It's one of the things that's really holding back this city.
However, I'm not sure it matters. It isn't like we have any aldermen consistently demanding more appropriate developments for our urban neighborhoods.
I sincerely hope that aldermanic courtesy dies long before I do. It's one of the things that's really holding back this city.
However, I'm not sure it matters. It isn't like we have any aldermen consistently demanding more appropriate developments for our urban neighborhoods.
- 2,005
St. Louis City Government's misson statement: "We make the mundane possible!"
Looks like some action on the site... and a new rendering:
![]()
![]()
Look at the left side of the rendering, it looks like there'll be a couple buildings that front the street, which is good. Also look at the new buildings on the far left, between 14th and 13th streets. I really hope this happens.
![]()
Unfortunately, it looks like the City Market will be setback with a huge parking lot thinly masked in this rendering by trees, a brick wall, and a bus stop.
![]()
Looks like they're about to start work soon.
![]()
Look at the left side of the rendering, it looks like there'll be a couple buildings that front the street, which is good. Also look at the new buildings on the far left, between 14th and 13th streets. I really hope this happens.
Unfortunately, it looks like the City Market will be setback with a huge parking lot thinly masked in this rendering by trees, a brick wall, and a bus stop.
Looks like they're about to start work soon.
