urbanSTL

^ and imagine if a south side metrolink link followed Chouteau from downtown to FPSE and then south.

JMedwick wrote:

Grover wrote:^ and imagine if a south side metrolink link followed Chouteau from downtown to FPSE and then south.

I would imagine it wouldn't make a ton of difference. Remember, the existing metrolink mainline already runs through that same corridor.

Whatever - the two lines would rock. Development would be further spurred along Chouteau where there is lots and lots of empty land. This would also make the area more attractive to retail and businesses as there would be easy access by South City residents/commuters. (And I just think it would be cool!)

My favorite project resurfaces. I just hope I'm alive to see it happen.

shinpickle wrote:HOK has removed all their renderings and press releases linked to earlier in the thread, it was under the services section.



who could argue with redeveloping this space. anyone have any links to the renderings still?

there are more renderings in the mega projects thread.



EDIT: ooops, I guess not anymore

Anybody out there think that the Choteau's Pond will spur development into outerlying neighborhoods? I would assume the Choteau area will benefit, but it would remain to be seen, whether or not that positive energy would spur development on the otherside of HWY 44.



I own a building in McKinley Heights on Russell. I am hoping that all of this development will have a positive effect on other neighborhoods in the area. Maybe it will attract a developer to put something on the old Foodland site that is currently vacant. We can only hope!!!!!

Does anyone have any idea on what types of environmental impact studies have been done on this project? I can imagine that after all these years of hosting rail yards and parking lots the cleanup would be extensive.

crbswiss wrote:Does anyone have any idea on what types of environmental impact studies have been done on this project? I can imagine that after all these years of hosting rail yards and parking lots the cleanup would be extensive.

Not to mention all that time before that...

crbswiss wrote:Does anyone have any idea on what types of environmental impact studies have been done on this project? I can imagine that after all these years of hosting rail yards and parking lots the cleanup would be extensive.

I thought environmental impact studies concerned the potential negative impact of a project - I'd imagine that replacing a pond and natural water system would be beneficial. But I see your point - maybe more fed dollars would come for the clean-up?

Why are we so excited by putting a giant expanse of green space on the southside of downtown. We already have a giant stretch of green space on the eastern edge and down the middle. Why don't we focus on getting those right first?



Raising or burying the tracks that would remain, and extending the street grid over this depressed section makes alot of sense to me. But I guess the dream of another faux environment is pretty alluring.

mcg wrote:Why are we so excited by putting a giant expanse of green space on the southside of downtown. We already have a giant stretch of green space on the eastern edge and down the middle. Why don't we focus on getting those right first?



Raising or burying the tracks that would remain, and extending the street grid over this depresse section makes alot of sense to me. But I guess the dream of another feaux environment is pretty alluring.

It's not green space - it's blue! (or more correctly probably brown-ish)

I see your point, but I don't think the eastern Mill Creek Valley, with all of its brownfields, RR tracks, Industrial, not to mention massive sewer trunk line, will ever be the vibrant urban neighborhood it was before the decay and clearance of the mid 20th century. The fact is, it is an underutilized industrial corridor that effectively severs the vibrant south side from downtown. I think that solid urban development along its borders (ie Chouteau) and the restoration of a major water feature in the valley with a well-planned park is a very good use for this space. I think that, with appropriate paths and bridges, it will provide a vital link from the near south side to downtown. I know now that I don't like to ride my bike down to the stadium from Compton Hill because the various overpasses, as well as Tucker and Broadway etc are too busy and not bike friendly. Also, the industrial wasteland is essentially an empty, ugly, dangerous barrier that one must cross in order to travel between the two spheres of activity.

TGE-ATW wrote:I see your point, but I don't think the eastern Mill Creek Valley, with all of its brownfields, RR tracks, Industrial, not to mention massive sewer trunk line, will ever be the vibrant urban neighborhood it was before the decay and clearance of the mid 20th century.

Who's saying that???



^ I don't think this will be a McCormack Baron project. They're involved but so are others and the money will come from a number of places.

This may have changed by now, but this came straight from an employee of McCormack Baron. The plans are being developed so that other developers are able to work around the lake. It is not meant to be just one developer working on the project.



I know that at least Great Rivers Greenway is working in partnership to get the lake developed. They own that huge surface lot just west of 7th St. There may be others as well. I imagine that this will be a big group of developers working if the lake gets built.



This may also be one of the few good uses of the DALATC in it's current form.

People are drawn to live by water. This gives St. Louis residents an opportunity to live by water. It's not a huge green space that we are all evisioning. It's a neighborhood built around a functional Pond/Lake.

crbswiss wrote:Just out of curiosity, what would happen to the new Multi-modal station if this project actually came to fruitition? Wouldn't the Amtrak lines be removed, or are only a portion of the Union Pacific lines to be relocated?

If you look closely at the rendering in the BJ, you can see an Amtrak train whizzing by just north of the lake.





Link

whats with the tower in the rendering... (right center) are there high tension wires down there?

What does it qualify for to recieve federal funds?



Brownfield?

Environmental somthing?

CDBG?

what's with the new tower in the left of the drawing as well? doesn't look like MW to me. Is there another plan out there floating around?

Easiest explanation would be Ballpark Village.



The other potential explanation is that in the original renderings there was a tower proposed for the parking area along the curve of the Metro tracks along Busch.



We should remember that these renderings are conceptual and by no means depicts a final product.

jlblues wrote:

crbswiss wrote:Just out of curiosity, what would happen to the new Multi-modal station if this project actually came to fruitition? Wouldn't the Amtrak lines be removed, or are only a portion of the Union Pacific lines to be relocated?

If you look closely at the rendering in the BJ, you can see an Amtrak train whizzing by just north of the lake.





Link

And it looks like there are new condo towers along the river at Chouteau's Landing, along with 3 giant bubbles. I'm guessing the bubbles are either Liquid Natural Gas containers to replace Praxis as a threat to Lafeyette Square, or a new Roberts project -- possibly in partnership with aliens who have perfected surface tension technology to allow completely clear condos.

..more likely the MacArthur bridge