Pretty interesting article about a part of town that isn't usually talked about. It compares the strip to the Grove before it got hot. A lot to like in the area.
^ I believe Post Dispatch featured one of the businesses making a go of it down there but also struggling with industrial smells. I think you got some more challenges versus the Grove from an area that still has a definite industrial presence which is not a bad thing either or something that can bring jobs to the area and support businesses.
The last time I was in the area noticed Green Streets new spec light industrial space which is not too far believe.
I figured this could warrant some discussion here. Really think that this is one of the most important stretches of buildings on the whole Carondelet Strip.
As I have said before I think the greatest hindrance to this part of the city is its leadership. Our Alderman, CCBF, South Broadway Business association and larger property owners are people without vision or understanding of how important our built environment is. Because of them we have lost so many important structures over the past decade with no sign of stopping. We need neighborhood leaders that will fight for this amazing neighborhood.
^How do we hold people responsible when they simply allow their buildings to deteriorate? Can we slap them with enough fines the city ends up with them and auctions them off again in a tax forfeiture? (I assume he's actually paying his property taxes.) Can he be taxed for decreased assessments resulting from his property damaging assessments throughout the area? This sort of thing is so (McKee) rampant. Particularly in some (McKee) neighborhoods.
^ yeah... i think the city needs to get tougher on commercial property owners and absentee residential owners re fines and litigation. (i believe the BOA recently passed such a bill but can't recall the number). in addition to unpaid property taxes, the city should be able to reclaim if violations persist for an extended period of time. and any sales of properties in poor condition should be mediated by the city contingent upon the buyer having a plan/financing to at least stabilize. it's not going to make things any worse for the city, which ends up having to maintain or demolish properties owned by these absentee-ists/opportunists anyway.
given the level of poverty in the city, enforcement against residential owners and grandfathered, lower-income commercial owners should probably be more fluid. perhaps some kind of income-based assistance program could be set up, similar to the fund established by prop NS. but the city can't indefinitely prop up property owners that can't maintain their properties.
this is another reason why we need more new, low-income housing in the city (a la Habitat for Humanity)--so that those who can't afford to maintain a 100+ year old brick home have other options.
^ ah, so it's a change in MO law and not a board bill. yeah, the big problem with this is that most city residents are going to be reluctant to sue (and rightly so) due to litigation costs and fear of counter-suits. i don't see this making much of a difference. the city needs to throw its weight behind the efforts.
I have no idea if there is a demo in the near future, I just walked around the properties on this block recently and don't see a path forward without an owner with a lot of $ and will to invest/rebuild. Obviously, it doesn't look good. Not trying to stir the pot or anything, but my gut tells me Broadway is going to struggle over the next 20 years.
^I wish I could disagree with you. It's an area with a lot of potential and I think money could go farther there than a lot of other neighborhoods in town, but . . . there's a lot of vacancy. And flooding isn't helping.
fwiw, while this obviously is under threat I believe demo still needs to be approved by the city and the alderwomen tweeted she is certain the owner would sell for $100,000. Hopefully it finds a new life.
Stopped into Bodach's to pick up a couple video games this week. Which, check it out if you're into vintage video games, consoles, card games, etc.
One of the guys said it's condemned and the person who owns it wants to tear it down. I guess permits haven't been issued? At any rate, anyone have a status update on this? I hadn't been down this way in a while and this would be a massive loss for this stretch.
It's such a sad strip of buildings. I hope that someone can come in and save them, but every month that goes by without a plan in place, the closer this gets to collapsing on its own.
i'm sure the owner is asking for reasonable compensation because he cares about the city's architectural heritage and future, and totally isn't speculating on collapse so he can sell to QuickTrip and continue the long tradition of exurban Boomers exploiting and destroying the city for personal enrichment.
I think they just moved there a couple months ago.
Either way, I read numbers earlier in the thread. Is there a listing for these? Is there an asking price? I love the buildings along this strip with the balconies and what not. Another long strip is starting to look in bad shape. On the west side of Broadway. Off-white brick.
Seems like there was some momentum here a couple years ago with the Livery and a handful of other joints.
