Notice: Cortex Strategic Plan meeting @ Venture Cafe
May 19th
Havana Room
7pm-8pm
May 19th
Havana Room
7pm-8pm
Plan for a new "sensitive compartmented information facility" (aimed at geospatial tenants) office building on the SE corner of the Parkway and Sarah - 120,000 SF - maybe grows to 150,000 - Might start construction this year
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... 0#cxrecs_s
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... 0#cxrecs_s
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^Awesome. This building is going to be a huge asset for the region. Also, recognizing that there was zero private sector SCIF space outside the DC Metro Area nation-wide until the Globe Building came online, this would add-on with their SCIF space to make STL truly unique for secured space, one heck of a near-term competitive advantage. Plus, having a conference room wherein they'd have SCIF space that can hold 200 people - that's a real big deal y'all.
Anyone know what has happened to Cortex K? Thought that plan was very exciting.
https://www.cortexk.com/
Website says move-in Q1 2023. Don't see that happening now.
https://www.cortexk.com/
Website says move-in Q1 2023. Don't see that happening now.
On the TIF Commission July 13 meeting agenda is the scheduling of a hearing September 14 for the TIF for Cortex MX. Says 165 apts (20% at 80% AMI), 14,600 sq of office space, 1,987 sf ground level retail. $250k contribution to the affordable housing fund. New owner Keeley Properties. https://www.keeleyproperties.com
It is being held hostage by Alderwomen Tina Pihl.thestlguy wrote: ↑Jul 01, 2022Anyone know what has happened to Cortex K? Thought that plan was very exciting.
https://www.cortexk.com/
Website says move-in Q1 2023. Don't see that happening now.
Political support for St. Louis tech district wanes as key deadline approaches for TIF package
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... -top-story
This Pihl is in way over her f*cking head. She needs to be recalled. This takes the cake:
Utterly ridiculous.
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/gov ... -top-story
This Pihl is in way over her f*cking head. She needs to be recalled. This takes the cake:
She hates incentives but the developers that don’t even want to use them can’t get her to even answer emails or a phone call.Pihl was elected on a platform calling for incentive reform, but some developers who aren’t even seeking incentives have said she has been difficult to reach to help with routine matters such as variances. Pihl has said she needs more staff to handle a ward that has more development than most parts of the city.
Utterly ridiculous.
^ Was reading that article, claims she doesn't have enough time or staff to call these people back. Sounds like she is way in over her head.
^ Say what you want about old man Roddy but he got sh*t done and developers knew what to expect.
Pihl is a total shitshow.
Pihl is a total shitshow.
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Constantly, too. Good luck getting in touch with her about literally anything. Don’t remember if I mentioned this here yet or not but I did a lot of research/work on redistricting and even post redistricting, she was asking me where the maps were and what the maps were.
She is not competent in this role and it sounds like a number of other Aldermen know that too.
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She is not competent in this role and it sounds like a number of other Aldermen know that too.
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Let’s start an UrbanSTL PAC to support a candidate to run against Pihl. I will pitch in 10k. Yes. I’m serious.
Sound she is getting full of herself by her own response in the article.
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If we find ourselves a good urbanist who is not racist/sexist/corrupt count me in too. Not for 10k…but damn right I’ll donate and campaignSTLAPTS wrote:Let’s start an UrbanSTL PAC to support a candidate to run against Pihl. I will pitch in 10k. Yes. I’m serious.
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What's needed more so than money to win a ward election is a candidate willing to get out there, knock on doors, and put themselves out there. You can side with progressive or traditional ideology, and an have boatloads of money, but without actually putting in the work, it's a worthless bid.
But boy oh boy how great it is to see the criticisms of Tina Pihl come out.
But boy oh boy how great it is to see the criticisms of Tina Pihl come out.
What type of crap is this? Remove single-family houses and present building renovations and your ward has seen a drop in new, larger projects being proposed. It doesn't take much to meet with a developer and have your questions answered. If you can't handle that responsibility, then how can you handle anything else? Or does the developer need to be shaken down in order to "contribute" money to the affordable housing fund and/or her personal account to receive a meeting?Pihl has said she needs more staff to handle a ward that has more development than most parts of the city.
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My thoughts on Pihl have changed over time.
Initially, I wanted to give her a chance. I do believe that we needed incentive reform in St. Louis city.
But then it seemed to me that she came in heavy-handed. Now, I know she came in heavy-handed, yes, but also without a plan.
At this point, I consider her a logjam to development and improvement in the city and I can't stand her.
It will take me a while to figure out how seven buildings rotting along Kingshighway for two decades are better than what was just proposed.
Initially, I wanted to give her a chance. I do believe that we needed incentive reform in St. Louis city.
But then it seemed to me that she came in heavy-handed. Now, I know she came in heavy-handed, yes, but also without a plan.
At this point, I consider her a logjam to development and improvement in the city and I can't stand her.
It will take me a while to figure out how seven buildings rotting along Kingshighway for two decades are better than what was just proposed.
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If nothing else this is a solid example in the abolish aldermanic courtesy column. There should be simple, clear, and regular guidelines for how folks approach this. And this has been ongoing for, what, a couple of decades now? Talk about trying to kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
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I do think the practice of Aldermanic courtesy should be shot down, especially in the wake of Reed, Muhammad, and Boyd.
Variances should be sought if needed, but if they aren't needed, why does Tina Pihl get to pick who wins and who loses in her ward?
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Variances should be sought if needed, but if they aren't needed, why does Tina Pihl get to pick who wins and who loses in her ward?
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^ She doesn't. Variances have been needed. And the neighborhood association didn't support the K-way demo nor the Manchester infill (which it had no details on). Not saying things are going smoothly so far as that ward institutes a new system of development review and the neighborhood obviously has some things to work out, but I think a lot of these anti-Pihl comments are rather unfair. Here's what I think is a solid thread of the history...
Also, we need to keep in mind that this is a booming neighborhood that nevertheless saw its Black population decline by 33% last decade, nearly double the citywide Black loss of 17%. That's deeply inequitable. I know some/many people don't care about that but equitable development should be a primary area of concern for the aldermanic representative... anyway, I hope FPSE and the larger ward can become a good model for equitable development and strong community engagement.
Also, we need to keep in mind that this is a booming neighborhood that nevertheless saw its Black population decline by 33% last decade, nearly double the citywide Black loss of 17%. That's deeply inequitable. I know some/many people don't care about that but equitable development should be a primary area of concern for the aldermanic representative... anyway, I hope FPSE and the larger ward can become a good model for equitable development and strong community engagement.
She said Wednesday that she was caught off guard by the agency’s decision to hold the TIF hearing, too.
“I was not informed of this meeting by SLDC or the mayor’s administration, and I find that problematic,” Pihl said. “Had a concerned citizen not informed me about this meeting, I would not be able to have asked the questions I just asked.”
Probably was in her email inbox she apparently doesn’t read.
“I was not informed of this meeting by SLDC or the mayor’s administration, and I find that problematic,” Pihl said. “Had a concerned citizen not informed me about this meeting, I would not be able to have asked the questions I just asked.”
Probably was in her email inbox she apparently doesn’t read.
I also don’t get why it seems like an alderman needs involved in every decision. I’d guess some of these variances for smaller buildings, like a house, could easily be handled by whoever actually approves them. Those would be one less thing on her plate. I feel like she is getting way too in the weeds in things. Bigger things I understand more but I personally think if someone wants to build something incentive free that it should be fairly streamlined.
A question I have about all this is why does every single development need a variance? Are the zoning rules so extremely onerous that following the actual rules is all but impossible? Even after the form based codes put into place for the CWE & FPSE? Seems bad.
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In the Grove yes because of the Form Based Code and a lot of developers aren't really familiar with those yet, hell even people that know what a form based code is cant tell you what it actually is.PeterXCV wrote: ↑Jul 14, 2022A question I have about all this is why does every single development need a variance? Are the zoning rules so extremely onerous that following the actual rules is all but impossible? Even after the form based codes put into place for the CWE & FPSE? Seems bad.
This is correct. Zoning staff and Board of Adjustments have said that the CWE and FPSE Form Based Codes are more difficult to work through than anything else and almost every project requires a variance.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Jul 14, 2022In the Grove yes because of the Form Based Code and a lot of developers aren't really familiar with those yet, hell even people that know what a form based code is cant tell you what it actually is.PeterXCV wrote: ↑Jul 14, 2022A question I have about all this is why does every single development need a variance? Are the zoning rules so extremely onerous that following the actual rules is all but impossible? Even after the form based codes put into place for the CWE & FPSE? Seems bad.
Maybe the code needs updated so a variance isn’t needed for all projects?Sarah K wrote: ↑Jul 14, 2022This is correct. Zoning staff and Board of Adjustments have said that the CWE and FPSE Form Based Codes are more difficult to work through than anything else and almost every project requires a variance.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Jul 14, 2022In the Grove yes because of the Form Based Code and a lot of developers aren't really familiar with those yet, hell even people that know what a form based code is cant tell you what it actually is.PeterXCV wrote: ↑Jul 14, 2022A question I have about all this is why does every single development need a variance? Are the zoning rules so extremely onerous that following the actual rules is all but impossible? Even after the form based codes put into place for the CWE & FPSE? Seems bad.