The top of this building is visible from the Chouteau viaduct, and it actually fills a gap in the skyline when looking towards the CWE. I like the original rendering better. This almost gives Aventura some context.
Great to see this coming along so quickly. Can't wait for the new Metrolink station
Does anyone have recent pics of this area? It seems like it could see revitalization/development like wildfire if IKEA and the Wexford research area get going... with this many modern new buildings in the works, a smart developer would plan modern residential to accompany it.
chaifetz10 wrote:Does anyone have recent pics of this area? It seems like it could see revitalization/development like wildfire if IKEA and the Wexford research area get going... with this many modern new buildings in the works, a smart developer would plan modern residential to accompany it.
I can see the Federal Mogul redevelopment proposal being brought back to life at some point this summer. It seemed like a good fit/location for Target and their stores that utilitize underground parking (think Hampton Ave). Far enough away from Brentwood and Hampton Store yet picks up new Central corridor/Downtown residents. I think it would be far better than seeing a Walmart box store with a sea of surface parking as part of McKee's Northside 22nd street interchange or Bottleworks plans
chaifetz10 wrote:Does anyone have recent pics of this area? It seems like it could see revitalization/development like wildfire if IKEA and the Wexford research area get going... with this many modern new buildings in the works, a smart developer would plan modern residential to accompany it.
I'll try to snap tomorrow. I think work on the Wexford has also started.
with this many modern new buildings in the works, a smart developer would plan modern residential to accompany it.
People have noticed... there is already serious talk.
It would be interesting to see where CORTEX folks are at with there own thoughts/proposals for residential/commercial mixed use considering they have already included residential into the renderings. Would it be next phase? How much design work has been done? or is still conceptual? any discussions on financing? This group is supported by players with significant real estate and finance experience
U.S. Bank said today it is providing more than $16.5 million to a CORTEX expansion project through the purchase of historic tax credits and federal New Markets Tax Credits
This is what happens when one politician arrograntly dares another to play chicken, then watches as the other doesn't blink or get out of the way. The effects haven't been felt in the broad economy so far, but will soon...
Still, we've known for some time that the NIH grants are going to be hacked at Wash U Med's research programs. I personally have friends working in the genome center, doing amazingly cool work, whose jobs are relying on NIH not being cut out of the national budget. Hard times.
This political posturing will continue until both sides agree to not torpedo the economy for personal political imaging. Which may take a while... But, our country investing in medical research for the long-term is a national priority, and we can expect to see full funding towards multiple lines of medical research remain as such once these asshats in DC stop posturing and start leading.
Same time, far as I know, Cortex is not reliant on NIH funding in any ways. Development will continue wihout regard to NIH cuts. And who knows, maybe this could even spur some researchers to leaving work dependent on the grants and go private sector at some of the companies inside Cortex. Admittedly, maybe reaching for that silver lining.
^Actually, although not fully reliant, CORTEX is directly impacted by NIH funding. The universities conducting research at various CORTEX locations (spread from WUMC to SLUCare) are dependent on some NIH funding. If NIH funding dries up or becomes scarcer, there's a higher probability some university labs could shut down thus impacting CORTEX and its evolution.
On the brightside, I don't think $40-million woould kill research at Washington University's CORTEX labs - or at least it shouldn't, however, if the sequestration drags on, it could become a serious issue.
On another note, I saw a comment about WU's endowment which suggested WU could tap its endowment to compensate for the NIH cuts. In my opinion, unless endowment monies were earmarked for medical research at the school, I don't believe research by WU at CORTEX should hinge on the university's endowment. Schools apply for NIH money and win based on a competitive process so why should WU have to dip into its endowment to compensate for funding that it was promised by the government?
Granted the government needs to trim the budget, medical research funding is not pork.
Already, in a short period, there's close to $250-million dollars in major projects under construction in the CWE/Southeast areas - and neither Mills, the SLCOP nor BJC/WUMC have started their projects.
-Cortona at Forest Park, $25-million
-Aventura at Forest Park, $12-million
-Shriners Hospital, $50-million
-BJC Administration, $53-million
-Cortex Heritage Building, $73-million
-Highway ramps, $23-million
-LaClede Lofts, $10-million
The 3949 Lindell reconstruction and 245 Union project (if it ever gets off the ground) also strengthen the CWE project pipeline, which also has the more speculative/long-term prospects of streetcar, Ikea, Target, Laclede Gas moving to Cortex, and/or a Boyle/Sarah Metrolink station. Even though most or none of those will occur, I think the Mills/Whole Foods project paired with the current round of Cortex investment will push things to a different level.
No doubt, this is the most concentrated center of new development monies in STL right now. From just the anticipation of BJC's expansion programs (only broken ground is for an ambulance turnaround on 64/40), we are seeing substantial buildup around the area. This momentum is going to feed itself for some time...
Arch: I dig your commentary and agree. My point is that the NIH Grants that may go away in the very near future are not part of the funding mechanisms behind the new developments as building projects. Yes, they will hurt the scientific endeavors of multiple scientists, including possible/probable new tenants, and muck up the schedules of some ongoing projects. But, that won't stop the buildings from being built on schedule. Meanwhile, take solace in that the economic pains we are soon to experience, resultant of "sequestration", will be strong enough that we should never see them return again, and that the NIH Grants should come back online not long after the effects become apparent.
I also would not anticipate endowed monies from Wash U being redirected towards these scientific projects. Doing so would likely be antithetical for the endowments' underlying legal standings (trusts, etc.). Plus, since WUSTL is surely part of the $1.2B that BJC is going to spend on the hospital grounds, I bet the University is going to be giving enough as-is.
Re: Fed funding. The new BRAIN project might pump some additional funding into the Human Connectome Project, whose chief researcher is at WashU. He was interviewed on NPR earlier this week talking about the effect and scope of the BRAIN project.
gone corporate wrote:Arch: I dig your commentary and agree. My point is that the NIH Grants that may go away in the very near future are not part of the funding mechanisms behind the new developments as building projects. Yes, they will hurt the scientific endeavors of multiple scientists, including possible/probable new tenants, and muck up the schedules of some ongoing projects. But, that won't stop the buildings from being built on schedule.
Looks like another nice pickup. Believe Center for Emerging Technologies is part of CORTEX now. Can see a Phase III being announced before the year is out, maybe more retail/residential/hotel but things are moving in a good direction.
Its latest catch is Adarza BioSystems, an immunoassay company based in West Henrietta, N.Y., a suburb of Rochester. Adarza will move its "primary business and product development" to St. Louis, along with manufacturing, the BioGenerator said in a news release.
The BioGenerator, a non-profit business development group, says it has invested in Adarza along with the St. Louis Arch Angels and other private investors. It didn't disclose the amount of the investment.
Adarza will locate in the Center for Emerging Technologies, 4041 Forest Park Avenue. The press release quotes the company's chief executive, Rand Henke, as saying that "the St. Louis life science research and industry community and its vibrant entrepreneurial infrastructure offer Adarza a dynamic environment for growth and success.”
The gas station at Forest Park and Vandeventer has changed owners. Occupancy permit for new owners (SHERMAN, HEIDI L & LEE LOPATA) was issued ten days ago on April 9, 2013.
The only Lee Lopata I know of is Marc Lee Lopata of Microgrid Energy and Microgrid Solar. Maybe this is a different one. Or maybe he's into gas stations that just so happen to be in the CORTEX site?
Edit... I'm told that this Lee Lopata is a different one, but that *she* is a representative of the company that also holds the parcel immediately to the south.
