So you're saying this *isn't* an upgrade?Presbyterian wrote:
-RBB
No outparcels? No attached retail center? Where are the site plans?
I was pleasantly surprised to get a reply from Alderman Kennedy:
"Thank you for your thoughts. An urban design is what we are pushing to get. Their first plans did have a building up towards the sidewalk with parking in the rear. There are changes but we are still pushing."
"Thank you for your thoughts. An urban design is what we are pushing to get. Their first plans did have a building up towards the sidewalk with parking in the rear. There are changes but we are still pushing."
- 11K
He's often good with replies, but IMO it's unclear how much is accomplished. With the Lindell CVS, I was told that he was pushing for a more urban design in the same way that made for a better Walgreens further down Lindell. Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate his efforts, but I always hope for more.
I've been seeing a constriction crew on this site the last couple of days. It looks like they're preparing the land for construction on the north east corner of the lot.
The steel frame is coming up. I'll try to remember to take a pic next time i go through there.
That might be the most depressing comparisson I've seen... wow...rbb wrote:So you're saying this *isn't* an upgrade?Presbyterian wrote:
-RBB
So this building sits along the north edge of the ginormous lot. Its access should be from there. I have a feeling though that they will have a long driveway off Delmar (the South edge) along with a sprawling parking lot. God I hope I am wrong. Has anyone here seen the plans?
The old building made better use of the lot. This one is not even in a corner but is surrounded by parking on 3 sides. I haven't walked over there so I couldn't tell, but from the street it looks like they haven't started tearing up the old parking lot. I wonder if they plan on even repaving it. From what I can tell, the building will be facing Delmar.
They're finishing up the site now. A metal fence was put up (maybe 3' high), the parking lot repaved, and new light fixtures put in. The building actually looks pretty nice compared to other Aldis I've seen. It wouldn't be bad if it wasn't at such a major intersection. The parking lot is HUGE.
I'm quite sure that we're the only major city that is building this crap that so blatantly disregards the the urban context in the year 2013. Terry Kennedy could've easily requested that the building hug the sidewalk, but no. An utter embarrassment.
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Terry Kennedy needs to be elected out of office. How long he was in office 25 years? With nothing to show for it. A lot of the north side wards need new and smarter leadership. The north side would continue to decline till there is new leadership.stlgasm wrote:I'm quite sure that we're the only major city that is building this crap that so blatantly disregards the the urban context in the year 2013. Terry Kennedy could've easily requested that the building hug the sidewalk, but no. An utter embarrassment.
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A simple solution would be to adjust the ward boundary a block north and east, placing this intersection with the Central West End in Lyda's 28th ward. I wish ward boundaries universally ran down alleys in the middle of blocks. Aldermen otherwise will tend to view our streets as boundaries rather than as spaces for which they are responsible.
Guess that didn't pan out. Just horrible and an insult to the city. Surely this land could be put to a more productive use per unit land area. I've already gotten a mailing from Aldi. Not getting any of my money. Shame!imran wrote:I was pleasantly surprised to get a reply from Alderman Kennedy:
"Thank you for your thoughts. An urban design is what we are pushing to get. Their first plans did have a building up towards the sidewalk with parking in the rear. There are changes but we are still pushing."
http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/2013/11/r ... destrians/
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You may not have been to Omaha, NE recently.stlgasm wrote:I'm quite sure that we're the only major city that is building this crap that so blatantly disregards the the urban context in the year 2013. Terry Kennedy could've easily requested that the building hug the sidewalk, but no. An utter embarrassment.
Of limited taste? Yes but I think this is overall still a productive development. Obviously Aldi had a budget to work with and renovating the older building fit into that budget while entirely new construction may not have - especially with Kingshighway/Delmar intersection still not being the most attractive location yet. There is no doubt that the site will now generate tax revenue for the city rather than siting empty and that is a tremendously positive development.quincunx wrote:imran wrote:
Guess that didn't pan out. Just horrible and an insult to the city. Surely this land could be put to a more productive use per unit land area. I've already gotten a mailing from Aldi. Not getting any of my money. Shame!
http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/2013/11/r ... destrians/
There is hope that with such a big parking lot, there may one day be infill construction to create a wall of buildings facing Kingshighway and facing Delmar to hide the aldi and its parking lot from the streetscape. Looking at the map now, it would be kind of neat to eventually build an L shaped apartment building at that corner and have it abut the aldi so that the roof can be converted into a social place like the roof of the parking deck at 9N... with pools and grills and stuff.
"Obviously Aldi had a budget to work with and renovating the older building fit into that budget while entirely new construction may not have"
What older building are you referring to? This is all new construction.
What older building are you referring to? This is all new construction.
JuanHamez- you are mistaken. The old building at the site was demolished and Aldi was built from scratch. It does not occupy an existing building.
This was an opportunity to improve the intersection and they didn't even try. There was already a failed supermarket with a giant parking lot there. Have we learned nothing? Hope you're right about a new apt building on the corner someday. I worry they'll put fast food joints there.JuanHamez wrote:especially with Kingshighway/Delmar intersection still not being the most attractive location yet. There is no doubt that the site will now generate tax revenue for the city rather than siting empty and that is a tremendously positive development.
There is hope that with such a big parking lot, there may one day be infill construction to create a wall of buildings facing Kingshighway and facing Delmar to hide the aldi and its parking lot from the streetscape. Looking at the map now, it would be kind of neat to eventually build an L shaped apartment building at that corner and have it abut the aldi so that the roof can be converted into a social place like the roof of the parking deck at 9N... with pools and grills and stuff.
As for new taxes generated, I'd wager most of the activity is just shifted from other concerns and the net gain is small.
Looks like they closed the Aldi up the street at Kingshighway and Page.
Under the Aldi sign they left a couple of open slots so maybe they're planning on building more at the new location.
Under the Aldi sign they left a couple of open slots so maybe they're planning on building more at the new location.