For the record, I don't necessarily share his doom-and-gloom view that "it is getting worse." I happen to live in the same building as this guy, and have for nearly two years now. He's an older (perhaps middle-aged) gentleman who seems to spend much of his free time cultivating vegetables, so I can understand why he might feel a little isolated in the middle of 20- and 30- something singles downtown.Lived downtown for 7 years. The article misses a very important point. The turnover rate of rentals is very high. Young downtown renters quickly become disillusioned with the lack of services and retail in the community. You still have to drive out of downtown to buy anything but food, drink and personal services. Culinaria tries its best to provide basic domestic consumables, but it struggles to hold down the prices. As a result many of the young renters leave when the one year lease expires. Our building is highly occupied but with a new group of curiosity seekers every month.
There is no sense of community in downtown living and it is getting worse.
I've got two words for you -- Amazon Prime. What's easier than shopping from home? And if I really need something now, a 15 min trip to Brentwood isn't a big deal. My work commute is 20-25 mins, in comparison. Culinaria is fine for the most part but I'll typically shop once every week or two at Sam's Club in Brentwood. Also, there will likely be better shopping options at Forest Park and Vandeventer (only a 5 min drive from DT) within 2-3 years or so.rawest1 wrote:That said, I think he makes valid points about the lack of services, retail, and basic domestic consumables.
At what point do we see that problem begin to resolve? Because he is most definitely correct about our building's makeup. Occupancy is high, but turnover seems to be nearly as high. Obviously some of that should be attributed to the transient nature of young people (who tend to be students and/or professionals just starting out their careers), but he's right in some respects about how you need to drive out of downtown to get lots of things....... which entirely defeats the purpose of living downtown in a major U.S. metropolitan area.
Really? In most neighborhoods -- city or suburb -- you've typically got to travel 5/10/15 mins to obtain various goods and services. Anyway, downtown pretty much has everything now so I don't really understand the critique.wabash wrote:As per the lack of convenience and amenities downtown: it's a valid point and a legitimate concern for anyone who lives downtown.
Pretty sure a new CVS is planned across from SLU Law. As it is, the Walgreens on Lafayette is only a few minutes away. Need clothes? Brentwood is only 10-15 mins away. Again, the same phenomena exists if you live in other neighborhoods.wabash wrote:^^There has got to be a discussion on that topic somewhere here.... But I think the lack of a CVS/Walgreens and the lack of clothing retailers (especially now that Macy's is gone) are near the top of the list.
Details?innov8ion wrote: A new CVS is going in across from the law school.
I thought a CVS was planned for the Park Pacific although I can't seem to find anything about this at the moment. Didn't anyone else hear this?roger wyoming II wrote:Details?innov8ion wrote: A new CVS is going in across from the law school.
Thanks... Why does this not surprise me?wabash wrote:There was an article posted to NextSTL on Sept. 16th saying that a CVS was going into the Park Pacific. It was up for a couple hours (at most) and then was taken down. Hence you not being able to find anything on it.
And now I will probably trek out to the exurbs and visit that outlet mall (the nice one, the further away one)Yep, former Woolworth's space back in the day. Converted to parking back in the 90s. Would be a great spot for a drug store.Right at the corner of 6th & Locust, the first floor facade just looks like it should fit a CVS/Walgreens...assuming, of course, the property owner would be interested in removing the hideous first floor parking in favor of active commercial space.
