urbanSTL

I wouldn't expect this news to have much of an affect on whether or not SAL goes into this location. Supervalu has been having issues for a couple of years, but my understanding is that SAL is one of their better performing store banners.

Also, it looks like less than a third of SAL stores are actually owned by Supervalu. The remaining locations are licensed by the parent, but are run more like franchises. Not sure about the locations on Jefferson.

I noticed yesterday that work had begun on the Foodland/Save-A-Lot site on South Jefferson. It looked like they were significantly altering the existing exterior of the building. Unfortunately, I was driving so I didn't get a chance to take any pictures.

Any update on the construction and other tenants? Anxious to see an affordable gym and hardware store!

Signage up for Blast Fitness

http://www.blastfitness.com/blast-fitne ... souri.html

Also, a new outparcel is going up closer to Jefferson. Supposed to be a sandwich shop?

^ the link says the new location is on S. Jefferson in "Jefferson, MO", wherever that is.

Any word on which "sandwich shop" is going up near Jefferson on the south side of the property?

Oh awesome, so when is the beauty supply, payday loan, and nail salon going in?

Blast Fitness is open.

The new building with the new Subway appears it will have another tenant with a drive-thru.

The old strip center to the North (old Subway, Rent-a-Center, etc) appears it will now be a single tenant, wait for it... Family Dollar!

Family Dollar? Isn't there already one under construction at Jefferson and Victor?

^ I am 90% sure that the circle sign I saw hung up on the building is the Family Dollar logo

I think the retail that signed on just reflects the demographics of the area. Yes, you have a fair amount of mid and high income residents, but I'm willing to bet that more residents are low income or in poverty.

The part that really frustrates me is that they thought it was a good idea to reuse an ugly strip mall with a sea of parking, while we demolish urban storefronts in the city everyday. Form Based Code is a must in the city. There is nothing walkable, urban, or sustainable about this development.

Alex Ihnen wrote:^ A lot going on in that prediction.

I think everything he mentioned will come true, except for the oil stains. Manangement will do an excellent job of keeping the parking lots free from oil.

All you naysayers need to take a trip out to this site - this isn't a suburban strip mall facade facelift - the architects did a tremendous job of re-utilizing an outmoded structure and site:

The structure is nowhere near recognizable of its previous life as Foodland - its more contemporary in design than anything around the City. The site which was nothing more than a sea of parking has been perforated with numerous (10+) BMP's - stormwater bio-retention cells and bio-swales to treat the stormwater on-site instead of funneling it into our outdated sewer system. The new outlot structure is again contemporary and a great addition to the parking lot to break up the asphalt.

Overall, the site is a great example of suburban retrofiting an existing site to fit better within its urban context but it has incorporated numerous sustainable/green strategies that maximize its potential and provide a great benchmark for future adaptive reuse within our region.

Big Box stores do not simply have to be torn down - they can undergo adaptive re-use and be a part of our urban fabric.

Go check out: Retrofitting Suburbia (http://www.buildabetterburb.org/article.php?aid=145), and
Ellen Dunham-Jones, an advocate for re-purposing suburban-style architecture to create urban, walkable destinations (http://www.ted.com/talks/ellen_dunham_j ... urbia.html)

If you're gonna b**** - bring your a-game...

^ Fair enough. Nice to know about the parking lot. Then again, let's be honest and slap ourselves back to reality. A fancy box with a front parking lot is still not exactly the highest and best use for a site adjacent to one of the region's premiere neighborhoods. But at least when the decision to preserve the box was made, it was done right. So I give it that.

One thing I can't forgive is the outbuilding you reference. Its rear faces Jefferson (right?).

stldotage wrote:One thing I can't forgive is the outbuilding you reference. Its rear faces Jefferson (right?).

Yes, it does, but you have to consider the significant grade change from Jefferson Ave sidewalk to the finished floor elevation of the building - if the architects oriented the structure to face the street, everyone from the street would be looking at the top of the roof and would not see the front facade.

Given the circumstances of the site - I overlook the fact that the structure faces inward and not to the street.

Agree they have done an excellent job repurposing the site. Looks great!

However, I also have to agree that the tenants are very underwhelming.

As a nearby resident I will rarely visit any of these tenants, which is disappointing because this area is under served in so many ways, I was hoping this great reuse would result in some tenants I would like to visit.

Mark Groth wrote:come on guys, this part of town is not as ghetto as you are making it out to be. Mixed race/income certainly, yes. Ghetto dump, no. When's the last time you've been to the Gate District, Lafayette Square, Fox Park, Compton Heights or McKinley Heights (surrounding neighborhoods)? Yes, a dollar general/family dollar is disappointing, esp when there is one opening just down the road on Jefferson. Yes, a sav-a-lot caters to the low end produce and junk food buyers, but I think it will not become as ghetto as you guys predict. I could be wrong, but I am at the Blast fitness all the time and it is quite nice.

I was just joking about matguy's dire prediction. I don't have a huge problem with this development.

Not a fan of the Gate District, however. It may be my least favorite city neighborhood.