Grand Center: Woolworth's & Metropolitan Buildings

urbanstlouis · PostDec 06, 2004#12004-12-06T08:42+00:00

The Woolworth's building, at the corner of Olive Street and North Grand Boulevard in Midtown, has qualified for state and Federal historic tax credits. The 3-story building is be redeveloped for retail on the ground floor, commercial on the second floor and residential on the third floor.

Plans include joining the Woolworth's building with the Continental Life Building at the third floor so "Woolworth" residents may use the amenities at the Continental.

The building will be ready for occupancy in June 2005.

matguy70 · PostDec 12, 2004#22004-12-12T16:55+00:00

Went to the theatre last night - and they have now started on this project! good news!

MattnSTL · PostDec 12, 2004#32004-12-12T18:42+00:00

I was actually going to make a thread on this the other day. When I was walking to class the other day I noticed the plywood had been painted and some windows were out. I also saw a few workers there standing around. Should be a nice project and it will be a huge improvement.

urbanstlouis · PostDec 17, 2004#42004-12-17T17:11+00:00

A lawsuit has been filed halting any TIF funding for the Grand Center area of Midtown. This includes $1.8 million in TIF that Steve Trampe needs for the Woolworth's building.

arch city · PostDec 17, 2004#52004-12-17T17:23+00:00

Ridiculous. What's exactly the problem in a nutshell? I've heard some rumblings, but haven't researched much.

urbanstlouis · PostDec 17, 2004#62004-12-17T17:31+00:00

The main problem, as stated in the St. Louis Business Journal, is the tool in which to redevelop the Grand Center area. Some say it should be tax abatement while others say it should be TIF. Since the article is the Journal's frontpage story, I would think it would be online Monday or you can pick up a copy at your newstand for $1.50. It is a rather in depth article... not just a fleeting mention of what has happened.

jay t · PostDec 20, 2004#72004-12-20T20:05+00:00

Everytime I turn around there is a new lawsuite being filed against something.

Another small project but important one is the 22nd Street Pkwy. The city is having problems over aquisition of property. Therfore the project has been suspended.

There seems to be way too much silly stuff holding back progress. But thats the way it is.

urbanstlouis · PostDec 20, 2004#82004-12-20T21:20+00:00

EXCLUSIVE REPORTS

From the December 17, 2004 print edition

of the <A HREF="http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/">St. Louis Business Journal</A>

<A HREF="http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... 2.html">No TIF, no projects</A>

Lawsuit stalls $130 million in development in Grand Center

Heather Cole and Margaret Jackson

For years, Frederick Medler has chronicled on a local Web site what he views as failings on the part of Grand Center, the mid-town arts district. But now that there are major improvements under way, the 26-year resident of the district has filed a lawsuit that has brought a halt to $130 million worth of projects.

<A HREF="http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... l">>>>read more</A>

par · PostDec 21, 2004#92004-12-21T00:35+00:00

I think it's unfortunate everyone is ripping this Medler guy. He might have a good point. I don't know him, the details of this project, or this particular TIFs structure- but blasting him for NIMBYism is not right. And let me say this: not all development is good, nor are all TIFs. They should be evaluated case by case on the details- how they fit with the surroundings & their positive (or negative) externalities. This city needs well thought-out and well designed projects, not just development for the sake of development.

thanks for letting me rant

stlgasm · PostOct 06, 2006#102006-10-06T14:04+00:00

Haven't read the article yet, but according to this week's Business Journal, the Woolworth's Building and Metropolitan Building rehabs are on hold. Pyramid, who was going to rehab the Metropolitan, is focusing its resources on the redevelopment of St. Louis Centre. I don't know the details on the Woolworth's Building.

I can't understand why Grand Cener hasn't caught any of the momentum of the surrounding districts.

jmedwick · PostOct 06, 2006#112006-10-06T14:06+00:00

Oh the reasons....

southslider · PostOct 06, 2006#122006-10-06T15:29+00:00

The news wouldn't bode well for the VA hospital. In other news, the VA would like to long-term lease their surface parking lot north of Powell Hall for development in exchange for structured parking built west of Grand. But ironically, the very reason why Grand Center hasn't taken off could also hurt VA's strategy, that is Schoemehl-town already has beaucoup parking.

I think if Grand Center had focused on bringing life to the empty lots via infill development, more developers would be jumping to rehab the empty buildings. But as it is, few developers jump at empty buildings separated by empty asphalt. If the Continental was any indication, rehabbing will take a lot of money. But it's less risky to build new over asphalt than rehab scattered shells in between parking lots. But when less risky new infill takes off, it will become less risky to rehab the shells that end up between new buildings and the returned street life.

jmedwick · PostOct 06, 2006#132006-10-06T15:55+00:00

^ Well exactly. Grand Center's TIF plan was never bad, with its focus on making a black cultural center near the Sun theater, rehab the buildings along Grand, and the locaiton of Circus Flora on the lot next to Powell. But, Grand center neglected the importance of developing depth, particuarly developing a residential base to support the development. I mean how can you ignor all of those empty lots off of Grandell? How can you ignor all the parking lots that surround the slender strip of buildings that is Grand Center. And because Grand Center missed the boat timing wise and because they failed to develope a plan that would develope a real vision and sense of place, they are stuck with what exists now, a floundering TIF district. It is sad to think back 4 years and know what was planned and what could have been planned and to think forward now, and know what little will happen.

jambo · PostOct 09, 2006#142006-10-09T13:38+00:00

From the StL Biz Journal (6 Oct 06):

Grand Center: How will next act play out?

The redevelopment of the former Woolworth building in Grand Center has hit a roadblock. Owen Development dropped out, and no new developer has yet been named for the $10 million project.

It's the latest in a series of project delays in the arts district, which has seen starts and stops in redevelopment efforts for more than a decade. Pyramid Cos.' $27 million redevelopment of the Metropolitan Building has been postponed. The Tuxedo Room, a highly touted upscale restaurant, was set to debut in June but delayed its opening until Oct. 19.

The vacant three-story Woolworth building is in the heart of Grand Center, which spans Grand Boulevard from Lindell to Delmar. Grand Center is home to the Fox Theatre, Powell Symphony Hall and the Sheldon Concert Hall. The Woolworth building is owned by the non-profit Grand Center Inc., led by former St. Louis Mayor Vince Schoemehl.

Ken Christian, Grand Center's real estate coordinator, said five developers have submitted proposals to redevelop the former Woolworth building at Grand and Olive Street. Christian said a new developer will be named by the end of October. He declined to identify the five developers who have submitted bids for the project. "There is a growing sense of momentum in the district, and there are developers who have not developed previously in the district who are interested in doing so," Christian said.

Grand Center was filled with vacant and dilapidated buildings for decades through the 1990s until the area was targeted as a hub for arts and entertainment. But Owen Development Principal Steve Trampe said Grand Center is still an unproven market. "These are really tough buildings (to develop). You can't say retail or office or residential has been proven to this point in Grand Center. Almost any use, except entertainment, is still very much pioneering."

<A HREF="http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... 00^1355862">>>> Read more</A>

southcitygent · PostOct 09, 2006#152006-10-09T18:38+00:00

Getting these two buildings redeveloped should be one of the top priorities for the city. Because they form a gateway into the district from the south, their continued boarded up state presents a foreboding image to all the suburbanites who flock there.

jcity · PostOct 10, 2006#162006-10-10T02:30+00:00

the Woolworth building is owned by the non-profit Grand Center Inc.

Therein lies your problem. Just as they wanted to control Opus' development on the corner of Lindell and Grand, it ultimately pushed them out of the neighborhood. Get Biondi/Grand Center Inc. out of the mix and you might have some grass-roots development. why would any private developer go in and partner with Grand Center Inc/SLU? This is what holds this area back.

debaliviere · PostOct 10, 2006#172006-10-10T13:31+00:00

I agree. And unfortunately the one guy who's completed projects there, Steve Trampe, has backed out.

threeonefour · PostOct 10, 2006#182006-10-10T16:22+00:00

If only we could overthrow the powers-that-be in Grand Center...

suburban lou · PostDec 15, 2006#192006-12-15T22:15+00:00

According to today’s Business Journal Pyramid will start work on the Metropolitan Building in early 2007. McCormack Baron has taken over the Woolworth project, and SLU is again talking to developers about the Grand/Lindell site.

bastiat · PostDec 16, 2006#202006-12-16T01:05+00:00

Citylover wrote:According to today’s Business Journal Pyramid will start work on the Metropolitan Building in early 2007. McCormack Baron has taken over the Woolworth project, and SLU is again talking to developers about the Grand/Lindell site.

Aren't they the ones that specialize in "affordable" housing? Are they dooming this area to that fate? Can't we put "affordable" housing outside of the desirable areas to avoid ruining them, AGAIN?

matguy70 · PostDec 16, 2006#212006-12-16T14:49+00:00

I think "affordable" doesn't mean "section 8" or "government housing"

metzgda · PostDec 16, 2006#222006-12-16T16:41+00:00

Bastiat wrote:Are they dooming this area to that fate? Can't we put "affordable" housing outside of the desirable areas to avoid ruining them, AGAIN?

That doesn't sound very "American" to me. So I guess you're saying that low-income families don't have a right to live in the desirable areas, and all affordable housing should be built in undesirable areas, outside of the eyes of upper-class society? Maybe I'm taking it a step too far, but I think that is an incredibly rude comment. St. Louis needs to be diverse while smart. I agree that the majority of projects in this area should be market-rate, but I find it offensive to think that low-income families would have no right to live in the area.

luftmensch · PostDec 16, 2006#232006-12-16T17:58+00:00

McCormack Baron has a track record of building and managing great mixed income projects in St. Louis and elsewhere in the U.S., but they've also done "luxury" developments like the Cupples Station hotel by the ballpark.

I would be happy living next to any of their projects.

arch city · PostDec 18, 2006#242006-12-18T00:11+00:00

Let's stick to the topic. Thank You.

luftmensch · PostDec 18, 2006#252006-12-18T02:32+00:00

What, pray tell, was off topic there? We're discussing the Woolworth Building's developers. Isn't that the topic?