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Letter to the Editor: High-rise plan 'should be stopped in its tracks'

Posted Wednesday, September 28, 2005

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To the editor:



It was disturbing to learn from the West End Word that a proposed 28-story building at Lindell and Euclid, site of the Heart Association building, was endorsed by Alderman Lyda Krewson without any input from the neighborhood. And that the endorsement and that of Barbara Geisman of the mayor's office was given at a meeting of the Tax Increment Financing Commission, which then gave an initial approval to the project, despite the fact that TIF is tax abatement designed to encourage development in "distressed" areas.



To read more: High-rise plan 'should be stopped in its tracks'



In her commentary, she suggests that TIF is typically used for economically distressed areas, which is true but isn't always the case based on the way TIF law is currently written in Missouri. Furthermore, the whole City of St. Louis is economically distressed despite major improvements and rebuilding. She even acknowledged in her commentary that the city is losing tax revenue. So how do you rebuild the tax base? TIF is part of the solution. TIF is not a gift.



------->St. Louis TIF Law<-------



Is St. Louis City as distressed as East St. Louis, Illinois which in totality is a Federal Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Community, and TIF Zone? No, but St. Louis City is far from economically stable ? despite fairly stable areas such as CWE. Projects like this will only help the city and the CWE. Despite its ability to be fairly stable, portions of the CWE still need lots of work. Also, TIF's are being given to economically distressed areas ? Grand Center, countless projects in North and South City, and The Bottle District - where it is truly needed.



1. Until TIF law is modified, developers will continue to seek TIF in communities where there's little to no true economic distress ? Richmond Heights, Des Peres, Chesterfield, O'Fallon etc. Sorry, but the CWE (which is in the City of St. Louis) qualifies until the law changes.



Patti Teper is really wasting her breath here. Don't blame the city or Krewson for TIF law. And in all honesty, it is being used appropriately. Are there more distressed areas in the city? Surely. But the city as a whole is distressed. Developers are likely to build in areas like the CWE then funnel outward.



2. What's up with the reference to the Cathedral? Is she playing on the sympathies of Catholics and religious types in St. Louis by suggesting that this building will dwarf the St. Louis Cathedral? If so, what an absolute scam. Big deal. What does the height of the proposed building have to do with anything except the Cathedral probably being her personal sentimental building along Lindell? I like The Best Western Inn at the Park and there should be no buildings taller than The Best Western Inn at the Park on Lindell (sarcasm). Anyway, St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City is dwarfed 10x's over.

Such a behemoth towering over the Central West End would, if anything, lower surrounding property values.

More hype. God, I despise an unprogressive small town mentality. Has she been anywhere in the world? ANYWHERE?



Granted this is one NIMBY, who probably does really care about her community, but her points just do not make any sense. People come in to help rebuild your city, its population, and essentially its tax base and you moan over a 28-story building on a totally appropriate corner that's damn near a mile from the St. Louis Cathedral?

Why does Krewson represent City Hall instead of the neighborhood? Why would the city, already suffering from a loss of tax revenue, offer a developer financial assistance to build in the most affluent part of the city? Why was the importance of preserving current building height around Maryland Plaza totally disregarded? This project is ill advised and should be stopped in its tracks!

No ma'am. You should be stopped in your tracks. You have a total misunderstanding of how TIF works and what Krewson is trying to do for your neighborhood and the city. Hello?!?! They are trying to reverse revenue loss. And can you or anyone provide, in writing, an ordinance or community standard that suggests the current height around Maryland Plaza is to be preserved? I can't find anything. Look on the bright side, maybe this building will block your view of the other 26-story tower rising a block away.

Expat wrote:Arch City, for the record, I have agreed with everything you and others have posted regarding this building. There is no valid reason for not building.

I never said or thought otherwise, Expat.

Expat wrote:I understand completely what you mean about the small town reference and no explanation was needed.

Expat, clarification was offered because there did appear to be some sensitivity exhibited with regards to the use of the reference. Clarifying (or expounding) helps all readers understand what those of us who use the term mean(t) to mitigate sensitivities.

Expat wrote:But, I just wanted to be sure we understood our enemy. For instance, if we got into a shouting match with the NIMBY and called her "small town", she might reply that she is from New York and afraid of her light being stolen. That would be a big city mentality. Our argument would be lost. (I am just making a point, I doubt if light stealing is her motive considering the location of the building)



I wonder what her real motive is? Nothing she said adds up. Of course, there is no reason to believe that someone is sane just because they can write a letter to a newspaper.



Now, if anybody calls the CWE small town, those are fighting words. The CWE can stand up against any neigbhorhood in this country.

Ironically Expat, I don't view Patti as an "enemy". I simply see her as a bit misguided based on her commentary. To address your example, in my opinion, even if Patti were from New York, she would need to go back in hurry with her small town mentality [I am reminded of Tina Turner's experience when she first arrived in St. Louis from Nutbush, Tennessee, "Woooo, look at the tall buildings."] if she felt a 25-30 story tower on that corner in that area was a "behemoth".



If she felt her light could be stolen, she might just have to cut a skylight in her roof (j/k). Anyway, just because a person happens to be from a big city it doesn't necessarily mean he or she is a true big city urbanite.



When I got tired of living in a large urban city, I moved to the country on the Texas Gulf Coast. I lived there for almost three years until I was ready to go back to the big city rat race. While in the country, I did not complain about raccoons, possums, and armadillos running around in the bushes and trash near where I lived. I did not complain about people who actually had domesticated raccoons living in their homes. Although it was unpleasant, I did not complain about the fresh scent of cow doo whenever the wind unfortunately blew in my direction. I didn't complain about the numerous two lane roads - some dirt. I did not complain about the lack of Starbucks, popular chain restaurants, or the lack of stadium seating at the local theatre. I did not complain about a lack of high-rises in the countrified downtown or other lacking urban amenities – such as public transit and world-class museums.



My point is… when I lived in the country it was a choice. I did not try to change what was a natural way of life in the country. If you have a reason to fight something - do it. However, when you live in an urban city, you should reasonably expect an urban lifestyle – crime, noise, traffic, nightlife, different cultures and races, and urban-style development, which includes towers, in appropriately zoned areas, etc.



Again, I know you understand this, but no argument would be lost with this woman based on this simple logic. When you live in the big city you deal with it. If you don't want to live around 30-story apartment buildings move to suburban Chesterfield or some small town.

JivecitySTL's response to the letter written by Patti Teper.......







Letters to the Editor; St. Louis shouldn?t be afraid to be a real city

Posted Wednesday, October 5, 2005



To the editor:



Last week?s letter to the editor from Patti Teper, which asked that the new high-rise proposed for Lindell and Euclid be ?stopped in its tracks? does not speak for all residents of our exciting neighborhood.



I have lived in the Central West End for almost six years, and what I love most about it is its dynamic, ever-changing urban landscape. It has all the characteristics of a great city neighborhood ? old mixed with new, stately high-rises adjacent to historic mansions, walkability, good transit, diverse amenities and demographics. That?s what city living should be.



Teper demonstrates the conservative attitude that has held us back while other cities have left St. Louis in the dust.



>>>> continued<<<<

Excellent writing Jive.