urbanSTL

^ Shaddrach, what growth would Metro East see out of such a move? Most likely the employees will just end up driving farther to work. Yes, they will get a shiny new building to put on a brochure. Most likely the county will give a free pass or abatements on property tax. Even if they move, now one region, specifically the city of St. Louis City (loss tax revenues) and South County takes a big hit for the sake of Metro East. How does that promote growth? I think it does a great job of promoting sprawl and is telling how much more clout Durbin has over the MO Senate delegation.

Another way to look at it, Metro East continues to be utterly dependent on the Federal Dollars to support most of the gains in jobs over the last several years. Nor do I see this promoting growth in outside private capital, jobs and population because they have had a presence in the region for a while now. I literally can't think of any major southern Illinois, outside of Wood River Refinery expansion that did not involve federal dollars or backing of the State of IL. Yes, you had some activity at Mid America but that is heavily subsidized and both Lambert and Downtown St. Louis Airport, another Metro East Airport, could have easily support what is being done.

This is one of the reasons of why I think the St. Louis metro area straddling two states is a big disadvantage when competing with other metro areas. You literally have national politicians promoting a relocation because it looks good for them, hurts their neighbor and region doesn't gain anything as a whole. Heck, you probably got support for a greenfield move to SAB from the White House that is ran by a former IL Senator just as it was politically easier to close auto plants near St. Louis than Detroit. The reality is that federal policy and decisions have been hurting the regions core just as much as everything else. Moving to SAB will be a big hit for St. Louis City and South County just as Chrysler plant closing was a big hit for West County/Franklin County and Ford plant closing for North County.

It matters more on how much Federal pull a state has. McCaskill and Blunt have less pull than Durbin who is pulling hard for SAFB. An Illinoisan is also in the White House. I see SAFB as the front runner.

On the flipside, what will happen to the current site of the NGA, once the move is complete? Will the government hold on to this site or sell the land. AB might be a potential buyer, considering how close their operations are to the NGA building. I'm not sure how outdated the building is or if it can be converted, but it will be interesting to see what happens to that property and building.

It all hinges on what this building and property can be repurposed for. If the building is nothing more than an office, of course it has a purpose beyond NGA.

I would think the NGA's top choice would be to stay int the city if at all possible.
Then it be Scott Air force Base
I wouldn't be thrilled if it went out to Fenton however it wouldn't surprise at all either.
I think Slay needs to get over the mindset that what good for the county is good for Saint.Louis cause the county isn't thinking that way or feeling the same way as the city.
If i were Slay i would be all over this & then some. This is tax revenue the city has a likely chance of losing if it doesn't be beyond aggressive about.
Illinois is already corrupt sorry to be very harsh but it's reality & i could very well see Durbin suggesting those jobs be relocated to the Chicago area.
I'm sure they already have a package waiting in the wings to uproot Scott Airforce Base & move it into the Chicago Region including those Jobs.
If the city doesn't get NGA to stay in the City then i really will have a hard to believing if the city will ever come back This is very important.

DogtownBnR wrote:On the flipside, what will happen to the current site of the NGA, once the move is complete? Will the government hold on to this site or sell the land. AB might be a potential buyer, considering how close their operations are to the NGA building. I'm not sure how outdated the building is or if it can be converted, but it will be interesting to see what happens to that property and building.

The site is a former arsenal, it is surrounded by a handsome and somewhat intimidating stone wall and iron fence. there are still historic barracks on the campus and the remains of a parade ground.

The main building is huge and runs parallel to the river - I think this is an opportunity to reuse the existing buildings and create what could be one of the most unusual "micro" neighborhoods in the country with the main building as lofts and the out buildings converted to single families and new infill - views of the river - historic walled compound - old parade ground as a common "green" - adjacent to Lyon park - next to AB - adjacent to Soulard- close to Cherokee - next door neighbor to the Lemp Brewery - Most likely a shoe in for national historic landmark

A hotel? mixed use? all residential? lots of options - a tear down for industry should not be one of them

I know this isn't necessarily practical but......

There is significant parking lot space on this property. It would be neat if they could stay in the same location while building a new facility on the current parking lot a la Busch 2 and 3.

I imagine they could secure off site parking in Kosciuko and shuttle employees in or temporarily pave over portions of Lyon park.

^ I believe GreenStreets is on its way to have a number of tenants lined up for the Carondolet site. I understand that they had one client ready to sign a tenant/lease agreement in near future for 150-200k sf buidout as well as the possibility of breaking ground before the year is out on additional spec space. But haven't seen or ready anything new in a while as it seems things went quiet. Think it is a great location for a regional brewhub with its rail, highway, industrial access and infrastructure and my second choice for Schafley (still want north riverfront with its urban farm along the river).

However, great point and you wonder if this was happening a year or two earlier if GreenStreets would be competing directly with McKee for making the site the city's preferred choice. Plenty of space that would offer a secure stand alone facility, located just down the road along I55, and assume most of the employees would give a thumbs up.

Government officials will not consider relocating NGA and its thousands of workers to the Pruitt-Igoe site without health care facilities nearby, McKee said.

What health care facilities are near the current location? Alexian Brothers?

roger wyoming II wrote:^ Not sure what is closest currently, but I think what he is saying is that his new proposed facility three blocks from P-I would satisfy the NGA's needs. I also saw him say that the existing P-I site isn't large enough on its own for NGA needs so it would take up some additional space.

right, i'm just wondering if it was one of their needs when they moved into the Kosciusko site or if it's a more recent consideration. strikes me as a little odd but i suppose it's never a bad idea to have medical facilities nearby.

If I was betting...
Round 1
Fenton 5%
North park 10%
Melville 1%
Weldon springs 8%
St.Clair County (ScottAFB) 40%
City(PI) 36%

Round 2 after the 4 MO losers are dropped
St.Clair CO 45%
City 55%

If pols were not involved and sane people made the decision , the city wins easily. NGA plans to expand to 5000 I believe, that many jobs in north city would do wonders for the north city, the city as a whole which in turn would change the way the outsiders look at the city thus the whole region would benefit from a better image of the city