Good choice on the streetlights.
Can you bring back that 905 liquor store sign while you're at it?
Can you bring back that 905 liquor store sign while you're at it?
- 11K
^ No kidding - love the "Blitt's" as well. I think there's some irony that the streetlamps could be modern, 1950's, 1920's, etc. and the road and parking will be whatever MODOT says, but you can't bring back a neon sign without a variance.
- 10K
Do you suppose any of those old signs are still in existence?
- 11K
There are a couple - found in storage in buildings on Manchester - not the elaborate ones we would hope for, but the owners can't put them back up without a variance. Now, that variance may not be too tough to get, but it's a process that dissuades owners from trying
- 2,386
It would be really cool if some of the old ones could be remade. That picture posted above is awesome. It would be nice to see a meeting of some of the businesses to agree on an idea to bring more light to the area (not just here, but all over the city). But this of course takes time, and time is money. And money, which is also money.
- 11K
Here's a blog post with a photo of the Fox Hole neon sign and some bad cell phone snapshots of other new/changing Grove businesses....
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/10 ... osing.html
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/10 ... osing.html
Amazing photo- thanks for sharing.
The sign ordinance is a load of bullsh*t. I can't believe that such nonsense hasn't been revised. The year is 2009, and commercial districts are still expected to conform to boring uniform awnings (think South Grand in the mid-90s)? If I were a business owner on Manchester, I'd take my chances, put up my ***** sign, and pay the fine if the city chose to enforce it.
The sign ordinance is a load of bullsh*t. I can't believe that such nonsense hasn't been revised. The year is 2009, and commercial districts are still expected to conform to boring uniform awnings (think South Grand in the mid-90s)? If I were a business owner on Manchester, I'd take my chances, put up my ***** sign, and pay the fine if the city chose to enforce it.
For those interested, WUMCRC (Wash U med's redevelopment corp) put together a quick PDF showing parcels on Manchester that have been redeveloped. I'm a bit vexed by the inclusion of Jiffy Lube, Maaco and the Science Corner, but it shows how much has been done. Very few corner buildings remain untouched, but quite a few between the corners, and a couple large lots have yet to be developed. Hopefully with the new streetscape things will keep rolling.
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/10 ... nt-on.html
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/10 ... nt-on.html
- 10K
^
Good stuff. I'd love to see new construction on the "science corner" at some point down the road - that would be a good spot for an anchor building.
What do you think will become of the houses that are interspersed throughout the strip? Will they be torn down or be re-zoned commercial and used as small office and/or retail space? On one hand, I like the homes because of their age/quality, but on the other hand, their setbacks and usage interrupt the street wall.
Good stuff. I'd love to see new construction on the "science corner" at some point down the road - that would be a good spot for an anchor building.
What do you think will become of the houses that are interspersed throughout the strip? Will they be torn down or be re-zoned commercial and used as small office and/or retail space? On one hand, I like the homes because of their age/quality, but on the other hand, their setbacks and usage interrupt the street wall.
"science corner" = waste of space
I want to see more crazy ass modern light/signage like they have in Boystown in Chicago. I like the traditional street lamps as well, but they should have some kind of serious gates/lighting that defines the Grove.
funny comments on that other link about the "attempt at being hip" with the gothic signage. what is with the variences on signage anyway? the city does want "hip/cool" signage, but seems to have this variance in place. perhaps it's only a basic review before such quality signage is approved.
I want to see more crazy ass modern light/signage like they have in Boystown in Chicago. I like the traditional street lamps as well, but they should have some kind of serious gates/lighting that defines the Grove.
funny comments on that other link about the "attempt at being hip" with the gothic signage. what is with the variences on signage anyway? the city does want "hip/cool" signage, but seems to have this variance in place. perhaps it's only a basic review before such quality signage is approved.
- 11K
You're going to see some "crazy ass modern light/signage" soon. Well, I can't vouch for whether you'll think it's "crazy ass modern," but it will be unique to STL.
Just out of curiousity, does anyone know what buildings the Gills are working on these days? I haven't seen them on Manchester in a little while and now that the former BCS Moving and Storage building looks to be complete, I was curious where they had moved next.
Also, I was at the Gibson Heights neighborhood meeting last night and was encouraged by some things Alderman Roddy had to say. Apparently most of the entities (Development Corporation and other committees I'm not too familiar with) associated with Forest Park Southeast are currently undergoing restructuring, and his desire was to restructure them with the long-term goal of making Forest Park Southeast a car-optional neighborhood. It sounded like his biggest hopes were a Metrolink stop at Sarah and a shuttle that would make it easier for anyone living south of Manchester to get to the Metrolink stop(s). He also mentioned a complete overhaul of the current zoning laws that would hopefully add higher-density development along the shuttle route.
Also he mentioned that the proposed apartment building at Taylor and Chouteau is in the process of getting HUD funding, but it sounded like that is a long and tedious process, so while it's still a-go we might have to wait a while for progress.
Also, I was at the Gibson Heights neighborhood meeting last night and was encouraged by some things Alderman Roddy had to say. Apparently most of the entities (Development Corporation and other committees I'm not too familiar with) associated with Forest Park Southeast are currently undergoing restructuring, and his desire was to restructure them with the long-term goal of making Forest Park Southeast a car-optional neighborhood. It sounded like his biggest hopes were a Metrolink stop at Sarah and a shuttle that would make it easier for anyone living south of Manchester to get to the Metrolink stop(s). He also mentioned a complete overhaul of the current zoning laws that would hopefully add higher-density development along the shuttle route.
Also he mentioned that the proposed apartment building at Taylor and Chouteau is in the process of getting HUD funding, but it sounded like that is a long and tedious process, so while it's still a-go we might have to wait a while for progress.
- 11K
^ and a project to introduce new residential south on Manchester is in the works as well - more on that soon.
- 1,000
wuphys wrote:Just out of curiousity, does anyone know what buildings the Gills are working on these days? I haven't seen them on Manchester in a little while and now that the former BCS Moving and Storage building looks to be complete, I was curious where they had moved next.
.
They are working on a hotel redevelopment in Iowa I think.
- 11K
Just a couple nice stories on the Wash U Medical Center Redevelopment Corp....
Teaming up with others to help FPSE residents stay in their homes (with Fox2 video clip):
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/11 ... -team.html
Lifelong FPSE resident and artist gets a website to promote art (sample image below):
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/11 ... ident.html
![]()
Teaming up with others to help FPSE residents stay in their homes (with Fox2 video clip):
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/11 ... -team.html
Lifelong FPSE resident and artist gets a website to promote art (sample image below):
http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/2009/11 ... ident.html
- 424
Per Seth Teel on Twitter, there are a few new things in the works for the Grove, and frankly I can't wait!!
First up, request support for liquor license @ 4227 Race Course. Proposed bar/ restaurant: Forever Yours Bar & Grill
2nd Agenda item: Renovate old gas station to convenience shop & fast food/ sandwich place @ 1415 S. Vandeventer
Approved support for liquor license for new BBQ place @4317 Manchester (old Five rest.) New place will be called Flavor's.
Don Bellon of Bellon Wrecking asking for tax abatement for gut rehab @ 4380 Chouteau. 2-family conversion two 4-single units.
- 11K
I think the biggest news may be the impending rehab of the single-story shotgun homes on the 4200 block of Arco. These have been boarded up for quite a long time and are visible from Manchester Avenue. You can see them at the wedge of Arco/Manchester. The wedge building itself has been nicely renovated and is for lease. Restoration St. Louis owns about six of the single-story homes. They will be rental properties, leaving open the possibility for future development on this block if there's demand.
![]()
![]()
- image from Mark Groth, St. Louis City Talk
- image from Mark Groth, St. Louis City Talk- 424
That is good news Alex. I hope that we get some good residents to move in and help shore up the 42 and 4300 blocks. I love that building at the wedge, and really wish we could get a signature tenant in there.
- 11K
I know the opportunity has passed, but I DESPERATELY would have liked to see Pi in there! 
- 424
Pi would have been good... I'm curious to if a restaurant moves in if they would be allowed to put a patio where those planters are and make that into seating... at least it would be more attractive then those planters.Alex Ihnen wrote:I know the opportunity has passed, but I DESPERATELY would have liked to see Pi in there!
On an aside, it seems that Restoration St. Louis has been quiet for a while, and now they have a bunch of properties up for rehab, did something happen? I'm glad, but curious. Also, does anyone know if they have any plans for some of the houses on S. Kingshighway between Gibson and Wichita? They are the first things many tourists see when going to Forest Park or the Science Center and they look horrible.
- 1,000
They had that big project in Iowa. Maybe it's done.FloPoErich wrote:On an aside, it seems that Restoration St. Louis has been quiet for a while, and now they have a bunch of properties up for rehab, did something happen? I'm glad, but curious. Also, does anyone know if they have any plans for some of the houses on S. Kingshighway between Gibson and Wichita? They are the first things many tourists see when going to Forest Park or the Science Center and they look horrible.
- 11K
^ The intersection at Arco and Manchester will see much larger sidewalks with the streetscape improvements - I believe roughly out to where the planters are now, and wider. So there will be quite a lot of room for outdoor dining.
Regarding Restoration St. Louis, I think they have hit a lull. They need tenants in some of their buildings and financing for others. Money's tight for everyone. The small rehabs I mentioned are just that, small. And they're needed to improve the look of the Manchester steetscape, so I wouldn't think they signal a big renewed push by the Gills, but what do I know?
I don't believe Restoration St. Louis owns the homes facing Kingshighway. I think that they will not be redeveloped. If the Drury Hotel ever comes to fruition at I-64/Kingshighway then these buildings will likely be demolished to make way for a hotel entrance (the entrance has to be x ft from the I-64 entry ramp per MODOT).
Regarding Restoration St. Louis, I think they have hit a lull. They need tenants in some of their buildings and financing for others. Money's tight for everyone. The small rehabs I mentioned are just that, small. And they're needed to improve the look of the Manchester steetscape, so I wouldn't think they signal a big renewed push by the Gills, but what do I know?
I don't believe Restoration St. Louis owns the homes facing Kingshighway. I think that they will not be redeveloped. If the Drury Hotel ever comes to fruition at I-64/Kingshighway then these buildings will likely be demolished to make way for a hotel entrance (the entrance has to be x ft from the I-64 entry ramp per MODOT).
- 407
I think you are right Alex. If I recall, a lot of the buildings Along Kingshighway and Oakland on the western edge of the neighborhood were owned by an LLC called Citi U. A company called KH Ventures LLC owns all of those, along with a few places on the western end of Arco. Tax records list 14 parcels in their name. If that is Drury, it looks like they would take out quite a bit of real estate.Alex Ihnen wrote:I don't believe Restoration St. Louis owns the homes facing Kingshighway. I think that they will not be redeveloped. If the Drury Hotel ever comes to fruition at I-64/Kingshighway then these buildings will likely be demolished to make way for a hotel entrance (the entrance has to be x ft from the I-64 entry ramp per MODOT).