urbanSTL

I just posted the weekly update on the New Old North Blog.

Just put up the weekly update.



Parts of the project really are flying along. The buildings that have been started are being rebuilt quite quickly. It will still be a long project because over half the buildings have not been touched yet. In fact, the second half of the financing has not even closed yet. That is why there has been a minimal amount of work on the pedestrian mall itself. The most challenging buildings are still to come as well.

I know we're quite a ways from calling this project a success in its entirety but it is absolutely amazing what's being done in ONSL. Keep up the good work!!!!

The best that can be done is to put together a great project that will serve as a model for what can be done in ONSL. Even if McKee doesn't notice (hopefully he will) others will and possibly demand an equal quality from future projects and Blairmont properties. [-o<

Just a random question: will there be any attempt to salvage the interior of the structures on any of these buildings?

Because the project is using both federal and state historic tax credits the areas that are considered public spaces have to be restored. Some of this will involve reusing some items, but the vast majority will be reproduced with new materials just because of the condition of the buildings. There isn't much original material left. Trim will be new but with matching profiles. Storefronts will be restored to the original configuration. Entryways have to be the same. The historic feel will be retained.

Financing for the project has been completed:

Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance (RHCDA) said Tuesday it closed on the final piece of financing for the $35 million, mixed-use Crown Square development in Old North St. Louis. Crown Square is being co-developed between RHCDA and Old North St. Louis Restoration Group (ONSLRG).



The mixed-use, mixed-income redevelopment of the former 14th Street pedestrian mall and surrounding blocks features the historic rehab of 27 buildings that will include 80 lofts, apartments and live-work spaces. The project also will have 33,500 square feet of office/retail/restaurant space. The streets once removed for the pedestrian mall will be replaced and re-connected to neighborhood streets.



...continued

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stor ... ily33.html

That's great news!



Any rumor or indication of further money coming into ONSL from private developers? How about Hyde Park? Other than McKee, I mean.

Financing for the commercial portion did indeed close on Tuesday. The commercial portion includes 38 market rate apartments, including some live work units, and 33,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. This portion includes most of the buildings on the mall itself. Construction is ready to start immediately. It will only be interior demo for quite a while. I was in two of the worst buildings on Tuesday for about 4 hours and I really did fear I was going to fall thru the floor several times. They are in horrible condition and will require a complete gut including all floors and walls. Some of the buildings currently under construction in the residential portion were just as bad, but the buildings were not as large. I just posted an update on the New Old North Blog including pics from inside the two I was in. They are 2600 and 2601 N. 14th.



There are some privately financed projects in Old North. There is a project on Hebert, the Junction Lofts, Two Projects on 14th St. Multiple owner occupied renovations, and some other potential mid to large projects. I'll get a more detailed list Tuesday. Don;t know too much about Hyde Park.

As promised a few months ago(finally downloaded my pics). Here is 2826 N. 14th.

Sept.?



October



Others from October

2817 N. 14th



2825-2833 N. 14th.

Newset pics are on the blog.

Surely, this project will become a national bestcase for the CDC and grassroots planning texts.

The famous (at least in that neck of the woods) Parks sign came down today. The first sign of construction for the commercial component. Pics on the blog, as usual

It's amazing to see what's happening here. How they got financing in that part of town is beyond me, but more power to them. I would love to watch what happens to this area once there's a trolley stop at North Florissant and St. Louis Ave.



MattnSTL do you have any information on The Junction Lofts project on Palm Street? I haven't heard anything about this until seeing your flickr page. It seems ambitious for this area, and therefore in line with what's happening on 14th and North Market.

Argghh, I meant to get a bit more info on that one today. It will be 50 apartments, catered to artists, students, creative types. They will be "affordable" units, hopefully with the support of the Missouri Housing Development Commission. Mix of public and private financing. I need to get a good digital rendering. I think someone put one on the server at ONSLRG at some point. I will have to check. It seems like a pretty solid plan. ONSLRG is a 10% partner in the project as well, which basically means that 10% of the profits will go to the Restoration Group. I'll make a new thread for it sometime.

Developers must be among the finest mathematicians in the world!

Framer wrote:Developers must be among the finest mathematicians in the world!

Or among the most creative, at least!

I just put new pics up on the New Old North Blog. The demo contractor has made incredible progress on the Parks Building across from Crown Candy. The building is nearly gutted. Plenty of other progress as well. Check it out.

Ever since Matt took us on a tour of ONSL a few months ago, I have been making more frequent trips to Crown Candy to check out the progress. It makes for a good excuse to get a chocolate malt.

I went yesterday and checked out a house on Monroe with my brother and an agent. The agent said we'd need a screw gun to get in...my brother walked up to the door and it opened up...no lock or anything. Upon entry, a piece of plywood was against the wall with someone's clothing drying on it. The agent of course made a few calls to report that a vagrant was living there. The house was amazing though...stepping in was just like having flashbacks of when the house was in its grand state.

Let me know the address. Was it actually in Old North?