urbanSTL

I still haven't had time to get a full set of pics up anywhere, but I do have a couple options if you haven't seen the street yet.

First, the Old North Blog has a post containing several pics from the ribbon cutting.

Second, Crown Square will be one of the feature projects in an upcoming PBS television show about historic preservation across America. They were in St. Louis for the ribbon cutting, and one of the producers was actually in the ONSLRG office today. You can watch a preview here. It's pretty inspiring to watch.

Unfortunately, 14th St. is still not open. The street lights had been scheduled to arrive yesterday, but they remain on back-order. Maybe September 10th if we are lucky for a new arrival date.

For those interested in businesses, leasing interest has been very strong since the ribbon cutting. Five tenants are currently signed, which accounts for around a third of the available space.

We have know for a couple months already, but I can finally announce that Crown Square will be receiving the 2010 National Trust/HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence at the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference next Friday in Austin, TX. It is quite an honor with strong competition, and St. Louis should be proud to have a project worthy of national recognition.

Crown Square Development in St. Louis, Mo. to Receive National Preservation Award
National Trust for Historic Preservation to Present National Trust/HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation at National Conference

Posted October 19, 2010 | Contact pr@nthp.org or 202-588-6141

Washington, D.C. (October 19, 2010)—The National Trust for Historic Preservation will present its National Trust/Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation to Old North St. Louis Restoration Group and the Regional Housing & Community Development Alliance for the Crown Square Development in St. Louis, Mo. The project is one of 23 award winners to be honored by the National Trust next week during its 2010 National Preservation Conference in Austin, Texas.

Read More

There is also more good news today about the project. The street lights finally arrived and installation started today. This is the last step to getting the street open.

The streetlights are installed and working as of about 10 minutes ago! Pics to come.

Today is indeed a great day!

Great looking street lights. It was worth the wait.

^Not quite yet. The inspections for City turnover are being scheduled now.

Wow, everything looks amazing. I see a trip to Crown Candy in my future.

14th St. is now open to traffic!

I drove down 14th St. yesterday afternoon. It looked great.

^Maybe if they can come up with $300,000 minimum. I know the Co-Op building like the palm of my hand, and the part that is not currently occupied is in need of a lot of work. And I mean a lot (new floor throughout involving re-framing part and tearing out and repouring the concrete part, a new roof, more windows in addition to the storefront that is coming soon, electric, plumbing, and HVAC, and the list goes on). I'll categorically deny that rumor at this time. I can confirm tomorrow.

With that said, the Urban Studio Cafe would like to maybe move into one of the Crown Square spaces in the future. That would be a while though, as their business would need to grow more to be able to cover the rent (as affordable as the Crown Square spaces are). I would LOVE to see the cafe be able to expand, but I think it may be a while.

Closet Repeats is set to open soon. They were planning to be open by now, but they have some weird complications in getting the business license and occupancy permit due to it being a resale shop. Hopefully that will be resolved soon. The salon is nearing the end of build out, but no opening date is set yet. Crown Hall, which will be a banquet and event space is still in the architecture phase, but there should be some movement there soon. Rambles.com will be opening a store at 2611 N 14th. That is still in the pre-build out stage, but the lease is signed. There are also ongoing negotiations with a woman's shoe store, which should result in a lease soon. Interest continues in the remaining spaces, but there is still plenty of room for good businesses. If you know of anyone interested in great spaces at a great price, send them by.

Re: Closet Repeats - how does a retail store expect to survive being open 4 days a week for 7 hours a day? I see there was issues with permits - but I can't imagine that was related to operating hours.

I was down here a few weeks ago, was enjoying my meal at Crown Candy before some homeless guy came in and started being disruptive and scaring the crap out of customers (myself included). It's a bit miseleading that they've opened the 'mall', but the street still dead-ends a few blocks south, so it's not a true thoroughfare like it's been touted. Still - the area looks nice.

Just a side note - given the destination that CC is, and given the efforts being done to restore ONSTL, there needs to be signs along St. Louis Ave and others directing people to the location. Nothing major, but 3-4 signs would be mighty helpful for people trying to make their way there.

I am 100% impressed with the work being done in Old North. I think that this should be the model for more neighborhoods to make a comeback. In fact, I think the Old North Restoration group should attempt to package their mission and plan to make it available to other neighborhoods.

Any update on how full Crown Square is on leasing?

Thanks for noticing and posting.

St. Louis Artworks is now open at 2703 N 14th St. It's been great seeing the apprentices all this week and meeting some of the staff and artists working with them. Artworks is a great program, and we are excited to have them in Crown Square!

If anyone has great ideas for what they would like to see in Crown Square, please send them our way. We are always looking for feedback and ideas.