urbanSTL

stlien wrote:Count, I dont believe any of the info you posted is new. It was first reported that renovation would take 12-18 months, so the November date more than likely wont happen. Also, $3M renovation for a building thats 145k sq ft doesnt make sense either; thats $20 per sq ft. No way a new police station can get renovated at $20/sqft.

Unfortunately, our citys budget is out of whack, so when and how this renovation will happen is still unknown.

I don't think this is all coming out of taxpayer's wallets. I believe some may have been funded by private donations. http://www.stlouispolicefoundation.org/ ... event.html

jmmnq6 wrote: I don't think this is all coming out of taxpayer's wallets. I believe some may have been funded by private donations. http://www.stlouispolicefoundation.org/ ... event.html

Here's the most recent info on their HQ renovation:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metr ... 0f31a.html

In September, they anticipated relocating within 12 to 18 months. That was after they received a $3M donation that would probably not cover costs. Also, I was told that the original $5M budget was too small.

I can't believe they are having a 'Furnishing Drive' in the first place.

So.. does anyone know whats happening with the old building? Would make perfect residential, finally bridge downtown to the south!

It would stay under the control of the STLMPD.

and people don't understand why there are budget deficits...... Police Lofts anyone?

Supposedly the old station will be used to expand their crime lab and to work with UMSL's criminology dept. As suggested by the IBM consultants who conducted the Smarter Cities Challenge study.

I thought the budget deficits were mainly caused by police pensions. I could be wrong though.

stlien wrote:Supposedly the old station will be used to expand their crime lab and to work with UMSL's criminology dept. As suggested by the IBM consultants who conducted the Smarter Cities Challenge study.

I thought the budget deficits were mainly caused by police pensions. I could be wrong though.

ah ha! sounds like a smart reuse. I was assuming it would just revert to office/storage/wasted space

They should make the old HQ into a police museum with regional law enforcement offices on the upper floors like the CrimeStoppers, the Backstoppers, RCCEEG or perhaps even move the St. Louis DHS fusion center here! If the Peabody Opera House got around $12 million in state historic tax credits and $12 million in federal historic tax credits I bet the building could get it. Just imagine a new attraction between Busch and Scottrade with an expanded sidewalk and a Bike St. Louis route to connect them! Does anyone know what will happen to the Academy building?

joeman17 wrote:They should make the old HQ into a police museum with regional law enforcement offices on the upper floors like the CrimeStoppers, the Backstoppers, RCCEEG or perhaps even move the St. Louis DHS fusion center here! If the Peabody Opera House got around $12 million in state historic tax credits and $12 million in federal historic tax credits I bet the building could get it. Just imagine a new attraction between Busch and Scottrade with an expanded sidewalk and a Bike St. Louis route to connect them! Does anyone know what will happen to the Academy building?

Thats an idea.

But the Peabody Opera House and the Police HQ are two totally different types of projects. Tax credits are generally 20% of total project costs and they're awarded to the redeveloper (not a municipality) of the project. So for your idea to work, there would have to be a developer who can provide equity. Do you know a developer who would do it? The fact of the matter is, the police dept and city officials have a lot of work to do fixing the budget and new capital expenditures probably dont fit in.

Oh no I totally agree that the two are different and theyre are a lot of things to do. I was just suggesting what can happen with the old HQ when the cops move to their new home and maybe start to get the conversation going so that this building doesnt turn into a parking lot! Haha

It won't turn into a parking lot. They will still use it for other services. Also, the Academy will operate as it does now, nothing will change.

^ that's too bad.

I was hoping to see Schlafly turn the headquarters into a new brewery and purchase the naming rights to Scottrade Center becoming "Schlafly Garden".

Supposed to be done by summer, June/July.

City really needs to stop putting those ugly a** concrete pots out there . Makes the area uninviting and unattractive and all steets and roads regardless should all be through like every other city.. Its getting to be ridiculous ..

If security measures are needed for the Police HQ, at least put in something that looks decent instead of the ugliness that is there now.

It be ideal for a Tim Horton's to come downtown since they are expanding into the Saint.Louis market..specifically around the new police HQ or in the CBD...