urbanSTL

I assume there will be a review process before SLU can demo O’Donnell hall, correct? 

I know SLU has traditionally gotten what the want, but in this case, it seems like they could avoid tearing this one down. There is plenty of green space. It would be a shame to see that building destroyed unnecessarily. 

I got the renderings here: https://www.slu.edu/medicine/-pdf/som-health-education-center-web-booklet.pdf

Remove the covered walkway and you can fit two more buildings. 

quincunx wrote: ↑

Apr 01, 2025

The quarry was at Grand and Chouteau. I call BS on whether you could building something at the corner, maybe not something tall and heavy, but something.  Idk about further south.
Grand and Chouteau Quarry.jpg

Damn that's a cool photo. I guess that's the old Armory in the background?

Just speculation, but maybe the presence of the old quarry forced them to move the Doisy further south?

pattimagee wrote: ↑

Apr 01, 2025

I guess this is in that huge blight map... there's probably no review right? 

https://nextstl.com/2016/09/st-louis-se ... -corridor/

Yep, it's in the 353.

Does that chapter 353 ever expire or just continue indefinitely? Not that I have much hope for the remaining historic structures within it surviving very long.

^ iirc 25 years with the possibility of extension. THere's also a process for modification of the agreement.

Also, I think the normal city review procedure (whatever that is) for demo of SLU buildings will apply for this project as the building was not included in the list of properties that could be demolished under the redevelopment agreement.  

MarkGroth2020 wrote: ↑

Apr 01, 2025

I got the renderings here: https://www.slu.edu/medicine/-pdf/som-health-education-center-web-booklet.pdf

Thanks Mark,   

I will try articulate my vision but if the new building is rotated slightly clockwise you would have two bookends in way for a nice linear, 3rd building or maybe two buildings as flipz noted along Grand Ave between the existing research and proposed education center.    You could still keep the walkway and have the park, space opposite of the garage.

Per the redevelopment agreement, there were 12 buildings identified for demo (7 south of Choteau, all west of Grand); any proposed demolitions for other buildings go through the normal review process. So O'Donnell Hall would go through the normal process.  

MarkGroth2020 wrote: ↑

Apr 01, 2025

I got the renderings here: https://www.slu.edu/medicine/-pdf/som-health-education-center-web-booklet.pdf

guess they didn't like the attention.

STLrainbow wrote: ↑

Apr 01, 2025

Per the redevelopment agreement, there were 12 buildings identified for demo (7 south of Choteau, all west of Grand); any proposed demolitions for other buildings go through the normal review process. So O'Donnell Hall would go through the normal process.  

Good to hear

^^ Lol!

Hope they reconsider the placement so that no demo is required. I know folks here don't like SLU but if they can get all this plus Iron Hill built out, then that little stretch of Grand will be quite busy.

It's so desolate there

Iron Hill? That project has seemed long dead. 

I'm sure SLU would still like to sell the land.

urban_dilettante wrote: ↑

Apr 01, 2025

MarkGroth2020 wrote: ↑

Apr 01, 2025

I got the renderings here: https://www.slu.edu/medicine/-pdf/som-health-education-center-web-booklet.pdf

guess they didn't like the attention.

I saved the document. Might post it later. I don't know.

I have some channels to SLU and I have come to find out that SLU didn't really want this out yet. 

This project is probably still a few years out. 

Their problem for talking about it then uploading a PDF detailing their plans to their website that was easily discoverable on Google by searching "SLU New Medical Sciences Building"

I suspect they are just trying to fundraise for the building. They got one large gift, but they will need a lot more. There is no general university money available based on everything they are saying about their budget situation, and if there is, they have some explaining to do to their current and former employees that are suffering with layoffs and no raises.

MattnSTL wrote: ↑

Apr 03, 2025

I suspect they are just trying to fundraise for the building. They got one large gift, but they will need a lot more. There is no general university money available based on everything they are saying about their budget situation, and if there is, they have some explaining to do to their current and former employees that are suffering with layoffs and no raises.

Capital improvement budgets are a thing that exists and aren't used on employee pay. So they wouldn't have any explaining to do.

Um, as someone taking classes at SLU atm, the last year has been basically chaos within the univeristy. Cuts in staff, cuts in programs, cuts in classes offered; the bureacracy is also a mess now because of all that loss of capacity and one person trying to do many people's jobs. Morale at campus is LOW. And SLU has a budget, and there's no way you can argue to me that capital improvements are somehow in some off special safe and that money can't be moved around. If Auggie wants to go to campus and succeeds convincing literally one student, staff or faculty member of that I will be exceedingly surprised. 

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/ca ... tal-budget

Hope this helps.