Hopefully the return of the Blues will help US regain some much needed momentum. I realize the Blues were present last year but the crowds weren't; an average of 5k-8k people per game. A packed Scott Trade center will definately affect US in a positve fashion. This is the first year in a long time (4-5 years) that I am actually pumped for hockey, seems like new ownership is commiting to bringing us a winning club.
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ntbpo wrote:This is the first year in a long time (4-5 years) that I am actually pumped for hockey, seems like new ownership is commiting to bringing us a winning club.
Same here! Like you, I think the Blues will have better attendance, and I hope this will help Union Station.
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Definitely. The Blues have already surpassed last year's season ticket sales, and you know the walk-up crowds will be better this year.
Well, I would start sending your comments/suggestions/criticisms here so at least they might here complaints first-hand. Who knows if it would make a difference, but you never know.
INFO@STLOUISUNIONSTATION.COM
INFO@STLOUISUNIONSTATION.COM
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ntbpo wrote:Hopefully the return of the Blues will help US regain some much needed momentum. I realize the Blues were present last year but the crowds weren't; an average of 5k-8k people per game. A packed Scott Trade center will definately affect US in a positve fashion. This is the first year in a long time (4-5 years) that I am actually pumped for hockey, seems like new ownership is commiting to bringing us a winning club.
It would seem like large crowds at the Blues games would impact US, and it does on a limited basis. My experience is that sports events, help the restaurants and the t shirt shops that are selling related items, but it really does not help the mainstream stores as this type of crowd does not usually shop or want to buy anything they have to carry around. This is part of the problem with US and why many merchants move out because you need regular everyday customers to survive and currently US does not have this.
Even when there are a lot of people, you don't see many shopping bags and if they do make a purchase it is normally a small purchase. People who come to US do not come to shop, they come to look around at the remnants of what was once a train station or they eat in the food court.
Many times Blues fans do not even come in US, they just use the parking lot because it is convenient to Scottrade.
It used to be when there was a Cardinal game you would also see large crowds come in the station, but that has not been the case this year as many more restaurants are now close to the new stadium and Cardinal items are now more readily available at the Cardinal store at the Stadium.
And when ball park village is built someday, this will cause a further decline in those who come to US.
There just isn't any really good reason to come to US after you have been here one time. Like Navy Pier in Chicago, once you have been there, there really is not any reason to rush back, at least for me. At least Navy Pier is very touristy with several attractions, US is not even touristy.
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At least Navy Pier is very touristy with several attractions, US is not even touristy.
Kind of a shame that US is touristy, because its pretty much an embarrassment. I've never been to US in its hayday, only the last few years.
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metzgda wrote:Well, I would start sending your comments/suggestions/criticisms here so at least they might here complaints first-hand. Who knows if it would make a difference, but you never know.
INFO@STLOUISUNIONSTATION.COM
If you really want to email the right people at US with your comments, here are their email addresses:
Byron Marshall General Manager byron.marshall@am.jll.com
T. J. Just Retail Leasing Specialist tj.just@am.jll.com
Alyssa Smith Specialty Leasing Manager alyssa.smith@am.jll.com
Frances Percich Marketing Manager frances.perchich@am.jll.com
All of the above work for Jones Lang LaSalle who is the management company for US and are responsible for its current success. Matter of fact, Frances and Alyssa, both received awards this year from Jones Lang for the outstanding job they have done with US.
lamiaposta wrote:metzgda wrote:Well, I would start sending your comments/suggestions/criticisms here so at least they might here complaints first-hand. Who knows if it would make a difference, but you never know.
INFO@STLOUISUNIONSTATION.COM
If you really want to email the right people at US with your comments, here are their email addresses:
Byron Marshall General Manager byron.marshall@am.jll.com
T. J. Just Retail Leasing Specialist tj.just@am.jll.com
Alyssa Smith Specialty Leasing Manager alyssa.smith@am.jll.com
Frances Percich Marketing Manager frances.perchich@am.jll.com
All of the above work for Jones Lang LaSalle who is the management company for US and are responsible for its current success. Matter of fact, Frances and Alyssa, both received awards this year from Jones Lang for the outstanding job they have done with US.
Current success?!?!?!
Outstanding job?!?!?!
What for? Best use of creative displays in empty storefronts?
I wouldn't go as far to call Union Station an embarrassment. I mean, yeah it needs help and could be a lot better, but I don't think its that bad. There are malls in far worse shape. Take a trip to Northwest Plaza and US is thriving.
oh yeah, it's really Jones Lang's fault. Gee, if they'd only just call Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, Houston's etc, surely they would want to open stores at US! It's just that simple! geez, these guys must not be doing their jobs... Why don't you run a demographic study on the type of shopper that goes to US, see what stores you get lined up to lease space.
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^ I don't think anyone's saying that. Improving the tenant mix is only one step. Union Station really needs an overhaul.
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Shimmy wrote:I wouldn't go as far to call Union Station an embarrassment. I mean, yeah it needs help and could be a lot better, but I don't think its that bad. There are malls in far worse shape. Take a trip to Northwest Plaza and US is thriving.
It's not an embarrassment...yet. It does, however, have the feel of a mall that is trending downward - just like St. Louis Centre did, Northwest Plaza, etc. There isn't anything positive taking place there.
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Personally I'd rather see nice stores set up shop in ground floor street facing retail. mmmmmmm
I think we might see something like that done by Pinnacle, but i'd rather see it in the CBD or along Locust.
I think we might see something like that done by Pinnacle, but i'd rather see it in the CBD or along Locust.
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I prefer street level retail downtown too, but that still doesn't solve the question of what to do with Union Station. It's a big enclosed place and I don't see a way to convert it into anything else. Makes me wish they had just turned it into a train station with a few shops and bars like Kansas City US.
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southsidepride wrote:I prefer street level retail downtown too, but that still doesn't solve the question of what to do with Union Station. It's a big enclosed place and I don't see a way to convert it into anything else. Makes me wish they had just turned it into a train station with a few shops and bars like Kansas City US.
A train station? That's crazy!
Anyway, enclosed malls are suffering just about everywhere. I think the key for a revitalized US would be to have useful retail - a pharmacy - grocery store - maybe even a Target under the shed . . . this would bring in regular traffic. With the Blu condos, the Ford and other developments close by, there's a need.
JCity wrote:oh yeah, it's really Jones Lang's fault. Gee, if they'd only just call Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, Houston's etc, surely they would want to open stores at US! It's just that simple! geez, these guys must not be doing their jobs... Why don't you run a demographic study on the type of shopper that goes to US, see what stores you get lined up to lease space.
So I guess we should all just shut up and silently watch as Union Station looses store after store and doesn't replace them with anything?
How many stores have been lost under the watch of the current management and replaced with nothing but empty displays? Are you claiming they're doing a good job?
Since we're all simpletons and you're obviously smarter than all of us, what do you propose be done with Union Station?
Grover wrote:A train station? That's crazy!
Anyway, enclosed malls are suffering just about everywhere. I think the key for a revitalized US would be to have useful retail - a pharmacy - grocery store - maybe even a Target under the shed . . . this would bring in regular traffic. With the Blu condos, the Ford and other developments close by, there's a need.
I think putting a big box retailer in US is a great idea. There is ample parking for them, plenty of space, is a prominent location and would give DT STL the national presence it needs without planting a huge unsighly building in the middle of the city. Combine this with some smaller national chains and it could create a whole new category of "strip mall" retail!
Have some vision people. Union Station can have street level retail with up to 2 or 3 stories of office or retail above them under the shed. The key is the vision to see how it can happen.
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I don't like 'street-level' retail under the shed for the simply reason that it's really off of the street grid and hidden from daily sidewalk and street traffic. I don't think people would frequent that type of development any more than the current set up.
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When the Downtown Partnership commissioned its retail study a few years back, I wonder what it determined US's role to be - where does it fit in on the downtown retail scene. Is it going to continue to serve tourists, or could it be repositioned to serve the downtown residential base, along with Soulard/Lafayette Square residents? Doing so would make it less of a "draw" but might make it healthier and more successful.
It might be a good spot for some larger retailers who might have trouble finding space elsewhere downtown, especially with St. Louis Centre no longer functioning as a mall.
It might be a good spot for some larger retailers who might have trouble finding space elsewhere downtown, especially with St. Louis Centre no longer functioning as a mall.
Grover wrote:I don't like 'street-level' retail under the shed for the simply reason that it's really off of the street grid and hidden from daily sidewalk and street traffic. I don't think people would frequent that type of development any more than the current set up.
Think bigger Grover. Under the current Union Station setup, a Boulevard like development would not work for the very reasons you stated. I suggest we move further away from what Union Station is now. Stop thinking about the "Shed" as one big area and Union Station, its shed, and parking lots as one big supper block.
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DeBaliviere wrote:When the Downtown Partnership commissioned its retail study a few years back, I wonder what it determined US's role to be - where does it fit in on the downtown retail scene. Is it going to continue to serve tourists, or could it be repositioned to serve the downtown residential base, along with Soulard/Lafayette Square residents?
Sounds like good questions to address on your blog.
I haven't had the time to go over there and comment yet, but you've done well and you've found a great focus for blogging IMHO.
It might be a good spot for some larger retailers who might have trouble finding space elsewhere downtown, especially with St. Louis Centre no longer functioning as a mall.
I agree. And I'd really like to hear what Jim Cloar thinks about Union Station's place in the overall retail scene downtown.
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JMedwick wrote:I suggest we move further away from what Union Station is now. Stop thinking about the "Shed" as one big area and Union Station, its shed, and parking lots as one big supper block.
This may sound like a stupid question, but does Union Station really need the shed?
^If the shed was removed I would discontinue calling it Union Station all together.
I think it is an interesting and important question to ask.
I would be inclined to say keep the shed. One of the traditional complaints about street level retail is that in bad weather (such as rain or snow) forces patrons away. In that aspect, the Shed gives a retail oriented Union Station something that neither Olive St (with the Arcade, Macy's, and City Grocers/ Schnucks), the proposed Ballpark Village (though I do note the glass cover over one of the streets in the renderings), or Washington Avenue can offer potential downtown shoppers. The shed will not offer the cover or comfort of an enclosed mall, but it does offer some sort of shield to the elements (both inclement weather and shade on those hot summer days), and I think such a shield can be advantage if properly integrated into a new plan for the station.
As an aside, I think a general discussion from Jim Cloar about how he sees all the moving parts of downtown retail (ie. the potential of the Olive strip, the growth of Washington Avenue, Union station and the Ballpark Village, the potential for a north-south retail connection) fitting together in the next decade.
I would be inclined to say keep the shed. One of the traditional complaints about street level retail is that in bad weather (such as rain or snow) forces patrons away. In that aspect, the Shed gives a retail oriented Union Station something that neither Olive St (with the Arcade, Macy's, and City Grocers/ Schnucks), the proposed Ballpark Village (though I do note the glass cover over one of the streets in the renderings), or Washington Avenue can offer potential downtown shoppers. The shed will not offer the cover or comfort of an enclosed mall, but it does offer some sort of shield to the elements (both inclement weather and shade on those hot summer days), and I think such a shield can be advantage if properly integrated into a new plan for the station.
As an aside, I think a general discussion from Jim Cloar about how he sees all the moving parts of downtown retail (ie. the potential of the Olive strip, the growth of Washington Avenue, Union station and the Ballpark Village, the potential for a north-south retail connection) fitting together in the next decade.