So would I be correct in assuming that the Kiel will in fact be redeveloped?
My interpretation was that this acquisition was one of the big hangups in starting the Kiel's rehab. The Kiel interests were unwilling to start rehab because that building was sort of up in the air, with a chance that Larry Rice would acquire it, and put a homeless shelter in there, most felt that the Kiel wouldn't get done at that point. Now that the city owns the building, and will not give it away to Rice, it's clear that their intentions are to get the Kiel done, and that is a huge step in starting the progress.
With all that though, no work has started, so you never know. But I'd view that as an extremely positive step towards getting the Kiel Opera House back online.
With all that though, no work has started, so you never know. But I'd view that as an extremely positive step towards getting the Kiel Opera House back online.
it is very disappointing to me that UMSL built the Touhil ($50M+) when that money could have been used to renovate the Kiel and calling it something like "The University of Missouri STL Performance Center" . I don't believe this town can support two identical venues like these.
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I really hope they can keep the parking to a minimum to allow the city's health and human services departments to be relocated to the Abrams building as it says in the mayorslay post. I'm still dismayed to see this mentality of one above-ground parking garage per building mindset, especially with all the Savvis garages nearby. This is yet another place where I think a master plan for parking downtown could address the situation better. I understand it's necessary for the deal to go through, so to that extent I can accept it, but hope development downtown can evolve beyond this stage...quickly.
One of the reasons that Dave Checketts bought the Blues, was because he liked the idea that he could have the Kiel facilities and work towards opening up the Opera House. I don't think losing Breckenridge is going to impact that ability for the Kiel to be rehabbed.
And Courtland, I think that's a negative viewpoint. First of all, the Touhill is on a college campus, the Kiel is not. The Touhill will have a different selection of events than the Kiel. And I do think that this city can support two identical venues. The artistic scene in this town is growing. I spent Friday night in Midtown going to the Black Rep, and Midtown was buzzing. Just imagine what it will be like when they start putting more residents in those soon to be rehabbed buildings.
I think this town has been clammoring for something more than just the Fox for years.
And Courtland, I think that's a negative viewpoint. First of all, the Touhill is on a college campus, the Kiel is not. The Touhill will have a different selection of events than the Kiel. And I do think that this city can support two identical venues. The artistic scene in this town is growing. I spent Friday night in Midtown going to the Black Rep, and Midtown was buzzing. Just imagine what it will be like when they start putting more residents in those soon to be rehabbed buildings.
I think this town has been clammoring for something more than just the Fox for years.
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I think that this is a good solution-they aren't building a new garage on the land by city hall. It would be nice to only use a portion of the building and bring those city employees downtown, but if using it as a garage is what it takes so that both the savvis and keil can have events on the same night that is fine by me. That is several thousand more people on a saturday downtown, able to wine/dine/ and be on the streets. Competing for parking would really limit the scheduling-and the savvis with much larger crowds (even this year) would win every time.
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I was looking at an aerial shot of the Abrams Building on Google Maps, and it looks like a portion of the building is already used for parking - the roof has a ramp leading up to it and is full of cars.
I hope that with this matter resolved, the city can turn its attention to finding a new headquarters location for the Missouri Valley Conference (using the city-owned parking lot on Spruce between 15th and 16th had been discussed) and developing the lot at 14th and Clark.
I hope that with this matter resolved, the city can turn its attention to finding a new headquarters location for the Missouri Valley Conference (using the city-owned parking lot on Spruce between 15th and 16th had been discussed) and developing the lot at 14th and Clark.
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yeah...what's the latest with the MO Valley situation? I heard they've really outgrown their current locale and would love to stay downtown, preferable close to Savvis. What's keeping them from doing so? All we need is for them to feel slighted and consider taking their office to KC.
DeBaliviere wrote:I was looking at an aerial shot of the Abrams Building on Google Maps, and it looks like a portion of the building is already used for parking - the roof has a ramp leading up to it and is full of cars.
I think you are looking at the post office. I am looking at Google Earth and the Abrams building (immediately west of KOH bounded by 15th, Walnut, 16th, and Market) has only mechanical equipment on it.
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VDW had an article in the Post about it today as well. Looks like it may get rolling as some more details were provided about the whole deal.
I wonder how many nights there would be something going on at Saavis and the Auditorium. Is it really necessary to have separate parking for each one?
Completely agree. I read somewhere that St. Louis has one of (if not THE) highest parking spot per capita ratio of all American downtowns.
This may come as a shock to some people, but in some cities, you don't always park in a garage that has a bridge that crosses directly into your destination. Sometimes, people have to actually walk a block or two. Crazy, I know. Good thing we've progressed beyond that, right?
But in all seriousness, imagine an evening when there is a Kiel performance and a Blues game. Imagine that this new parking garage gets built. Do you think that, say, the Kiener plaza garages are going to be full that night? I doubt it. With the car dependency that our metro area is still in, I understand that there ought to be parking spaces. But it is pretty frusterating when we demand not simply an adequate number of spaces, but an adequate number of close spaces. This is not only lazy, but wasteful, and gluttenous.
This may come as a shock to some people, but in some cities, you don't always park in a garage that has a bridge that crosses directly into your destination. Sometimes, people have to actually walk a block or two. Crazy, I know. Good thing we've progressed beyond that, right?
But in all seriousness, imagine an evening when there is a Kiel performance and a Blues game. Imagine that this new parking garage gets built. Do you think that, say, the Kiener plaza garages are going to be full that night? I doubt it. With the car dependency that our metro area is still in, I understand that there ought to be parking spaces. But it is pretty frusterating when we demand not simply an adequate number of spaces, but an adequate number of close spaces. This is not only lazy, but wasteful, and gluttenous.
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From the Business Journal:
Link
The city of St. Louis recently signed an offer letter to buy the Abram Federal Building from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for $7.5 million.
The deal has not been finalized yet.
Upon receiving the city's offer letter, the GSA will conduct a formal review of the offer through its Washington, D.C., office, then forward it on to Congress. Upon approval, the GSA would hand over the title of the building to city of St. Louis officials in September, Mike Brincks, GSA deputy regional administrator, told the St. Louis Business Journal.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay; and Comptroller Darlene Green made the official offer to the GSA Tuesday, following a meeting with the GSA's newly appointed administrator, Lurita Doan, according to a release.
After four years of planning, the city put a $750,000 deposit on the federal office building, located at 1520 Market St., in May.
The Abram Federal Building was built in 1961 and is located within an important redevelopment area for the city of St. Louis. For years, the building has been looked at as a site for a possible parking garage for the historic Kiel Opera House. In recent months, the city has proposed using the building as a companion, multipurpose structure with 760 parking spaces and an arts/education space.
To make the deal work, the city is selling 99-year leases on two parking lots next to the Robert A. Young Federal Building, which is at Tucker Boulevard and Spruce Street, for $2.7 million. In addition, GSA agreed to credit $1 million in rent toward the purchase price. After the title is transferred, GSA will be leasing space back from the city until the U.S. Department of Agriculture can move into new space at the Federal Center on Goodfellow Boulevard.
GSA is a centralized federal procurement, property management, policy development and information provision agency created by Congress to improve government efficiency and help federal agencies better serve the public.
Link
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Naming rights for "Savis" purchased by Scottrade.
Link: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument
Does anyone have an idea how this may affect the Kiel?
Link: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument
Does anyone have an idea how this may affect the Kiel?
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I've heard that Dave Checketts, the new owner of the Blues and the (now) Scottrade Center has expressed interest in renovating the opera house. They'll have a little cash to help make it possible now.
DeBaliviere wrote:I've heard that Dave Checketts, the new owner of the Blues and the (now) Scottrade Center has expressed interest in renovating the opera house. They'll have a little cash to help make it possible now.
He used to work at Madison Square Garden which has the Paramount Theater attached, so that could inspire him.
From MayorSlay.com: Abram Building deed transfer ceremony on Monday.
Yeah, thank God Rice is out of the picture.
So, what's next with this? Is the Breckenridge family going to continue with this definitely?
So, what's next with this? Is the Breckenridge family going to continue with this definitely?
I remember back in the 80's when a friend of mine's father worked in the Abrams building and we visited him to go to lunch. That place was rocking and rolling: parking within a couple of blocks was difficult. Now it's sad to see this part of downtown looking so shabby. Middle of the day and there's tons of meter parking and little pedestrian in that area.
I guess if they tear it down and build a parking garage, hopefully there will be some street-level retail stores and restaurants facing Market.
I guess if they tear it down and build a parking garage, hopefully there will be some street-level retail stores and restaurants facing Market.
^Couldn't have hurt that the Muni Courts building was still in use then too.
It's not going to be torn down according to any plans I've seen. it will just be renovated within the current structure. I'd actually prefer a new building, but I would think that would be cost prohibitive.