urbanSTL

How do you know if this person was there or not? It's not like I introduced myself as "innov8ion...."

shelbyelyse wrote:We missed you last night. Have you moved in? What floor are you on?

innov8ion wrote: - I brought up the idea of allowing the Charter option in the building. People seemed to be perceptive.

I'm glad everyone was perceptive, but were they receptive?

innov8ion wrote:
- It's funny, someone commented that they weren't fond of the blue paint accenting the exterior windows. Some people like it, some people don't... This looks like one instance where you can't please everyone. Maybe there's a better color to consider?

Count me as one who loves it. And I will even propose we paint the doors to match. Jeff said they are going to leave them brown, but I don't think that looks good.

innov8ion wrote:- Another felt that the garage door stays open for too long and is a security risk...

I suspect this can be adjusted. However, we need to communicate to people not to zip in and then jump right out of their cars and go upstairs. I would suggest pulling in, then wait for the door to close behind you, then proceed to your parking spot. Otherwise we're going to find bums sleeping in there (or worse).

Make sure you come to the next one so I can smack you around a bit

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:I'm glad everyone was perceptive, but were they receptive?

shelbyelyse wrote:It was a lot of fun. It was nice to put some faces with names and commiserating about our experiences through this process. It looks like we have a really good mix of people so far.

I agree! It was also mentioned that we should get together monthly so maybe we can look ahead to next month and schedule something again in the hopes that additional residents will be able to attend as well?



As for last night, Dave, aka 'innov8ion', asked me to take jot down the questions/comments/concerns of the group. I haven't put them into an electronic document just yet, but plan to do so asap and will disseminate the information to the Property Managers for follow up. I'll keep everyone posted as to the response(s) I receive.



If there are any additional items anyone (both those who were able to make it and those who weren't) would like to add, please let me know I'll be sure and pass it along collectively.

Hello, Meridian Owners & Residents.



Glad to hear that your meet and greet went well. Just to clarify, Civitas Real Estate Services (Bob and Elaine) donated the $100.



With regard to the exterior of the building, our understanding is that Historic Rehab Credits were used in the financing structure for the building and that would require the building be restored to some historic standards. The exterior design has to meet specific requirements to qualify for the credits.



We're new to blogging, so I hope we are not committing some blog faux pas.

I'm sorry we didn't make it to the meet n greet! I was really looking forward to putting some faces with names.



The last completion date that we've heard (from Dan with Paric, who's probably a much more reliable source than the developers!) is 10/28, and the punchlist items will probably take a few more weeks. So we should be in by Thanksgiving!



Hey - this is totally off topic, but does anyone know where the dining room table in the display unit came from? We're looking for something similar and haven't been able to find it. Please PM me if you have any ideas.

Civitas,



I have a question/comment. The other day I was having a large television delivered to my unit. Realizing that I might have to use the freight elevator, I called the Meridian main office, a developer, and someone who is now apparently being paid to manage the building. I was unable to reach anyone. Approximately two and a half hours later, I was "caught with my pants down," so to speak, as I was using the main elevator and it was looking like the television might not fit.



A Civitas representative just happened to be walking into the building at that very moment. I mentioned to that person that I had tried calling everyone for the last couple hours and was wondering why I hadn't gotten a response. Luckily, the television fit and I wasn't screwed out of the 50 or so dollars I paid the gentlemen to deliver/unpack/install the television.



However, I was slightly bothered by the response from the Civitas representative when I asked about having called them. I was told:



"Contrary to what you and some of the other residents seem to think, we don't sit around the office all day waiting for you people to call."



Admittedly, the comment was made in somewhat of a joking manner, but it was hard to find the humor in that statement. It also got me to thinking, who DOES sit around waiting for calls? Who, for instance, should a resident call in case of an emergency? Suppose a water-pipe breaks in someone's unit and the unit is being flooded ? Or, for instance, the garage door won't open when people are trying to go to work in the morning?



I'm sure all the residents would appreciate the number of at least one person who could be reached in case of an emergency, or who would at least respond to calls made during normal business hours within three hours or so.

Harvey_Birdman wrote:"Contrary to what you and some of the other residents seem to think, we don't sit around the office all day waiting for you people to call." .

That's really inappropriate. I'd be furious.

Hi Harvey Birdman,



First, I am sorry if you were offended, as that was certainly not our intent. Please know that if you have any issues about any topic, you can email or call us and we will respond. In my opinion, if you have a specific issue about specific topic, then the preferred method of communciation would be private.



Having said that, and since this is the forum of choice, many things about the management are still be determined. The management was just decided the day before your freight elevator situation. As was mentioned in the letter to the Meridian residents last Thursday, the Developers have been handling the building management prior to Thursday and the details of the new management have yet to be worked out.



With regard to deliveries, it has been communicated to the current and future residents, on many occassions, that we have VERY limited use of the freight elevator while the contractor is in the building. That all deliveries need to be scheduled in advance. This is not our rule, it is the contractor's rule. So, your phone call, about 2 hours before your scheduled delivery, would not be considered "scheduling in advance." It would have been unfortunate for you to be out the $50 bucks, but it was up to you to schedule the delivery in advance.



Most of the other residents of the building have called us several days to several weeks in advance of their deliveries. We have to make sure the time is available (i.e. someone else has not been scheduled to move in) and we have to make arrangements for an elevator operator to be present. We have done our best to accommodate everyone.



Having said all of the that, when we walked into the building on Friday, we clearly did not feel that we were "catching you with your pants down" as you are free to use the passenger elevator whenever you wish. Actually, our response about waiting for your call was said in a joking manner because we were greeted with a "I called two hours ago about this ..why haven't you called" which we assumed was meant in the same joking manner.



That said, the residents at the Meridian do not pay for a full time property manager. Your monthly dues are low, in part, because expenses for management staff personnel have not been included in the budget for the Association. You pay for a management company to take care of the building, provide financial reports, collect assessments. You do not have full time conceirge service/property management services.



At the time of your call, we were acting as the Meridian Transition Manager and were walking a unit with a buyer on the 8th floor. We had just finished his walk through and went to get keys made for a closing and stopped on 10th street, to get some lunch, on our way back to the building.



We currently manage about 500 units in St. Louis. Our properties have an emergency contact phone number that is answered 24 hours a day. That call is then relayed to a manager, who calls back the resident to determine the nature of the emergency.



Finally, your note failed to mention that after walking in and seeing that you may have a situation with getting the delivery on the passenger elevator, we went back to the freight elevator area to determine if the contractor was done for the day or if we could accommodate the delivery on the freight elevator for you.



We have tried to extend ourselves to the residents on sevearl ocassions, including checking on residents when they have had pipes burst and following up to make sure the issues were resolved - even when we were not the paid management.

Harvey_Birdman wrote:Civitas,



I have a question/comment. The other day I was having a large television delivered to my unit. Realizing that I might have to use the freight elevator, I called the Meridian main office, a developer, and someone who is now apparently being paid to manage the building. I was unable to reach anyone. Approximately two and a half hours later, I was "caught with my pants down," so to speak, as I was using the main elevator and it was looking like the television might not fit.



A Civitas representative just happened to be walking into the building at that very moment. I mentioned to that person that I had tried calling everyone for the last couple hours and was wondering why I hadn't gotten a response. Luckily, the television fit and I wasn't screwed out of the 50 or so dollars I paid the gentlemen to deliver/unpack/install the television.



However, I was slightly bothered by the response from the Civitas representative when I asked about having called them. I was told:



"Contrary to what you and some of the other residents seem to think, we don't sit around the office all day waiting for you people to call."



Admittedly, the comment was made in somewhat of a joking manner, but it was hard to find the humor in that statement. It also got me to thinking, who DOES sit around waiting for calls? Who, for instance, should a resident call in case of an emergency? Suppose a water-pipe breaks in someone's unit and the unit is being flooded ? Or, for instance, the garage door won't open when people are trying to go to work in the morning?



I'm sure all the residents would appreciate the number of at least one person who could be reached in case of an emergency, or who would at least respond to calls made during normal business hours within three hours or so.

Sheesh...someone's on the defensive.

Now we can see how beneficial a transition to our private Yahoo group would be. We don't need random trolls that aren't in the Meridian piping in. If you're not a resident, you can butt out of this discussion. Get it? Got it? Good...

bywayofSTL wrote:Sheesh...someone's on the defensive.

Hey everyone! I've been reading this thread for a while, with envy I must admit. I originally signed a contract back in early winter/spring 2005 for a "06" unit (406, I think) but had to cancel and move on because my timeline was bumped up from 12-18 months to immediate. Just curious if there's any "06" unit owners on this board? If yes, can you give me your general impression of the unit's space and the experience overall? Thanks so much . . .

innov8ion wrote:Now we can see how beneficial a transition to our private Yahoo group would be. We don't need random trolls that aren't in the Meridian piping in. If you're not a resident, you can butt out of this discussion. Get it? Got it? Good...

bywayofSTL wrote:Sheesh...someone's on the defensive.

Now you understand why we transitioned to a private group. I agree with innov8tion, this is a Meridian matter. If it were my building I wouldn't want all this out in the public eye....

I just posted a question regarding management in the yahoo forum, but there are only 6 members so far. All residents need to join so we may have the option of taking certain things private if we need to. And hurry up and join so you can answer my question

Whoa.



Sorry everyone. I had no idea the can of worms I was opening with that post. I posted that comment publicly for two reasons:



First of all, it is no secret that the Meridian is an absolutely gorgeous building. This building is easily one of the finest developments in the area and I am absolutely ecstatic to be living here. I'm sure my fellow residents will agree. The developers certainly are to be commended for their fine work.



That said, ever since I have been involved with the Meridian (roughly a year and a half ago) I have had significant "communication problems" with those in charge. I have spent a substantial amount of time talking to my fellow residents, and nearly every SINGLE resident has voiced the same sort of frustrations. As a group, we have all been frustrated at having phone calls ignored, e-mails ignored, calls not returned, poor hours at the sales center, etc. This -- and my fellow resident/posters can correct me if I'm wrong -- might be the number one problem on our list of negatives in this otherwise enjoyable process. This is, unfortunately, an ongoing problem. I just talked to two of my neighbors today who have called those "in charge" with specific problems and basically been ignored.



In light of this shared frustration, I assure you, I'm not the only Meridian resident who would have taken offense at such a comment.



Secondly, I posted publicly because we all deserve to know what sort of services we are getting for our home-owner's fees. If the trash was over-flowing or the electricity was flickering, I'd also share that with my fellow residents. A private group is a fantastic idea, but until the rest of us really start using one, this is, perhaps unfortunately so, the most appropriate forum to voice shared concerns.



Ok. Private group for me from here on out.

Hi Harvey,



I don't want you to be offended or overhwelmed by the response. It was a very long day and I will publicly say that your email hit me differently when I read the email later than when I read it the first time.



The two things that I took from your posting was

1: you were bothered by the comment

2: you wanted to know who to call if there were a true emergency.



Unfortunately, the importance of the second point didn't hit me until later. The first one bothered me because you were absolutely indignant that we had not called you back in two hours about a TV delivery.



Even if we had reached you - the likelihood that we could have accommodated the delivery on such short notice was unlikely. The contractor is generally in the building until 3:00-3:30-4:00 each day. In addition, the likelihood that we could stop what we were doing to get to the building with such little notice is also unlikely.



We were indeed working in your building and frankly, my phone was off during the walk through. The reception for my Nextel while at the Meridian is poor - at best. Additoinally, I don't give my cell phone number out. The Meridian is the first project for which I have had to use my cell phone and frankly, I have had to learn to not answer it as residents have called me at 7:30 am and 11:30 pm. When we saw you, I had not yet received your message.



I can't comment on the availability of the sales office or the amount of response from anyone other than us. I can say that I can't recall a single email to us that has gone unanswered. I will say that we are slower on voicemail response because we are frequently out of the office and we try not intermingle our client's time. If we are working for "X" client today, then they get our focus.



From a resident's perspective, we can understand that it may be frustrating to not reach anyone. If we had continued with the plan to manage the building, you would have received a letter with a 24 hour maintenance number. In addition, the letter would have outlined what you should expect and what is considered an emergency.



From a management perspective, you would be amazed at the issues that people expect to be dealth with immediately. Just today, we got a call from someone that thought we should change the pendent light bulbs above their kitchen counter because they burnt out. And, yes, when we walk in and you appear to be shocked that we haven't returned your call in two hours ... it gives the air that we are expected to be available for every issue when you call. Do you call all of your clients back within a two hour window?



We did not know that the Meridian Residents' #1 issue is the lack of availablity of those "in charge". I certainly didn't make the comment based on anything except the fact that so many of the residents seem to get very impatient when we haven't returned their call inside an hour or two. A one or two hour call back timeframe is not realistic - no matter what your dues, unless it is a true emergency. And, as previously mentioned, if we were the management company you would have received a letter identifying the 24 hour emergency number.



I am taking the time, on this public site, to say that I may have jumped the gun with my initial response. I was, however, trying to give a full picture/understanding of the situation to everyone. Nonetheless, I understand your frustration when you feel you need to reach someone and can't. I can only say that we have made many attempts to call people back and respond to emails - as quickly as possible.



We also agree that the building is beautiful. The Developers have done a fantastic job and you all have chosen one of the best addresses on Washington Avenue. We wish you all the best with your building and have enjoyed working with you during the transition process - depsite the challenges.

Harvey_Birdman wrote:Whoa.



Sorry everyone. I had no idea the can of worms I was opening with that post. I posted that comment publicly for two reasons:



First of all, it is no secret that the Meridian is an absolutely gorgeous building. This building is easily one of the finest developments in the area and I am absolutely ecstatic to be living here. I'm sure my fellow residents will agree. The developers certainly are to be commended for their fine work.

That said, ever since I have been involved with the Meridian (roughly a year and a half ago) I have had significant "communication problems" with those in charge. I have spent a substantial amount of time talking to my fellow residents, and nearly every SINGLE resident has voiced the same sort of frustrations. As a group, we have all been frustrated at having phone calls ignored, e-mails ignored, calls not returned, poor hours at the sales center, etc. This -- and my fellow resident/posters can correct me if I'm wrong -- might be the number one problem on our list of negatives in this otherwise enjoyable process. This is, unfortunately, an ongoing problem. I just talked to two of my neighbors today who have called those "in charge" with specific problems and basically been ignored.



In light of this shared frustration, I assure you, I'm not the only Meridian resident who would have taken offense at such a comment.

Secondly, I posted publicly because we all deserve to know what sort of services we are getting for our home-owner's fees. If the trash was over-flowing or the electricity was flickering, I'd also share that with my fellow residents. A private group is a fantastic idea, but until the rest of us really start using one, this is, perhaps unfortunately so, the most appropriate forum to voice shared concerns.



Ok. Private group for me from here on out.

I just got off of the phone with someone in the sales office (Hip or Ohm) stating that there is not supposed to be a glass door in the shower of second bathrooms of the units. Is that weird to anyone or is it just me? Has anyone else heard otherwise??

OnceUponaSLU wrote:I just got off of the phone with someone in the sales office (Hip or Ohm) stating that there is not supposed to be a glass door in the shower of second bathrooms of the units. Is that weird to anyone or is it just me? Has anyone else heard otherwise??

IIRC, there is a approx 3/4 length glass partition. I would think that is enough.

pls delete

innov8ion wrote:Scrutinizer, do you have the 2nd bathroom with the glass partition? I do and I'm not sure how safe it is. The glass, itself, is not supported very well. What if you slipped in the shower and grabbed onto the glass? It could break and shatter, causing an emergency. I'm not familiar with best practices, but it does seem like it could be a safety issue.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:

OnceUponaSLU wrote:I just got off of the phone with someone in the sales office (Hip or Ohm) stating that there is not supposed to be a glass door in the shower of second bathrooms of the units. Is that weird to anyone or is it just me? Has anyone else heard otherwise??

IIRC, there is a approx 3/4 length glass partition. I would think that is enough.

I do. I would suspect (and hope!) that it is tempered glass.

I'm in a 10 unit and have a 2nd bathroom. In my opinion, 3/4 is not enough. You end up with water hitting the floor and the wall next to the exposed part of the shower. I guess it's my fault for assuming that the shower would be an enclosure (normal to me).



Water on the floor and on painted drywall is just something I can't stand. Especially after i get the floors done (water can be bad for some flooring).



And yes, the floor of the shower is definitely not safe.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:

innov8ion wrote:Scrutinizer, do you have the 2nd bathroom with the glass partition? I do and I'm not sure how safe it is. The glass, itself, is not supported very well. What if you slipped in the shower and grabbed onto the glass? It could break and shatter, causing an emergency. I'm not familiar with best practices, but it does seem like it could be a safety issue.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:

IIRC, there is a approx 3/4 length glass partition. I would think that is enough.

I do. I would suspect (and hope!) that it is tempered glass.

OnceUponaSLU wrote:And yes, the floor of the shower is definitely not safe.

Why not?

I am happy with my second bathroom and its glass. In fact, I had requested the glass instead of a shower rod in my master bath as well. While water does come out of the shower onto the floor and a bit onto the drywall, I have not had a problem quickly drying things after I get out and using temporary solutions to prevent the water from reaching the drywall. Ultimately we have a myriad of options for making that wall waterproof and a shower mat can easily eliminate any concerns about slipping on a slick floor. I think that this design was as near as the developers could come to the showroom open shower that I personally fell in love with. My criticisms and those of others I have spoken to were with the fact that the shower wasn't more open. I understood water might come out but I didn't see that as a problem, its water, not acid. I really preferred the aesthetic of the open shower and I think they tried to maintain that concept. As for the glass, it is not for leaning on nor is it a safety glass that you should expect to break some tragic fall. Regardless, I do not feel at all unsafe and have used that shower almost exclusively without incident. I think that if you want a sturdier enclosure, it would not be difficult or expensive to have some additional framing or whatever to sturdy the glass. It certainly would not be expensive to remove the glass and put up a shower rod.