urbanSTL

I didn't see anyone post this article yet......

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument



Vote on Noah's Ark proposal put off in St. Charles

By Tim Bryant

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

07/25/2006



ST. CHARLES



City Council members will meet next week to discuss details of plans for a massive redevelopment of the area centered on the former Noah's Ark restaurant.



.....



"This is an amazing plan," she said. "There are no two ways about it. I don't want to see it stopped or go down. No one here tonight . . . doesn't like this project."



Other council members said they were ready to approve the development, which is proposed to be built in phases by Greg Whittaker, the builder of New Town on the north side of St. Charles.



....



The $300 million mixed-use plan for the Noah's Ark area is similar in size to Ballpark Village, which is planned for downtown St. Louis, Councilman Rory Riddler said. He said he has heard no opposition to the Noah's Ark proposal.



....



The proposal is preferable to a big-box store, such as a Wal-Mart, Councilman Joe Koester said. ***duh***



"I want this to be something to be proud of," he said. "I just don't want to see this get away from us."



In the end, council members agreed to meet Monday to discuss details of Whittaker's proposal. Attorney Brad Goss, representing Whittaker, noted that city officials have now had the fourth draft of the development agreement for a month. He said Whittaker is hoping for city approval soon.



....

tbspqr wrote:The proposal is preferable to a big-box store, such as a Wal-Mart, Councilman Joe Koester said.

St. Charles is such a joke. Where else would a "mixed used" development be centered around a Walmart.

Urban Elitist wrote:

tbspqr wrote:The proposal is preferable to a big-box store, such as a Wal-Mart, Councilman Joe Koester said.

St. Charles is such a joke. Where else would a "mixed used" development be centered around a Walmart.

I'm confused.... They are saying that they don't want a Wal-Mart and would prefer a mixed-use development that is not centered around a big-box store... like Wal-Mart.



So... what are you talking about?

They are saying its NOT going to be based around a Wal-Mart... or any other big box stores (thats what I get from this story).... a residential tower and some smaller retail and an aquatic center etc... but no Best Buy/Wal-mart/etc....

^Ah you're right. It'll be nice to see if this comes to fruition and even if they somehow connect it to their plans for their DT area. St. Charles might actually have an interesting area then.

Another article in the St. Charles Suburban Journal yesterday looks like primarily a rehash of the previous article in the PD.



Mayor Patti York, as well as council members Michael Weller, Ward 5, Mark Brown, Ward 3, Bob Hoepfner, Ward 10, and Council President Bob Kneemiller, Ward 4 are the ones that are sitting on the fence in regards to the project. They want more details although they did say that the documentation they had was better than the draft they received at the previous meeting.



The City Council is supposed to meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall to go over the plan in more detail.



The rezoning and annexation portions of the plan will be up for final approval at the Aug. 1 meeting. **crossing fingers**

Urban Elitist wrote:^Ah you're right. It'll be nice to see if this comes to fruition and even if they somehow connect it to their plans for their DT area. St. Charles might actually have an interesting area then.

Yeah, maybe then we can become the "new Chesterfield" like some idiot said in the Post about a month ago about Main Street in DT St. Charles....that still makes me laugh everytime I think about it!



If St. Charles city council doesn't get this done, they are just plain lazy and/or stupid.



And I bet Ameristar will have something to say about the "150 room hotel."

From the Post today...



St. Charles council, developer reach accord



ST. CHARLES



The City Council reached a compromise late Monday night to move forward with a major redevelopment of the area around the old Noah's Ark restaurant.



City Council members and officials spent nearly four hours discussing sewers, water lines, curb cuts and legal language in a proposed agreement between Whittaker Builders and the city. Whittaker has proposed a $300 million commercial and residential development around the former restaurant on Fifth Street south of Interstate 70.



One major sticking point Monday night was a provision that would have required all tap fees generated by the development to be used to install or improve water and sewer lines related to the project. Brad Goss, an attorney for Whittaker, said the developer would be paying for improvements through the tap fees.



But Councilman Mark Brown said he felt the developer should be able to use tax-increment financing funds or some other type of funding to pay if the sewer and water lines were not adequate.



Councilman Rory Riddler said the tap-on fees all go into the same fund anyway, and the city already needs to make improvements to lines that will serve the proposed development. He proposed a line in the agreement giving the city discretion to apply the fees, and the change was made.



The council agreed on about 25 changes to the proposed agreement.



City Administrator Allan Williams said the council now can take up the bill for final approval on Aug. 8.

Article from yesterday's Post -Dispatch



Plan for Noah's Ark site advances

By Jonathan Rivoli

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

08/08/2006



ST. CHARLES



A proposed $300 million development around the old Noah's Ark site took a major step forward Tuesday night as the St. Charles City Council approved rezoning the area.



The developer's plan calls for as many as 1,000 condominiums, including an 18-story residential tower, along with shops and restaurants. Also included would be an ice skating rink, movie theater and hotel.



The project would be situated around the former restaurant-hotel on Fifth Street, south of Interstate 70.



One measure approved Tuesday calls for part of the property to be annexed into St. Charles so the entire development would receive city services. A second rezones the Noah's Ark area to allow both residential and commercial buildings in a plot that was previously designated to allow only commercial structures.



But before work can begin, council members must consider a request by Whittaker Builders, the potential developer of the site, for a tax-increment financing district. Such districts allow the use of expected future tax revenue to make immediate improvements necessary for the development.



Whittaker's plan isn't connected with a separate $500 million riverfront housing and entertainment project being promoted by another developer, Michael Sellenschuetter. That plan would be along the riverfront east of the Noah's Ark site and would stretch between the I-70 and Page Avenue bridges.



In other action, council members also voted to call an election allowing city residents to reconsider on Nov. 7 whether the city should be operated with a full-time mayor with no city administrator.



In 2004, voters narrowly passed an amendment to eliminate the city administrator and change the mayor's position from a part-time job to the full-time head of city operations. It would take effect in April after the next mayoral election.



"It was really kind of shuffled through the last time it was put on the ballot," said 3rd Ward Councilman Mark Brown. "Allowing the people to speak is very important."



The council also approved spending $50,000 to hold a second annual exhibit, called Art in Public Places. The exhibit, which is co-sponsored by the Foundry Art Centre, is an effort to beautify the city by providing a forum to choose art for public display.



In its inaugural year, the art contest garnered 41 entries, 10 of which are currently displayed across the city.[/url]

^ What is the $500 million development between it and page?

bpe235 wrote:^ What is the $500 million development between it and page?

Michael Sellenschuetter wants to create a mixed-use development, including a marina, shops, restaurants, offices, condos, and potentially a hotel that would stretch from the Blanchette Memorial Bridge at Interstate 70 to the Family Arena. They would connect to Bangert Island via bridges and re-route the Katy Trail across the island as well.



Article from May here



Short article from yesterday's Post-Dispatch

digitalcaffeine wrote:

bpe235 wrote:^ What is the $500 million development between it and page?

Michael Sellenschuetter wants to create a mixed-use development, including a marina, shops, restaurants, offices, condos, and potentially a hotel that would stretch from the Blanchette Memorial Bridge at Interstate 70 to the Family Arena. They would connect to Bangert Island via bridges and re-route the Katy Trail across the island as well.



Article from May here



Short article from yesterday's Post-Dispatch

Are any plans available on this? I thought I remembered seeing something a long time ago...

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... cus10.html



I saw this in the Bizjournal

I can't read the rest of that bizjournal article since I am not a paying subscriber. What else does it say besides mentioning demolition of the old Noah's Ark site? Does it mention anything about the 18 story residential building? I hope that isn't scaled back, it would be a pity if it was reduced to 11 floors. Has the city of St Charles approved this project?

i like how they now call this "west county"

One of West County's best-known faded landmarks will soon give way to what's expected to be a bustling development.

^ That's an annoying trend. I guess it's their way of trying to calm people's fears about driving west on Interstates 64 and 70.



Mercedes-Benz of Progress Point (in Weldon Spring) uses "West County" and "St. Louis" to identify its location. And I've seen housing developments in Jefferson County (Imperial, Pevely, Arnold, etc.) that boast about their "South County" location.



Maybe I'm being ridiculous, but I feel like I'm in a completely different world when I cross the Missouri and Meramec rivers.

^Well, yeah, but I'm glad to see them acknowledge their ties to St. Louis, at least.

^ Yeah, I guess I can't fault them for that. I'm used to businesses in St. Louis County doing this (St. Louis Acura or Lexus of St. Louis, for example). I guess it's only a good thing when a business west of the Missouri River still wants to associate itself so closely with Saint Louis, even if it is only in name.

I am very interested in this project because my husband and I are looking for an urban setting in our next home/condo/townhouse purchase. I haven't seen any progress at Noah's Ark even though they say ground has been broken. ShowME Aqautic Fitness still has their admin offices in the run down hotel that is there - will they be sticking around? ShowME owns the land (I think) so are they selling to Whittaker or is he just developing? The Show Me aquatic website indicates there will be a large aquatic center development there but no talk of a commercial/residential developement. I would really like to see Whittaker's plans go through. I may be in the minority here when I say I like New Town but my problem with it is that it is in the middle of nowhere whereas Noah's Ark would be closer to everyday things and entertainment venues.

wannabeurban wrote:I am very interested in this project because my husband and I are looking for an urban setting in our next home/condo/townhouse purchase. I haven't seen any progress at Noah's Ark even though they say ground has been broken. ShowME Aqautic Fitness still has their admin offices in the run down hotel that is there - will they be sticking around? ShowME owns the land (I think) so are they selling to Whittaker or is he just developing? The Show Me aquatic website indicates there will be a large aquatic center development there but no talk of a commercial/residential developement. I would really like to see Whittaker's plans go through. I may be in the minority here when I say I like New Town but my problem with it is that it is in the middle of nowhere whereas Noah's Ark would be closer to everyday things and entertainment venues.

Is there a reason you are not considering moving to STL for a true urban experience?

Is there a reason you are not considering moving to STL for a true urban experience?

We have considered it - moving in or closer to the city. I wouldn't rule it out yet but I work in Saint Charles so unless I change jobs, I prefer to live closer to where I work. It basically comes down to commuting - I hate commuting and my husband would also prefer to drive less. Moving into the city doesn't necessarily help the commute problem. Why o why did Saint Charles vote down metrolink?!?! We are living in suburbia now and we just don't care for it. Drive, drive, drive everywhere. We moved here about a year and a half ago (housing in Wentzville was cheaper) and had to move in a hurry because of a job and now we have the time to look for what we want - it won't be a huge lawn on a cul-de-sac!

wannabeurban wrote: We have considered it - moving in or closer to the city. I wouldn't rule it out yet but I work in Saint Charles so unless I change jobs, I prefer to live closer to where I work. It basically comes down to commuting - I hate commuting and my husband would also prefer to drive less. Moving into the city doesn't necessarily help the commute problem. We are living in suburbia now and we just don't care for it. Drive, drive, drive everywhere. We moved here about a year and a half ago (housing in Wentzville was cheaper) and had to move in a hurry because of a job and now we have the time to look for what we want - it won't be a huge lawn on a cul-de-sac!

That makes sense. Guess you better get on monster.com!

Why o why did Saint Charles vote down metrolink?!?!

Due to fear and mis-information, peppered with a bit of stupidity.

I am glad to hear that you want to live near where you work so as to reduce transportation costs as much as possible and still desire more urbanized living. Having you considered a historic house in the City of St. Charles? What about one of their condo/loft buildings? More like Noah's Ark wil come to St. Charles in the future because people like you show a demand and developers have tried but these agreements are difficult both in details and politics.