urbanSTL

I'm really glad I'm not serving on any committees with the contributers to this topic, because nothing would ever get done. This topic isn't about mulch or one way streets or wide sidewalks or Boise, Idaho. It's about the new Roberts Condos. If you don't have any information to contribute to the topic, then shouldn't you go somewhere else to discuss your issue?



I check out the topics that have current activity thinking I'll find out what's happening with that topic and it seldom works out that way. When I open this topic I want news about the Roberts Condos, period. Isn't that what this is supposed to be about?

^ When there's not really any new information on a subject property and people are still interested in it, people tend to talk about related, ancillary topics. This organic style has worked pretty well in the past and is great for generating ideas that can be of greater benefit to the community.



Also, I've found that I can make life more pleasant just by lessening my expectations of the world around me. Maybe you can too.

bpe235 wrote:

Animal wrote:

MattnSTL wrote:That's why it's still a theory, it often doesn't work. I would personally rather have wide sidewalks for cafe's to have outdoor seating. Preserves the street, gives room for retail to flow out, and it likely slows traffic instead of the traffic never even seeing the places.

That would work just fine. No need to have four lanes of street in front of the Schnucks and OPO when it doesn't get that much traffic. Maybe two lanes with much wider sidewalks.

Sounds good, but when schnucks moves in, I suspect the traffic will pick up significantly.

Don't you think most of the downtown Schnucks customers will be walk-in? There isn't much parking on 9th between Olive and Locust.



I understand Boise is smaller than St Louis, but I don't see one block of 9th street as being that critical to downtown congestion releif. Until we can figure out a more efficient way to get the Hoosiers back over the bridge at night, our congestions issues will remain/increase.



Oh yeah.... Roberts Condos, Roberts Condos, Roberts Condos.

innov8ion wrote:^ When there's not really any new information on a subject property and people are still interested in it, people tend to talk about related, ancillary topics. This organic style has worked pretty well in the past and is great for generating ideas that can be of greater benefit to the community.

^While there is some truth in this, the project related threads are best when they stay as close to topic as possible. When they stray, at some point they lose their informational value & purpose. Which gives the forum less value & purpose. That is why general discussion areas are available.

innov8ion wrote:^ When there's not really any new information on a subject property and people are still interested in it, people tend to talk about related, ancillary topics. This organic style has worked pretty well in the past and is great for generating ideas that can be of greater benefit to the community.



Also, I've found that I can make life more pleasant just by lessening my expectations of the world around me. Maybe you can too.

If you want to PM me with all of the great ideas that have materialized in greater benefits to the community as a result of your "organic style" of communication, I'd love to hear about them, but the truth is this site is basically a gabfest for people that like to talk and many of them don't stick to the topic at hand.



I love to hear posts about someone that's gone by a construction site and has a current update about that site or photos of the site. I hate to hear posts about, for example, someone ranting about there being too many parking ramps downtown. Doesn't it make sense that if there were too many ramps they wouldn't turn a profit and it'd be the end of ramp building? And if there are delays in the construction of the Roberts Condos, couldn't it be because they want to be sure it's economically feasible? I don't mind people having opinions on here, but so many of them are negative and oftentimes have little real merit.



For those of us that aren't Master Experts (I wish they'd drop both the number of posts and the silly titles that go with them from our screen names) and never will be, we'd like to be able to visit a topic and hear about that topic. Most of the time that doesn't happen. I didn't think my comment was off base at all and I don't think it's too much to expect that people try to stay on topic.

I was in town this weekend and drove by the massive banner downtown. Wow - all I have to say is that is something to see in person. It's huge! I also noticed a billboard for the project driving east on 40 just before getting to the downtown area.



Good to see the tower being advertised - now let's just hope for some news on ground breaking soon!

DownStLFan, I don't see how making a jab at Innov8ion & the forum helps your goal of keeping this thread on topic. Especially right after my plea to keep the thread on topic.



Back on topic please!



Edit: I see Metzga already brought this thread on topic. Thanks!

Downtown STL Fan wrote:I love to hear posts about someone that's gone by a construction site and has a current update about that site or photos of the site. I hate to hear posts about, for example, someone ranting about there being too many parking ramps downtown. I don't mind people having opinions on here, but so many of them are negative and oftentimes have little real merit.



For those of us that aren't Master Experts (I wish they'd drop both the number of posts and the silly titles that go with them from our screen names) and never will be, we'd like to be able to visit a topic and hear about that topic. Most of the time that doesn't happen. I didn't think my comment was off base at all and I don't think it's too much to expect that people try to stay on topic.

I was defending people's rights to speak about topics that were related to the Robert's project. Regarding organic discussions, there are many examples of thoughts tangential to a given project that are value-added and make the discussion as a whole richer. If it expands to a given point, then it can easily be split into its own thread. If you'd like some examples, try spending more time reading the threads than being crass toward others. It's not necessary for you to be rude in order to argue a given point.



You see, if this board were run by you, there would be no personality and minimal posts because true development updates are simply few and far between. We are all aware that developers and politicians keep news and updates close to the cuff.



Have you heard of Ballpark Village? Actual news has been minimal yet there are over 130 pages of information on here. So if you want to criticize someone, try criticizing every single member. And while you're at it, don't forget yourself, either.



If you desire to attack me, you may send a private message. It's wholly inappropriate to start a flame war on this board. Apparently you don't mind being hypocritical, because your message had nothing to do with the Robert's project. For shame!



Mods, I respectfully request that you delete downtownstl's crass response on Thursday July 26th @ 9:12pm and all those related to it including this one. Thx!

I will, in due time.



The reason we let topics slide a little is because of the reason stated above. We wait around for news, but sometimes it's good to talk about other related issues. We have tried the very strict method in the beginning a couple years back with just posts about a development, but it gets a little boring around here. We instead allow a small amount of discussion that is not specifically on topic, but still related. After a few posts about it, the thread is redirected back to the original topic. We will often split posts off as well or move them to the appropriate topic. Unfortunately this all takes time and effort. We basically try to balance keeping a topic on track and not being too strict at the same time. No one will always be satisfied with every moderation choice made, but we try to strike a balance. Also, a post by a moderator saying to get back on topic means exactly that. Please do it.



If anyone dislikes how anything is going on the board or if something is getting too far off topic, please let me know either through email or PM. I want to know what people are thinking whether it's good or bad. I'm happy to hear your criticism as well as letting us know if we are doing something good.

TheWayoftheArch wrote:


You are aware that this Schnucks we're discussing potentially increasing traffic will be nestled into the bottom of a 9 STORY PARKING GARAGE...right?

I live a block away, so yes I am. I am also aware that parking garage is adjacent to the Syndicate which will have hundreds of people living in it starting in October....then there's the Arcade and Chemical Buildings after that. I am also aware that the downtown Schnucks Grocery store is aimed at the increasing number of downtown residents who live within walking distance. City Grocers has a parking lot, but I would hazard a guess that the majority of their customers are walk-in. And is that 9 story garage open to the public? From what I can tell it is not.



To make everyone happy...

Anyone know when they will start developing the lot next to the Orpheum? Anyone seen any renderings? Hopefully they won't wait until after the new tower is complete, but that's my guess. They'll want that lot to using for staging during the construction of the new tower.

Animal wrote:Anyone know when they will start developing the lot next to the Orpheum? Anyone seen any renderings? Hopefully they won't wait until after the new tower is complete, but that's my guess. They'll want that lot to using for staging during the construction of the new tower.

Construction was supposed to start in mid-July...



There's a thread on Old Post Office Plaza in the Projects and Construction section that has some renderings: http://www.urbanstl.com/viewtopic.php?t=2756

It would be great if someone could get pics of the billboard & other advertising.

TheWayoftheArch wrote:

Animal wrote:

TheWayoftheArch wrote:


You are aware that this Schnucks we're discussing potentially increasing traffic will be nestled into the bottom of a 9 STORY PARKING GARAGE...right?

I live a block away, so yes I am. I am also aware that parking garage is adjacent to the Syndicate which will have hundreds of people living in it starting in October....then there's the Arcade and Chemical Buildings after that. I am also aware that the downtown Schnucks Grocery store is aimed at the increasing number of downtown residents who live within walking distance. City Grocers has a parking lot, but I would hazard a guess that the majority of their customers are walk-in. And is that 9 story garage open to the public? From what I can tell it is not.

The 1,065-space garage will be on the site of the Century Building at Olive and Ninth streets downtown. It will serve the $77 million Old Post Office redevelopment, as well as neighboring office, residential and retail properties.



I think there will be enough...

I never said there wouldn't be enough parking. I was saying it is my opinion it would be nice to make 9th between locust and olive into a patio area that it would tie in nicely to the increased foot traffic that will result from the boom in the number of residential units that will appear in the OPO district over the next 24 months. Apparently I'm not an experienced enough urban planner to suggest such a thing. Bad idea. Sorry.

Here we come to the point were I say get back on topic again.

when I worked for company X, I learned of their support for the demo of the century for the lone reasone that parking was needed there for the Syndicate, PB, Arcade, Alexa, BOE, and OPO etc. You'd be surprised at how many of those spaces are already accounted for.

The banner reads 2009. Is that STARTING in 2009 or COMPLETION in 2009? At this point I have to believe they are looking at opening in 2009, if at all.



There has been next to no promotion for this other than the banner. Does anyone else doubt this project is moving forward? I just don't see that there is a huge demand for information age residences with Manhattan amenities. Especially not is conservative ol' St. Louie.



I hope I'm wrong.

fireman wrote:The banner reads 2009. Is that STARTING in 2009 or COMPLETION in 2009? At this point I have to believe they are looking at opening in 2009, if at all.



There has been next to no promotion for this other than the banner. Does anyone else doubt this project is moving forward? I just don't see that there is a huge demand for information age residences with Manhattan amenities. Especially not is conservative ol' St. Louie.



I hope I'm wrong.

Two huge billboards on the 64/40 seems like heavy promotion to me.

Especially not is conservative ol' St. Louie.

I HATE that f ing myth.

I believe this building is going to be a huge success. If the Roberts follow through with everything that's been mentioned, and keep the design as sexy as it is, who wouldn't want to live in that building?