Not in Texas.
I think it'd be legal in Florida... they just passed a 'protect your home' law or something.
The people who set these fires shouldn't be shot... they should have their legs broken.
The people who set these fires shouldn't be shot... they should have their legs broken.
Suspicious blazes damage two Lafayette Square projects
By Jeremy Kohler
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/14/2006
Firefighters battle the blaze in the roof of a building under construction at the corner of Mississippi Avenue and Kennett Place early Wednesday morning.
( David Carson/P-D)
UPDATE at 12:20 p.m.:
St. Louis fire and police officials were investigating two suspicious blazes this morning that heavily damaged unfinished construction projects in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, south of downtown.
Nobody was injured.
The first fire, reported at 4:43 a.m., destroyed five residential and three commercial units that were called the Vail Place Townhomes, at Vail Place and Park Avenue. The second, at 5:20 a.m., was at the Mississippi Place apartments, about two blocks south, at Lafayette and Mississippi avenues. It appeared that one unit there was destroyed and two damaged.
Capt. Steve Simpson of the St. Louis Fire Department said the causes of the blazes were not yet determined. He would not speculate on any connection between them.
Officials also would not say if they suspect a link to a large fire that destroyed the shell of the Compton Gates Condominium development, at 2201 South Grand Boulevard, also under construction, about 4 a.m. April 27. The Compton Gates blaze, with damage estimated at $3 million, was ruled arson but no arrests have been made.
Vail Place is being built for Parkside Development. Mississippi Place was being built for The Gilded Age.
Peter L. Snyder, president of the Lafayette Square Business Association, said both projects were insured and that developers said they would be rebuild.
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By Jeremy Kohler
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/14/2006
Firefighters battle the blaze in the roof of a building under construction at the corner of Mississippi Avenue and Kennett Place early Wednesday morning.
( David Carson/P-D)
UPDATE at 12:20 p.m.:
St. Louis fire and police officials were investigating two suspicious blazes this morning that heavily damaged unfinished construction projects in the Lafayette Square neighborhood, south of downtown.
Nobody was injured.
The first fire, reported at 4:43 a.m., destroyed five residential and three commercial units that were called the Vail Place Townhomes, at Vail Place and Park Avenue. The second, at 5:20 a.m., was at the Mississippi Place apartments, about two blocks south, at Lafayette and Mississippi avenues. It appeared that one unit there was destroyed and two damaged.
Capt. Steve Simpson of the St. Louis Fire Department said the causes of the blazes were not yet determined. He would not speculate on any connection between them.
Officials also would not say if they suspect a link to a large fire that destroyed the shell of the Compton Gates Condominium development, at 2201 South Grand Boulevard, also under construction, about 4 a.m. April 27. The Compton Gates blaze, with damage estimated at $3 million, was ruled arson but no arrests have been made.
Vail Place is being built for Parkside Development. Mississippi Place was being built for The Gilded Age.
Peter L. Snyder, president of the Lafayette Square Business Association, said both projects were insured and that developers said they would be rebuild.
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Letter to editor Write letter to editor
- 1,054
This is crazy that idiots are setting fire and could possibly slow down the development of the southside.
One wonder if they are drunk/looking for "fun" college students like those who burned 10 Alabama churches?
One wonder if they are drunk/looking for "fun" college students like those who burned 10 Alabama churches?
This sounds too sophisticated for drunks or such. I'm no expert on the subject, but several pops were heard before the fire started (did I hear the same thing about Compton Gates on Grand Ave.??)...wouldn't that indicate some kind of detination device was used?
These projects employed union labor, so I don't see any reason to suspect a union connection, although a thorough investigation should not rule out anyone.
When and if the culprit is found, I hope the most severe punishment allowed be law be carried out on this sicko. Hundreds of lives were put in jeopardy as well as millions of dollars of damage done. Sicko.
These projects employed union labor, so I don't see any reason to suspect a union connection, although a thorough investigation should not rule out anyone.
When and if the culprit is found, I hope the most severe punishment allowed be law be carried out on this sicko. Hundreds of lives were put in jeopardy as well as millions of dollars of damage done. Sicko.
I believe the tally is torched union projects 1, torched non-union projects 2.
- 101
bry456 wrote: "Peter L. Snyder, president of the Lafayette Square Business Association, said both projects were insured and that developers said they would be rebuild."
^From PD Article^
Thats good news. They still need security though.
Life goes on! They've finished the steel frame for the commercial portion of this project. It looks great. This will be a great addition to Lafayette Square's commercial zone.
I think it'd be legal in Florida... they just passed a 'protect your home' law or something.
The people who set these fires shouldn't be shot... they should have their legs broken. Shocked
Hmm, and Florida just posted its lowest crime ratings since 1971? Interesting.. Anyway, has construction started again on this project? I can't wait until they find the guy that did this..
The people who set these fires shouldn't be shot... they should have their legs broken. Shocked
Hmm, and Florida just posted its lowest crime ratings since 1971? Interesting.. Anyway, has construction started again on this project? I can't wait until they find the guy that did this..
^Well, as I just said, the steel frame has been erected on the commercial portion...
Looks like the new framing is already going up on the burnt-out side! They must have a much better insurance agency than Compton Gate has.
- 5,433
Framer wrote:They must have a much better insurance agency than Compton Gate has.
^ Funny. I said the exact same thing to my wife when we drove by the site today!
Both projects are being developed by virtually the same company. Comtpton Gates has also started some construction as of last week. Looks like both will be built!
What are those little house looking things? Are they set back and behind this property? I hope so, it doesn't seem to fit in with the depth and height of the rest of the project. I'd be disappointed if those were the 1 story retail going in shown in the rendering.
- 359
I hope they've invested in 24 hour monitoring and security. I hope whoever burned down those developments goes to Hell.
Not to worry, Trent. Those "house things" are the garages for the townhomes. They have "auto doors" facing an alley, and "people doors" facing the townhomes. They should be invisible once the townhouses go up.
The retail will go in the first floor of the steel-framed structure seen in Jambo's photos. All of the retail will face Park Av., and will nicely expand Lafayette Square's commercial district.
The retail will go in the first floor of the steel-framed structure seen in Jambo's photos. All of the retail will face Park Av., and will nicely expand Lafayette Square's commercial district.
Thanks for posting those pics, Jambo. Great to see this project moving along. I'm really relieved that developers haven't been put off by arsonists, as at first I had great concern that the fires would put a damper on development here and other parts of the city. I'm relieved my fears have been disolved.
Thanks Framer. I was wondering why they had doors like a little hovel.
Was just down there today while driving around town. I thought the neighborhood really looks good, and this project is much more a part of the streetscape then I realized. Looks like it will be a nice contribution.
This place is looking really good. The first commercial tenants have opened on the first floor.
- 390
Shocked wrote:Love the new stores on Park...
Isn't that just about the most handsom new construction you've seen in a while? Certainly it's the best looking new storefront commerical iexteriors!
Duffy Nernburger do the best job of anybody getting the tone right on historic infill development. Apparently they are in better shape than I earlier thought. 3 of the 5 townhomes are sold.
I might suggest they put sold stickers out to increase the buyer's sense of urgency. But hey they re the pros.
The now have a sign posted for similar units on Park behind St Vincents Church.
The stuff they have done in Soulard and now Vail Pl far exceeds some of the stuff that was allowed in Lafayette.
I might suggest they put sold stickers out to increase the buyer's sense of urgency. But hey they re the pros.
The now have a sign posted for similar units on Park behind St Vincents Church.
The stuff they have done in Soulard and now Vail Pl far exceeds some of the stuff that was allowed in Lafayette.