urbanSTL

Planning Commission reviews this today.

^That's a bit harsh. Existing neighbors have every right to speak up about concerns they may have about what's happening in their 'hood. Dialog leads to understanding and compromise. Hopefully those directly involved can work things out and nobody will have to leave.

^Making an argument against density and in favor of parking in one of the most urban and dense neighborhoods in the city is selfish and short sighted. There are plenty of places in the metro that are quite hospitable to selfish and short sighted individuals. I don't personally care to see my neighborhood turn into one of them.

This proposed plan follows the form and function of the surrounding area. It provides a very high use case for a vacant building and adjacent vacant lot. It will expand the tax base and create a more vibrant community. Arguing against something that disrupts the fabric of the neighborhood and reduces the economic impact of the parcel is one thing. Arguing against this is the opposite and reeks of that heinous women spending her dying years stifling progress in the CWE.

If someone doesn't like it, they aren't living in the right place. That's their fault, not the rest of ours.

^^ i'm all for listening to *valid* concerns (public rights of way, appropriate zoning, etc.) but 90% of the time the "concerns" are just selfish, out-of-touch bullsh*t: OMG not enough parking! But where will the squirrels live?!

Any updates circling around here? Hoping this one will be progressing sooner rather than later as MoFo gets buttoned up.

newstl2020 wrote:Any updates circling around here? Hoping this one will be progressing sooner rather than later as MoFo gets buttoned up.

As I’ve said before, I was last told that this project is on hold until material costs, interest rates and labor rates come down a little. Labor may not come down, but the other two may.

chriss752 wrote:

newstl2020 wrote:Any updates circling around here? Hoping this one will be progressing sooner rather than later as MoFo gets buttoned up.

As I’ve said before, I was last told that this project is on hold until material costs, interest rates and labor rates come down a little. Labor may not come down, but the other two may.

Ha, all three will come down if there is a recession...

That's really unfortunate.  I was hoping MoFo would lead to other projects on the street gaining steam quickly.  Anyone know anything about the building on the Northeast corner of Wyoming and Morgan Ford?  Really neat 2-3 story building with a turret, but it looks mostly boarded up.  Seems like a great opportunity.

I love that building, but yeah, definitely boarded up. 

chriss752 wrote:

newstl2020 wrote:Any updates circling around here? Hoping this one will be progressing sooner rather than later as MoFo gets buttoned up.

As I’ve said before, I was last told that this project is on hold until material costs, interest rates and labor rates come down a little. Labor may not come down, but the other two may.

Interesting. From Jul of 2018 to now materials costs have cratered. Spot Lumber has gone from ~$625 to $361 this morning. Interest rates across the board are all touching historical lows. Labor has remained steady for the most part.

If what you say is accurate, I would take that to mean this is dead. That, or they are rushing to commence as quickly as possible.

Something doesn’t add up.

newstl2020 wrote:

chriss752 wrote:

newstl2020 wrote:Any updates circling around here? Hoping this one will be progressing sooner rather than later as MoFo gets buttoned up.

As I’ve said before, I was last told that this project is on hold until material costs, interest rates and labor rates come down a little. Labor may not come down, but the other two may.

Interesting. From Jul of 2018 to now materials costs have cratered. Spot Lumber has gone from ~$625 to $361 this morning. Interest rates across the board are all touching historical lows. Labor has remained steady for the most part.

If what you say is accurate, I would take that to mean this is dead. That, or they are rushing to commence as quickly as possible.

Something doesn’t add up.

It makes zero sense that they’re waiting for material prices to go down. If material prices go down it’s part of a bigger reason which in turn would lower demand for what they’re building. This project is dead

Maybe we'll luck out and they'll just sell it to another developer who can get the job done.  Hopefully they don't land bank this thing for a decade and let it deteriorate further.

Somebody better tell these guys the NGA, Convention Center, and MLS stadium alone will be bringing several billion in new construction shortly. Labor only is going to go up, up, up. Unless everything falls, in which case it doesn't matter.

^^^ SouthCityJR, that building is occupied up top with an apartment(s) but it would be nice to get the ground floor occupied.

newstl2020 wrote:

chriss752 wrote: As I’ve said before, I was last told that this project is on hold until material costs, interest rates and labor rates come down a little. Labor may not come down, but the other two may.

Interesting. From Jul of 2018 to now materials costs have cratered. Spot Lumber has gone from ~$625 to $361 this morning. Interest rates across the board are all touching historical lows. Labor has remained steady for the most part.  If what you say is accurate, I would take that to mean this is dead. That, or they are rushing to commence as quickly as possible.  Something doesn’t add up.

Translation:  Labor costs are too high, the return is too low and / or they can't get financing; none of which are things a developer would state explicitly.  There's no blowback in pointing the finger at material costs and interest rates.

STLrainbow wrote: Somebody better tell these guys the NGA, Convention Center, and MLS stadium alone will be bringing several billion in new construction shortly. Labor only is going to go up, up, up. Unless everything falls, in which case it doesn't matter.

^^^ SouthCityJR, that building is occupied up top with an apartment(s) but it would be nice to get the ground floor occupied.

If everything falls, everything is DOA. Certainly accurate.

I did not know this building was in use. With you on the ground floor. That would make such a difference in the transition from Amsterdam Morganford toward Alpha Brewing Morganford. Any idea what the interior setup on the first floor looks like or was/is geared towards?

^^^Not sure what the interior looks like, but there is some sort of 1 story addition extending off the back (east side of the building) towards the alley.  Maybe a garage?  In keeping with the Road Crew coffee/bicycle shop concept, this could make an excellent donut/motorcycle shop!

^ I'm not sure either; the online permit records have a number of businesses over the years but that also includes the other building on the site.... a laundrymat may have been there, but not sure.

Anyway, even if the addition to the 3201 building doesn't happen, at least getting it back in service along with the first floor of the one we've been talking about that would be a very nice addition to Morgan Ford.... sort of like a ball club getting some key players back on the roster from injured reserve. The cupcake/dog treat spaces also should be opening before the decade is over.

Did this get bigger? Or is it just that we haven't seen renderings of the back part of it?

http://jemastl.com/news-index/2020/7/18/juxtapose

I think it’s just because we didn’t see the back portion


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Ah finally someone posted this, I didn't know what thread to put it in! Anyway looks really good; I am a big fan of Jema Architects.

First, I'm really glad to see some evidence this project is still moving forward. Second . . . 

That's a VW Karmann Ghia! At least, I'm pretty sure that's what it is. In a contemporary rendering. Interesting little easter-egg.

chriss752 wrote: ↑

Aug 22, 2020

I think it’s just because we didn’t see the back portion


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it appears to be attached to the corner building now. didn't you say at one point that a resident of the corner building opposed the development (something about where will the squirrels live)? has the owner/developer maybe acquired the corner building since then?