It appears as though the westernmost third of the parking-lot-that-will-not-die is closed off with sawhorses and caution tape. Not sure what that means...
Probably risk of soil slump. Really wondering what is going on behind the scenes with regard to this lot. And it's connection to 1900 Olive.urbanitas wrote: ↑Sep 25, 2020It appears as though the westernmost third of the parking-lot-that-will-not-die is closed off with sawhorses and caution tape. Not sure what that means...
Or at least that's what the owner may try to claim:STLinCHI wrote: ↑Sep 26, 2020Probably risk of soil slump. Really wondering what is going on behind the scenes with regard to this lot. And it's connection to 1900 Olive.urbanitas wrote: ↑Sep 25, 2020It appears as though the westernmost third of the parking-lot-that-will-not-die is closed off with sawhorses and caution tape. Not sure what that means...
"Oh nos, there's cracks in my formerly pristine asphalt parking lot - cars and people gonna slide into oblivion! We can't use it!"
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Hello All,
Here's some photos of the MLS site from today. Also, they've blocked Olive & 20th. This wasn't the case the other day, so presumably they're prepping for the demo of the 4 buildings in the 1900 block of Olive for the parking garage.
I'll also post photos of the NGA site in the proper forum.
Here's some photos of the MLS site from today. Also, they've blocked Olive & 20th. This wasn't the case the other day, so presumably they're prepping for the demo of the 4 buildings in the 1900 block of Olive for the parking garage.
I'll also post photos of the NGA site in the proper forum.
+1
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Olive is blocked from 18th to 20th due to protests in front of the police HQ on Thursday night that went from 6:00 to 9:00 and nobody knows about it because like pretty much all protests, people exercised their first amendment rights and went home
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Ah, I see. When I drove by the buildings a few days ago, there was a dumpster in the back lot. I assumed then they were getting ready for demo. Thanks for the info.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Sep 27, 2020Olive is blocked from 18th to 20th due to protests in front of the police HQ on Thursday night that went from 6:00 to 9:00 and nobody knows about it because like pretty much all protests, people exercised their first amendment rights and went home
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The building facing Pine was demolished this week- nothing on Olive yet.frequentflyer wrote: ↑Sep 27, 2020Ah, I see. When I drove by the buildings a few days ago, there was a dumpster in the back lot. I assumed then they were getting ready for demo. Thanks for the info.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Sep 27, 2020Olive is blocked from 18th to 20th due to protests in front of the police HQ on Thursday night that went from 6:00 to 9:00 and nobody knows about it because like pretty much all protests, people exercised their first amendment rights and went home
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That was the rectangular shaped white one-story, correct?
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That’s the one. 1900 pine
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I know this is going to offend some of the preservationists on this site, but the demo of this building is no great loss to the cityscape. The four buildings on Olive won't be missed either as far as I'm concerned. This whole area needs new life breathed into it, especially with those Station Plaza apartments there now -- a great preservation/repurpose job, by the way.
^ Nothing breathes new life into an area like surface parking lots and garages lol.
Interesting that the preservation of the Plaza apartments gets some accolades, but these human scaled buildings that actually make a city are the perfect place for more car storage.
Yikes.
Interesting that the preservation of the Plaza apartments gets some accolades, but these human scaled buildings that actually make a city are the perfect place for more car storage.
Yikes.
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My understanding of this is they will build a multi-story parking garage with street-level retail and restaurants. The plan is to create several destinations within walking distance of the stadium. There's also talk that this will be a "land for land" swap with the owners of the Anthem parking lot that's still currently there on the stadium site.
^ According to the documents posted here that may come sometime in the future. It’s not set in stone and the city isn’t requiring them to file permits for something new before demolition is allowed. Don’t let them fool you. A garage could easily be constructed on the west half of the block (the half closest to the stadium anyway) while preserving the existing buildings and putting them back on the tax rolls.
And quite frankly, downtown doesn’t need any more garages with first floor retail...there are plenty of them already and not a single one has improved the streetscape. Downtown needs more buildings with first floor retail and offices and residents above them to drive around the clock usage. Cars don’t do that, even if their storage facilities have a little cafe on the corner. At the very least build some apartments on top of this “proposed” garage...but there hasn’t even been a hint of that.
And quite frankly, downtown doesn’t need any more garages with first floor retail...there are plenty of them already and not a single one has improved the streetscape. Downtown needs more buildings with first floor retail and offices and residents above them to drive around the clock usage. Cars don’t do that, even if their storage facilities have a little cafe on the corner. At the very least build some apartments on top of this “proposed” garage...but there hasn’t even been a hint of that.
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Well, as I said, I knew my comments wouldn't be liked by some people. 
I will agree, however, that parking garages hold the least architectural or aesthetic value. I just don't see how nondescript buildings - that have been abandoned for years - can be much more appealing.
We'll see what they do. The sheer size of the site is impressive and with it's close proximity to Union Station, another massive structure, hopefully the ownership group will surround both venues with a number of ancillary destinations to create a variety of interesting dining and entertainment offerings. From what I've heard, that's the general idea of the "district" plan. Again, we'll see what actually happens.
I will agree, however, that parking garages hold the least architectural or aesthetic value. I just don't see how nondescript buildings - that have been abandoned for years - can be much more appealing.We'll see what they do. The sheer size of the site is impressive and with it's close proximity to Union Station, another massive structure, hopefully the ownership group will surround both venues with a number of ancillary destinations to create a variety of interesting dining and entertainment offerings. From what I've heard, that's the general idea of the "district" plan. Again, we'll see what actually happens.
^ Those buildings haven’t been abandoned for years.
Nondescript is in the eye of the beholder. I see buildings that can be used for businesses, residents, and other uses. Regardless of what the buildings look like they can generate a lot more activity and a “district” feel around the stadium than a garage that will just encourage people to do nothing but drive in and drive out.
If we demolished all the little nondescript buildings we’d have no downtown left. This thought process is the reason St. Louis has maybe the most mediocre and uninspired CBD in the country.
Nondescript is in the eye of the beholder. I see buildings that can be used for businesses, residents, and other uses. Regardless of what the buildings look like they can generate a lot more activity and a “district” feel around the stadium than a garage that will just encourage people to do nothing but drive in and drive out.
If we demolished all the little nondescript buildings we’d have no downtown left. This thought process is the reason St. Louis has maybe the most mediocre and uninspired CBD in the country.
frequentflyer wrote: ↑Sep 27, 2020Well, as I said, I knew my comments wouldn't be liked by some people.
It needs some TLC, no doubt, but "nondescript"? Really?
And of the 5 or 6 buildings on this block, only this one, 1900 Olive, was vacant. But that's only been since the salon moved out some time in 2015. None of them are abandoned, unless by "abandoned" you meant, "it doesn't have a Starbucks in it"...?
Trading these fine-grained CITY buildings that have a better chance of hosting local small businesses for a Kiener-like garage with generica chains sounds like the opposite of what the goal should be.
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In the 2 years I worked in city zoning (2011-2013) and than the 2 years I served on the Board of Adjustment (2016-2018) every time parking lots came about we had one condition, they must be paved. We are a City. This isn’t a highway exit lot off 55 in Festus.
-apparently the city has allowed the mls stadium contractor to turn 4 lots in downtown west ( 2 off wash Ave and 2 off locust) to be turned into gravel lots for worker parking. Gravel lots spill into sidewalks, or the street and just look trashy. City may say these are temporary but 3 years isn’t temporary and we know the way stl works- these will just stay as is and be used for game day parking.
-apparently the city has allowed the mls stadium contractor to turn 4 lots in downtown west ( 2 off wash Ave and 2 off locust) to be turned into gravel lots for worker parking. Gravel lots spill into sidewalks, or the street and just look trashy. City may say these are temporary but 3 years isn’t temporary and we know the way stl works- these will just stay as is and be used for game day parking.
I’m usually not one to stand in the way of a demolition (shanley building, 300 S Broadway), but there has to be a proposal for something in its place that I feel makes at least a little sense. For this spot there isn’t and in my opinion the building still looks to be in decent shape. So until they have a concrete plan for a replacement there is no reason to make it a surface lot. In my mind with no plan a surface lot it will be for the long term. There is no point to tear it down now. What’s wrong with waiting til the replacement plan is finalized?
Someone pointed out those new gravel lots a few weeks ago on Twitter. Now we know for what.
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I forgot to snap a photo but on each corner of the lots there is a sign that says mls stadium construction worker parking only. They also wanted to put barbwire on top of the fence but I put a stop to that
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^ i hate going to, like, Boston or Philly or DC and seeing all the nondescript old buildings like that one that haven't been plowed for garages yet. such a bummer.urbanitas wrote: ↑Sep 27, 2020frequentflyer wrote: ↑Sep 27, 2020Well, as I said, I knew my comments wouldn't be liked by some people.
It needs some TLC, no doubt, but "nondescript"? Really?
And of the 5 or 6 buildings on this block, only this one, 1900 Olive, was vacant. But that's only been since the salon moved out some time in 2015. None of them are abandoned, unless by "abandoned" you meant, "it doesn't have a Starbucks in it"...?
Ah yes, charming street level retail and restaurants all controlled by one conglomerate ownership group. They want as many independent businesses out of the stadium footprint so they can reap all profits, and that juicy 1% TDD.frequentflyer wrote: ↑Sep 27, 2020My understanding of this is they will build a multi-story parking garage with street-level retail and restaurants. The plan is to create several destinations within walking distance of the stadium. There's also talk that this will be a "land for land" swap with the owners of the Anthem parking lot that's still currently there on the stadium site.
No.