Saint Louis University, University of Missouri–St. Louis to co-lead research and development for new St. Louis Regional Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center
Will be located in the Vandeventer neighborhood near Ranken.
This is fantastic news. Couldn't have chosen a better place to put it, either. I'd love to see that area around the Ranken campus continue to churn out wins like this.
I like the rendering. Its pretty sexy. I appreciate that it is in North City. I appreciate that this proposal requires very little demo.
But for something that promises to be a regional focal point i would prefer its site selection be a little more thoughtful than hey here is some land we already own. A prominent intersection, metro link or at least potential metro link on next expansion, adjacent commercial development opportunities., etc.
Also some historic reuse like building a modern addition off one of the old Ittner school houses would be good. Is Yeatman/Central in use now? To me that would be a great spot for this... I like it for the old Cleavland School too but i realize they are targeting this for North City.
Get it right, even if the result is some demo... dodges behind cover to avoid slings and arrows.
^^ The idea is to have it on or adjacent to Ranken's campus since they already do a ton of training and education with various trades like electrical, automotive, and construction. They also have programs in manufacturing, information technology, architecture, etc. Ranken is one of the best technical colleges in the country...their campus is a perfect spot for an advanced mfg. center. They definitely put a lot more thought into this than "here is some land we own."
Plus, Metro's #19 on Taylor would take any transit users directly from the CWE station to Ranken's campus as well. A roughly 1.4 mile ride. In addition, the planned Hodiamont Greenway would run one block south of Ranken's campus.
I'm not sure how much cross over there would be with Ranken since i thought it was to be run by a separate entity, but even given that i would rather have it fronting Page. Maybe the lots at the NE corner of Page and Taylor for example. Same basic design but better presence.
"Hall said he hopes ground can be broken next year for the advanced manufacturing innovation center, which will be located next to Ranken Technical College, which is near Kingshighway and Page boulevards."
^ Thanks, hopefully hope turns into it will break ground.
Would be sweet if GM could kick in like Boeing did or maybe P&G after their expansion announcement. GM of course being in Wentzville and not in the city or county but they must be the next biggest manufacturer in the region. It seems like they would benefit indirectly over time.
