^I think in principal I agree with you that we need a stick to get the movement, but I wonder what law you could use as a stick. Even a lawsuit requires a clear harm that requires some law to back it up, right? Right now I'm just not sure what federal law our lousy sidewalks and terrible streets actually violate. They may be awful, but are they actually out of compliance with the ADA? (If they are, then every city in the country is, I suspect. Which may be true, but it suggests the feds are complicit in the problem.)
We're getting way off topic, but the City is a sitting duck for an expensive ADA lawsuit. We don't even have an ADA transition plan as I recall. ADA is enforced through civil suits, so someone with standing would need to bring it and pay for it.
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ADA is limited to injunctive and other equitable relief.
Variances for 2125-51 Locust, a 5-story 75-unit new apartment building, are on the Aug 23 Board of Adjustment agenda.
I see AHM also owns 2201 Olive. I guess they picked it up last year.
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Expect construction to begin on all smaller components of this sometime in Q1 2024 with 2125 Locust beginning towards the beginning of Q1. The tower, likely towards the end of 2024.
Will be glad to see this moving along. Hopefully the dates hold.Chris Stritzel wrote: ↑Aug 27, 2023Expect construction to begin on all smaller components of this sometime in Q1 2024 with 2125 Locust beginning towards the beginning of Q1. The tower, likely towards the end of 2024.
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Props to both @dbInSouthCity and @Chris Stritzel for first reporting and second-source confirming the development's plans. Looking forward to it.
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Developer seeks tax breaks for Downtown St. Louis apartments
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/business/developer-seeks-tax-breaks-for-downtown-st-louis-apartments/article_f15f3aa0-5e3f-11ee-b4fb-ab003d483ee3.htmlThe developer behind two Downtown West apartment projects will ask the city to approve a total of $61 million in bonds on Friday.
AHM Group plans to build 110 apartments at 2106 Washington Avenue, just north of the new soccer stadium, with new retail and parking. Of those apartments, 11 will be affordable to a person making $40,000 or less a year, or 60% of the area median income.
AHM is seeking up to $40.5 million in bonds for the project so it can get a sales tax exemption on construction materials.
The other project calls for 63 apartments and retail at 2125 Locust Street, currently a parking lot behind the Washington Avenue project. AHM is seeking up to $20.25 million in bonds, again to facilitate a sales tax exemption on construction materials.
The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority is slated to review the requests at its meeting at 2 p.m. Friday.
Demo of 2120 Washington is on the Preservation Board prelim agenda.
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I like that the design aesthetic for these blends CityPark and Downtown West.
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This is excellent, I can't wait to see how these turn out and what else might pop up around them. That timber tower is right next door, too.
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^agreed, looks amazing - fingers crossed on all of these too! 
I think St. Louis will have one of the most interesting and unique downtowns in America if we can fill in the gaps. New construction is what we've been waiting on for years.
^ I'd agree with that. There are a few mammoth buildings left to stabilize and activate, and despite significant loss, there is still enough standing to make a striking mix of old and new. All with a national monument/park at the front door.
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With the right direction and investment, Downtown West could be our Fulton Market. Really need to avoid making the mistakes of Downtown proper though, no more giant parking garages with blank street walls.
The buildings are OK - and given some of the new 5 over 1's I have seen that is a complement. Outside of the new residences, what I like is that is soaks up lots on 2 parallel streets. There are nice large buildings here but the disjointed nature of this end of Downtown gave it a forlorn look. The owners in the Sporting News and Motorparts buildings have to be loving it.
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3-4 more good sized projects on Wash Ave would do a lot for reducing the "forlorn look." Locust in DTW is in a lot better shape, although could use more street level retail (and a few surface lots redeveloped)
The real challenge will be getting substantial density and vibrancy north of Wash Ave and south of Locust. Getting these up to speed would probably require this project x30. Completing the two street corridor from the Arch to Jefferson (and eventually Grand) is going to be the best way to catalyze the rest.
Edit: Tangent but still think a modern, free, KC style streetcar on Wash Ave from Broadway to Grand would make this area explode
The real challenge will be getting substantial density and vibrancy north of Wash Ave and south of Locust. Getting these up to speed would probably require this project x30. Completing the two street corridor from the Arch to Jefferson (and eventually Grand) is going to be the best way to catalyze the rest.
Edit: Tangent but still think a modern, free, KC style streetcar on Wash Ave from Broadway to Grand would make this area explode
So glad STL puts their sports facilities downtown. The new soccer stadium makes this all possible.
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if this is still happening, this whole area would explode with more development in 2025
NextSTL - AHM Downtown West proposal moving along
https://nextstl.com/2024/01/ahm-downtow ... ing-along/
https://nextstl.com/2024/01/ahm-downtow ... ing-along/
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Activity of site today, digging, marking etc. although don’t expect this project to start for a while. It will go to bid soon but $ side still has to be worked out.