urbanSTL

^One of my big things for our current government is our permitting. We should strive to be the fastest permitting city in the country. Yes, that should be our goal. We are a low development region and need to keep things moving at all times.

$12M building permit application submitted for 16 townhomes at 2344 S 18th St

quincunx wrote: ↑

Feb 15, 2025

Really expensive for 16 units. Is this Trumpflation or did the project change?

Agreed.  Probably an error of some sort.  

Looks nice.

(what happened to the doors on the right-side units?) 

They’re all fake on that side… so they only went partway down the alley…

Neighbors not in support of anything but 2-4 SF homes at this lot, though…

They look functional in the site plan.

Soulard is full of rowhouses, how does 16 more cause a problem for anyone?

Not enough parking of course.

16 spots 1:1. Seems fine? Surely neighbors would see the value in this development. A hard lot to make use of with interstate behind, uses an alley, brick row home design that fits character of neighborhood, adds residents to support the intra neighborhood businesses. This is a fantastic development in my opinion.

I have to admit, I like it.

I'm not against this project but living adjacent to I-55 sounds none too pleasant to me. I grew up 3 blocks from I-44 and you could still hear the highway. 

This site could be loud yes. There does seem to be a severe discrepancy between MODOTs use of sound barriers or trees on interstates and the amount I typically see in many other states. You would think with the amount of urban interstates we have (too many), this would be more of a priority. That stretch of i-55 is especially dividing/nuisance to the neighborhoods and not designed to mitigate its effects.

Is MODOT the entity in charge of building sound barriers? I've always found it interesting that they seem be everywhere in areas where neighborhoods built up to the highways after their construction, but missing in neighborhoods where the highway was rammed through non-consensually

Sound walls are ugly anyway. I remember when they started building them along 270 between 55 and 44, and no one thought they looked good. They've since aged like avocados. I think it would be better to have planted trees instead.

Sent from my Pixel 8 using Tapatalk

Where sound walls are built is 100% a function of who is affluent enough to cause a big enough stink to get MODOT to build them.

walker wrote: ↑

Feb 15, 2025

They’re all fake on that side… so they only went partway down the alley…

Neighbors not in support of anything but 2-4 SF homes at this lot, though…

I can't image why any Soulardian would be opposed to these handsome homes. It is what Soulard needs the most: density and less empty lots, especially right by the Interstate. This and the potential redevelopment of the lots in McKinley Heights by the I-44/I-55/Gravois area would be big improvements for each neighborhood.

Won't someone please think of current residents?! 

"Parking will be a complete and utter nightmare"

"one spot per client… That would work if every household was single. There is nearly enough parking on that small cul-de-sac… Yes, a cul-de-sac. That means it will overflow in front of our houses making it much more difficult for us to park.…… And yes, I realize streets are first come first serve however you can’t put something that large with that size of condo.  it’s like building a frat house and having very little parking… It’s not fair to the neighbors "

"LAMI is a block over and that’s where I live. Why would I want a bunch of people that live a block away to be parking in front of my house. Where do you think I’m going to park?… I know you’re just trying to push a property, but you’re not thinking of others. Lastly, you’re not even including when they entertain.. it would be different if I was the only one that has brought this up , but multiple multiple multiple people have expressed this concern and you’re not addressing it with change. You’re trying to shove as many townhomes as you can in that small space to make a buck.. you’re clearly just concerned about the bottom line. You should not be putting that many condos in that small of a lot. Period!"

The concerns around this development being parking and noise pollution from the highway is funny to me. As a Soulard resident for 4 years, those come with the territory and anyone moving to Soulard surely won't be bothered by these things.

legendrey wrote: ↑

Feb 19, 2025

The concerns around this development being parking and noise pollution from the highway is funny to me. As a Soulard resident for 4 years, those come with the territory and anyone moving to Soulard surely won't be bothered by these things.

Yeah, how about a million people trashing your neighborhood yearly for a weekend.

I live 2 blocks from this proposal and I think it's the right size for that lot.

Earlier proposals were for 30-40 apartment units. As 18th St is a one way street that would have been pushing a lot of traffic on to Lami and the alley.

Just curious what is going to happen to the old church next to the Lucas School House? It is very prominent from I-44. Is anyone attempting to save this building? Is the neighborhood association forcing the owner's hand? It is an eyesore & a shame that it is decaying. The steeple is very visible & crumbling. Is there a plan for this building? 

I assume that building will become a parking lot or grassy field.