urbanSTL

I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s impossible to demo one without the other. At a minimum doing so would increase the demo budget (precision costs extra) and require a plan for redevelopment of the old restaurant. From the sounds of it, redeveloping the two story building would cost millions by itself.

The building is in an awkward spot. It’s long and not at the corner meaning any redevelopment of the block would be awkward to build around it. I have a hunch the entire block of clean land is going to be the sweetener that gets someone interested in RX.

With all due respect, I think we've seen urban clearcutting in favor of unclear future development fail over and over again in st louis. Also this isn't the only other building on the block, the Gill building at Olive & 7th doesn't seem to be on the chopping block despite being next to the garage.

March has been a cash cow for downtown businesses, no slowing down anytime soon 

24th: Blues 
26th: Blues & Cardinals 
28th: Blues, Cardinals and Battlehawks 

Other events: 28th Daniel Tosh at Stifel 
22-30th Halloween Show at Convention Center

Show keeps going in April: 

4: Supercross at the Dome 
11: St.Louis Marathon
8-12: American Taekwondo Association tournament 
10-11: Oddities & Curiosities 
22-30: VEX Robotics World Championships 

Cardinals 10x 
Blues 4x 
City SC 1x 
Battlehawks 1x 
Enterprise/Stifel events 7

also closing in on a major concert at the Dome in July 

PeterXCV wrote:With all due respect, I think we've seen urban clearcutting in favor of unclear future development fail over and over again in st louis. Also this isn't the only other building on the block, the Gill building at Olive & 7th doesn't seem to be on the chopping block despite being next to the garage.

I don’t disagree. I’m not advocating for the demo just saying I’m not surprised.

The Gill building is free standing on three of four sides and is a corner. You maintain a generally simple development area that offers the most marketability. Plus the building has an owner that isn’t trying to sell.

I’m sure this building would be saved too if the owners wanted the building and were prepared to repair it.

I really was always under the impression that the Gill Building and Charlie Gittos building would not be demoed with the garage.

We must really be determined to rid ourselves of any pre urban renewal buildings downtown. Buildings like these should’ve never been torn down all over downtown. We wouldn’t be in the situation we are with many of these empty buildings and derelict garages if we didn’t tear down good urban buildings in the first place

We don’t learn


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Hotels staying hot

In 2025, St Louis lead the U.S. with 7.4% RevPar growth over prior year, while the total U.S. contracted (.4%).

Thru Feb 2026, St Louis is 16.3%growth in RevPar over 2025, compared to U.S. growing at 2.4%.

I expect these numbers to be even larger growth after we get First Qtr data after a packed March

Interesting opinion piece in the PD from 3 DT residents: Tim Bryant, David Sosne and Les Sterman: Push back on hellscape narrative

Downtown is not a theme park. It needs to be a place where people love to live. If we make that happen, businesses will follow because their employees will want to live here. We have suggestions for our business, civic, and political leaders:

• End the disorder by enforcing ordinances related to parking, traffic, vehicle registration, nuisance properties, liquor licenses and other quality of life concerns.

• Produce a credible development plan to guide the city and organizations involved in managing or investing in Downtown.

• Advocate for a single voice to speak for Downtown and seek coordination of efforts by the organizations that claim to speak for all or part of Downtown.

• Align public and private investment priorities to strengthen and accelerate residential and business growth.

• Allocate resources more effectively to improve public safety. Combine the resources spent by multiple organizations and the city police department to create a more visible and effective police and security presence throughout Downtown.

• Make ending homelessness a regional goal instead of a Downtown problem.

Nothing I haven't heard before, but the first statement on enforcement seems to be a growing concern across the entire city.

https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/03/24/ ... y-globally

Great story here, downtown STL is the regions and the states economic driver. The more we invest in it the more it will produce for every other neighborhood, town and the state. Last year it sent $80m to the state in sales tax, no reason it cant send over $100m

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

1:42 AM - Mar 25

https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/03/24/ ... y-globally

Great story here, downtown STL  is the regions and the states economic driver. The more we invest in it the more it will produce for every other neighborhood, town and the state.  Last year it sent $80m to the state in sales tax, no reason it cant send over $100m

I love this and the narrative mirrors my experience talking with and working with out of town visitors.  They covey very positive, unique experiences in St. Louis, while locals typically dismiss what we have and/or just never experience everything we have to offer for a variety of lame reasons.  

Local perception change would help that word of mouth.  I can't tell you how many times I've overheard a conversation on a plane where a local is bad-mouthing our own/city region to someone not from the area.  

DB, you should get a drone and get us video of a completed Tucker from Wash Ave to Choteau.

At least a month left before it’s done. The pavement and striping will be done in next week or so. Bump outs and bike lane to follow. I’m working with BPS and alders to see if we can spruce up the medians

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

5:37 PM - Mar 25

At least a month left before it’s done.  The pavement and striping will be done in next week or so.  Bump outs and bike lane to follow.    I’m working with BPS and alders to see if we can spruce up the medians

Yes, an investment of hardy, low-water, native perennials would do wonders and not require a ton of maintenance. And Forestry needs to stop wasting time planting 10 inch tall saplings which they don't water and don't make it a year, looks super tacky and their own standards say new street trees should be 5-8 feet tall and +2" diameter trunks

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

1:42 AM - Mar 25

https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/03/24/ ... y-globally

Great story here, downtown STL  is the regions and the states economic driver. The more we invest in it the more it will produce for every other neighborhood, town and the state.  Last year it sent $80m to the state in sales tax, no reason it cant send over $100m

I like the story. It does lead me to a frustrating challenge. STL has to find more ways to create attention for itself instead of waiting for nationalized committees to decide. It felt like we were so close with LouFest. When the teams are bad it's hard to stay in the mainstream for good things. Mardi Gras is never going to be THE Mardis Gras. What's the one thing/event/experience that draws a big out of town crowd every year? The thing that St. Louis is known for. 

addxb2 wrote: ↑

12:11 AM - Mar 26

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

1:42 AM - Mar 25

https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/03/24/ ... y-globally

Great story here, downtown STL  is the regions and the states economic driver. The more we invest in it the more it will produce for every other neighborhood, town and the state.  Last year it sent $80m to the state in sales tax, no reason it cant send over $100m

I like the story. It does lead me to a frustrating challenge. STL has to find more ways to create attention for itself instead of waiting for nationalized committees to decide. It felt like we were so close with LouFest. When the teams are bad it's hard to stay in the mainstream for good things. Mardi Gras is never going to be THE Mardis Gras. What's the one thing/event/experience that draws a big out of town crowd every year? The thing that St. Louis is known for. 

Paint Louis & Music at The Intersection seem to be gaining positive momentum year by year. hopefully within the next 5yrs, both can be built into major destination events. 

addxb2 wrote:

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

1:42 AM - Mar 25

https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/03/24/ ... y-globally

Great story here, downtown STL  is the regions and the states economic driver. The more we invest in it the more it will produce for every other neighborhood, town and the state.  Last year it sent $80m to the state in sales tax, no reason it cant send over $100m

I like the story. It does lead me to a frustrating challenge. STL has to find more ways to create attention for itself instead of waiting for nationalized committees to decide. It felt like we were so close with LouFest. When the teams are bad it's hard to stay in the mainstream for good things. Mardi Gras is never going to be THE Mardis Gras. What's the one thing/event/experience that draws a big out of town crowd every year? The thing that St. Louis is known for. 

I feel like what you're looking for is just the Cardinals/baseball. Obviously that is somewhat dependent on if they're good or not, but it wouldn't have been had Rawlings and the Negro League museum both gon to a 3rd Phase of BPV but neither did so instead of a full fledge mecca for baseball we get a "kinda" mecca for baseball that's dependent on if the Cardinals are good.

It's just another failure of vision for the region.

Imagine an alternate reality where BPV Phase 3 included another luxary apartment building, Negro League museum, Rawlings HQ + store + "experience", several restaurants, and whatever else. That would have solidified a year-round attraction right downtown regardless of the Cards W%.

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StlAlex wrote:

addxb2 wrote:

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

1:42 AM - Mar 25

https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/03/24/ ... y-globally

Great story here, downtown STL  is the regions and the states economic driver. The more we invest in it the more it will produce for every other neighborhood, town and the state.  Last year it sent $80m to the state in sales tax, no reason it cant send over $100m

I like the story. It does lead me to a frustrating challenge. STL has to find more ways to create attention for itself instead of waiting for nationalized committees to decide. It felt like we were so close with LouFest. When the teams are bad it's hard to stay in the mainstream for good things. Mardi Gras is never going to be THE Mardis Gras. What's the one thing/event/experience that draws a big out of town crowd every year? The thing that St. Louis is known for. 

I feel like what you're looking for is just the Cardinals/baseball. Obviously that is somewhat dependent on if they're good or not, but it wouldn't have been had Rawlings and the Negro League museum both gon to a 3rd Phase of BPV but neither did so instead of a full fledge mecca for baseball we get a "kinda" mecca for baseball that's dependent on if the Cardinals are good.

It's just another failure of vision for the region.

Imagine an alternate reality where BPV Phase 3 included another luxary apartment building, Negro League museum, Rawlings HQ + store + "experience", several restaurants, and whatever else. That would have solidified a year-round attraction right downtown regardless of the Cards W%.

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We do have THE Anheuser Busch. No city may be more synonymous with a worldwide brand than StL is with AB. And the brewery itself is awesome, no other brewery can compare to its history, architecture and scale. If we could ever redevelop The Falstaff brewery in Benton Park and Lemp down on Cherokee, we could certainly lay claim as the beer capital. We do need a premier beer festival or experience downtown

The combination of Rawlings and Negro Leagues museum going in BPV or at least downtown would’ve been huge for our unique attractions in StL. Still happy to see the Negro Leagues museum moving along up Grand, will make a nice north city addition. The big Gold Glove on a tower and Rawlings experience being all the way out in Westport…not so happy. The Gold Glove on top of One Cardinal way or one of the new towers should have been in our skyline. Hope they rebuild the experience downtown once BPV is further built out

Further to the baseball mecca, I wish 60 years ago StL would’ve made the bid to be the College World Series host city instead of Omaha, would’ve been perfect here. We should at least get a yearly college football bowl game at the Dome

As far as having a signature event, our best chance to create the #1 premier event of its kind is probably 4th of July Fair St. Louis. At one time in the 80s it may have been. Having the only urban national park, the Arch framing the fireworks, the riverfront scenes of music and vendors, the all around “American” pride that the Arch and Mississippi River represent. No one has really laid claim to being THE 4th of July destination, so maybe StL should promote itself as such.

Need to figure out how to get the Annie Malone May Day Parade stable. Believe it is one of the larger Black American celebrations in the US

Certainly also should promote other already popular events to get them bigger as many other cities have done with massive tourism dollars - Festival of Nations, MOBOT Japanese Festival, Soulard Mardi Gras & Bastille Days & Oktoberfest, Dogtown St. Pats, Forest Park Balloon Race, Pride, Big Muddy Blues Festival, Music at the Intersection, St. Louis Marathon, St. Louis Art Fair/StL Hills Art in the Park, Taste of St. Louis, Grove, Loop Ice Carnival, Cherokee Cinco de Mayo. We have stuff every weekend!


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i walked in the downtown during lunch time yesterday and unfortunately i am not seeing much foot traffic.

A real Oktoberfest could be amazing. It's during the time when STL has the best weather. Plenty of space to build out a temporary Oktoberfest grounds in the lots south of Busch Stadium or Koscuisko.

The East Riverfront would actually be a fantastic place to build out a permanent festival area like you see in Munich. Good transit access, central location, cheap land. TBH STL could use a permanent fairgrounds area like that anyways, it could be used for a number of different things throughout the year.

pattimagee wrote:

dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑

5:37 PM - Mar 25

At least a month left before it’s done.  The pavement and striping will be done in next week or so.  Bump outs and bike lane to follow.    I’m working with BPS and alders to see if we can spruce up the medians

Amen! We should hire a team just to go around and make spots like these nicer and choose plants that are heat and cold hardy! 

We already have this group: https://www.brightsidestl.org

GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑

3:00 PM - Mar 26

A real Oktoberfest could be amazing. It's during the time when STL has the best weather. Plenty of space to build out a temporary Oktoberfest grounds in the lots south of Busch Stadium or Koscuisko.

The East Riverfront would actually be a fantastic place to build out a permanent festival area like you see in Munich. Good transit access, central location, cheap land. TBH STL could use a permanent fairgrounds area like that anyways, it could be used for a number of different things throughout the year.

The east riverfront would have been a better spot to build the Hofbrauhaus than Belleville. Imagine it facing west, between the casino and the bridge. Hell, it's still a good idea.

BPS approved a 3 day permit for something called Rollin on the River for May 22-25 on LKS Blvd but I can’t find anything about it it online