I always thought that the public policy/urban affairs department should be downtown. Mainly because I want to have classes in a highrise downtown.
Around 10 years ago, when Rutgers had pretty much turned its back on New Brunswick, the unviersity choose to build the new Planning, Public Policy and Arts building in downtown New Brunswick, moving it away from a suburban campus built in the 1960's. In more recent years as New Brunswick has rebounded, Rutgers has added a new public saftey building and now a brand new 12 story dorm in downtown. Even better, the university is working with the city to develope a new 'gateway tower' to link the historic College Ave campus with the NJ Transit train station. I think the new tower would be around 15 stories.
In a similar vein, it would be teriffic if SLU played a bigger role in embracing its anchor roll in Midtown or the city as a whole. Why is the planning department not located at Grand and Delmar? Why is the Metroplitan Building not a dorm? Why is the new arena located so far from Olive or Lindel or Grand? It is sad Grand Center doesn't have the vision/ leadership/ momentum to lead the university, which might be possible if the Grand Center organisation ment something.
In a similar vein, it would be teriffic if SLU played a bigger role in embracing its anchor roll in Midtown or the city as a whole. Why is the planning department not located at Grand and Delmar? Why is the Metroplitan Building not a dorm? Why is the new arena located so far from Olive or Lindel or Grand? It is sad Grand Center doesn't have the vision/ leadership/ momentum to lead the university, which might be possible if the Grand Center organisation ment something.
- 11K
We're not as progressive at Rutgers? 
The stadium was really a chance to create an urban setting. I understand SLU tried to place this on Lindell directly in Mid-town and was prevented from doing so by a relatively few property owners. So what do they do? Build a suburban palace! It does seem as though it still could have gone on the south side of Lindell, included ground-level retail, increased foot traffic, amenities for students and produced revenue for the university.
What's SLU's next big investment? Any chance it will be any better?
The stadium was really a chance to create an urban setting. I understand SLU tried to place this on Lindell directly in Mid-town and was prevented from doing so by a relatively few property owners. So what do they do? Build a suburban palace! It does seem as though it still could have gone on the south side of Lindell, included ground-level retail, increased foot traffic, amenities for students and produced revenue for the university.
What's SLU's next big investment? Any chance it will be any better?
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Ihnen wrote:What's SLU's next big investment? Any chance it will be any better?
Word on the street is that after the Arena and Research buildings are complete, the priorities are some sort of mixed use building on the northeast corner of Grand and Lindell (retail and residential). It would not be a dorm.
And I believe Housing and Res Life is really pushing for a new dorm to be built within 8 years elsewhere on campus. Man, the southwest corner of Grand and Laclede, east of the parking lot, north of Shell, South of Gries would be perfect for a new dorm...
- 10K
Ihnen wrote:We're not as progressive at Rutgers?
The stadium was really a chance to create an urban setting. I understand SLU tried to place this on Lindell directly in Mid-town and was prevented from doing so by a relatively few property owners. So what do they do? Build a suburban palace! It does seem as though it still could have gone on the south side of Lindell, included ground-level retail, increased foot traffic, amenities for students and produced revenue for the university.
What's SLU's next big investment? Any chance it will be any better?
In all fairness, it's a basketball gym located in the most isolated corner of the campus, bordering both the SLU and Harris-Stowe athletic facilities. I don't really know that there was any need to somehow incorporate ground level retail into the building - it wouldn't get all that much traffic. The good thing about the new facility is that it will house the athletic offices and practice/training facilities for the basketball and volleyball teams, all of which are currently housed in the West Pine Gym, which occupies a prime spot in the center of the campus - an ideal location for a dorm, classrooms, etc.
I'm glad that the original plan fell through as it would have required the demolition of numerous buildings in an area that's just starting to come into its own.
I never did know who was at the heart of the orginal demolishon plan for a new arena, be it SLU or Grand Center. But Grand Center is very protective of their parking lots.
Some of the coolest dorms I have ever seen were those at Carleton College, where one dorm was the sort of loft space located in the football stadium. Very cool building and intersting rooms.
Some of the coolest dorms I have ever seen were those at Carleton College, where one dorm was the sort of loft space located in the football stadium. Very cool building and intersting rooms.
- 10K
I think it was both SLU and Grand Center. SLU would have received a larger TIF subsidy for building in the location it was originally considering. From what I've heard/seen, the original plan would have involved a lot of demolition so that GC wouldn't have to give up very much of its parking lots.
I've been bashing Larry for SLU's anti-urban tendencies for a decade, but I do at least understand them.
Frost campus that used to just be a collection of buildings on a city grid. Midtown decayed and vibrancy decreased while crime increased... having a dangerous environment woven into your campus is no way to convince parents to send their precious children.
So it's understandable that SLU became isolationist, in response to urban decay. More importantly, it took them a while to get that way... and it's going to take a while for them to open back up in response to urban revitalization.
Opening up that campus and integrating students into city life will require visible progress to attract the students, and PR from the City and its supporters to retrain the administration.
If the City's renaissance continues, the University will inevitably embrace it's environs as they shift from liability to asset for recruiting.
Unfortunately, neither side of the equation seems to have an agenda for hastening this. I doubt Larry and Francis are going to lunch and talking about how cool it's be if there was a streetcar line to take students to the CWE, Downtown, or South Grand.
Frost campus that used to just be a collection of buildings on a city grid. Midtown decayed and vibrancy decreased while crime increased... having a dangerous environment woven into your campus is no way to convince parents to send their precious children.
So it's understandable that SLU became isolationist, in response to urban decay. More importantly, it took them a while to get that way... and it's going to take a while for them to open back up in response to urban revitalization.
Opening up that campus and integrating students into city life will require visible progress to attract the students, and PR from the City and its supporters to retrain the administration.
If the City's renaissance continues, the University will inevitably embrace it's environs as they shift from liability to asset for recruiting.
Unfortunately, neither side of the equation seems to have an agenda for hastening this. I doubt Larry and Francis are going to lunch and talking about how cool it's be if there was a streetcar line to take students to the CWE, Downtown, or South Grand.
OK, we're re-hashing another thread.
First point: SLU's original plan failed because they couldn't piece together all the land. It got too costly.
Second point: Yes, SLU has done some anti-urban things in the past, but those days are over. I know you may not believe this, but Biondi is an urban guy. He recognizes what he has in his location. But in his quest to make SLU the "greatest Catholic university in the nation" his first step, as phobia pointed out, was to create a "real" college campus. Now that he has that, he can concentrate on the urban environment.
Here are some things to consider:
1.) The Coronado. At one point, SLU used this as a dormitory. I'm not sure why they closed it (I'm guessing health/safety issues), but the point is it remained a big, scary eyesore easily visible from SLU's little oasis. Why didn't they just tear it down? Parking's a big issue, or it could have been made another green space. But they didn't. They recognized the value of the building and wanted it redeveloped. Now it's practically the centerpiece of the area.
2.) The Lindell & Grand site. I know it p*sses a lot of you off that it's now another green space, but it's only temporary. SLU knows that a large signature building on that corner will only enhance its image, and so is waiting for the right time and the right developer to see the site imporved.
Just give SLU a little time. I think we owe it that, considering that the neighborhood would have collapsed totally if they had decided to move.
First point: SLU's original plan failed because they couldn't piece together all the land. It got too costly.
Second point: Yes, SLU has done some anti-urban things in the past, but those days are over. I know you may not believe this, but Biondi is an urban guy. He recognizes what he has in his location. But in his quest to make SLU the "greatest Catholic university in the nation" his first step, as phobia pointed out, was to create a "real" college campus. Now that he has that, he can concentrate on the urban environment.
Here are some things to consider:
1.) The Coronado. At one point, SLU used this as a dormitory. I'm not sure why they closed it (I'm guessing health/safety issues), but the point is it remained a big, scary eyesore easily visible from SLU's little oasis. Why didn't they just tear it down? Parking's a big issue, or it could have been made another green space. But they didn't. They recognized the value of the building and wanted it redeveloped. Now it's practically the centerpiece of the area.
2.) The Lindell & Grand site. I know it p*sses a lot of you off that it's now another green space, but it's only temporary. SLU knows that a large signature building on that corner will only enhance its image, and so is waiting for the right time and the right developer to see the site imporved.
Just give SLU a little time. I think we owe it that, considering that the neighborhood would have collapsed totally if they had decided to move.
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steve wrote:
2.) The Lindell & Grand site. I know it p*sses a lot of you off that it's now another green space, but it's only temporary. SLU knows that a large signature building on that corner will only enhance its image, and so is waiting for the right time and the right developer to see the site imporved.
Biondi told me last Spring that they were going to begin accepting RFPs for that site soon. I wonder what they've received so far, if they've opened it up yet...
I'd rather SLU just incorporate into Midtown, and Midtown to thrive instead of focusing on a university downtown. Midtown can be a great neighborhood, it's not far from that already.
And Webster University's ORIGINAL campus is in Webster Groves. Every campus that is not in Webster Groves is a satellite. It's a great University that is really doing a great job of weaving itself into a very good metro community.
And Webster University's ORIGINAL campus is in Webster Groves. Every campus that is not in Webster Groves is a satellite. It's a great University that is really doing a great job of weaving itself into a very good metro community.
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trent wrote:I'd rather SLU just incorporate into Midtown, and Midtown to thrive instead of focusing on a university downtown. Midtown can be a great neighborhood, it's not far from that already.
And Webster University's ORIGINAL campus is in Webster Groves. Every campus that is not in Webster Groves is a satellite. It's a great University that is really doing a great job of weaving itself into a very good metro community.
Trent I conpletely agree...
I'd like to see SLU aquire another college, and move it to their Midtown campus. Like they did with Park's College a few years ago.
You know what would be cool in the Bogen's corner retail spot? A comedy club. Really, anywhere on Washington would be great. I think a real headliner comedy club would be kick-*ss downtown.
Maybe Funny Bone would be willing to leave (the ailing) Westport?
Maybe Funny Bone would be willing to leave (the ailing) Westport?
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You know what would be cool in the Bogen's corner retail spot? A comedy club. Really, anywhere on Washington would be great. I think a real headliner comedy club would be kick-*ss downtown.
Isn't there are Comedy Club on the landing? Laughs on the landing maybe?
Get a RAM Microbrewery somewhere close to the Dome. Washington Ave, Landing, new pinnacle development, somewhere. The inside of these places have Rams all over the place. Good food and beer, and would serve as a great "game-day" venue for football (ala pregame and post game radio, or just a good place to take in the game).
I was in one a few years ago in Suburban Chicago (Chaumberg, I think) and enjoyed it. It was free standing. Downtown Indy had a floorlevel, streetfacing version which looked great. I think it would be a great fit somewhere downtown. Aside from the football connection, it has a certain family-friendly side that could keep it strong year round.
I was in one a few years ago in Suburban Chicago (Chaumberg, I think) and enjoyed it. It was free standing. Downtown Indy had a floorlevel, streetfacing version which looked great. I think it would be a great fit somewhere downtown. Aside from the football connection, it has a certain family-friendly side that could keep it strong year round.
how about a road race around the lou' ?? ... something akin to the race in France. i would have the race complete a circuit around 44/55/270 for 24 or 12 hours. other than creating the biggest traffic snarl this side of the mississippi, i think it would be bad ass. 
the large down hill approach from 270 to 55, the sweeping curves along 55 near DT, the long straights all along the course... 
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the large down hill approach from 270 to 55, the sweeping curves along 55 near DT, the long straights all along the course... 
Get 900 new employees by getting JE Dunn Construction Co. to move here -- I assume the $33 million of state financing mentioned would carry over to STL -- but maybe our region/city could be more receptive.....
article:
"Dunn looks to move HQ out of KC"
Kansas City Business Journal - 4:50 PM CST Wednesday
by Jim Davis
Staff Writer
http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansa ... st=b_ln_hl
article:
"Dunn looks to move HQ out of KC"
Kansas City Business Journal - 4:50 PM CST Wednesday
by Jim Davis
Staff Writer
http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansa ... st=b_ln_hl
Idea:
The St. Louis Downtown Partnership and Downtown Now should relocate to a storefront in a high pedestrian traffic location.
Maybe they should join with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Metro.
It should be an eye-popping retail style space. Probably on a corner with large display windows.
The St. Louis Downtown Partnership and Downtown Now should relocate to a storefront in a high pedestrian traffic location.
Maybe they should join with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Metro.
It should be an eye-popping retail style space. Probably on a corner with large display windows.
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what4 wrote:how about a road race around the lou' ?? ... something akin to the race in France. i would have the race complete a circuit around 44/55/270 for 24 or 12 hours. other than creating the biggest traffic snarl this side of the mississippi, i think it would be bad ass.
Now there's an interesting idea. I'm a Formula One fan, and the circuit would obviously be much smaller, but I've always wished that it wasn't completely impossible to bring Grand Prix racing to Saint Louis.
Either the streets of downtown or in and around Forest Park would serve as a great backdrop and get Saint Louis international publicity. Currently the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is home to the United States Grand Prix, but the F1 sanctioning body (FIA) has considered adding a second U.S. race to the schedule, and there's no guarantee they'll stay in Indy long-term anyway. I know this is a ridiculous pipe dream, but Detroit was once home to the U.S. Grand Prix. We beat them in baseball and in crime, so why can't we give this crazy idea a shot?
- 11K
^ That absolutely ROCKS! There are probably a number of places a street (non-Interstate) circuit would work as well. It's really amazing where they can set up. They used to run F1 in Adelaide Australia. You can see the outline below. Melbourne stole it away in 1996, but the course was basically in a residential/park setting. The challenge is to find room for pits.
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Getting a Formula 1 race might be a bit of a stretch. It may be a bit more realistic to shoot for a CART race. But I've always loved the idea of an open-wheel street race in St. Louis. I vote for Forest Park and it's environs.
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^ I know it's a longshot, but I like to aim high!
CART (Champ Car) would work just fine. I'd just be happy to see open-wheel auto racing in Saint Louis.
CART (Champ Car) would work just fine. I'd just be happy to see open-wheel auto racing in Saint Louis.
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This is St. Louis. We're more likely to get a pickup truck race.
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The Central Scrutinizer wrote:This is St. Louis. We're more likely to get a pickup truck race.
Actually, it seems that very few people in STL drive pickup trucks. I only have one friend who drives one, and that's because it's his work truck.