Reflections on a Very Urban Day

Benton Park

Just before the election the Mayor presided over a special ribbon cutting ceremony. This afternoon the ribbon was cut on a rebuilt home at 2201 Arsenal in Benton Park.

This house sat vacant for 20 years while it was in legal limbo. It was in tragic shape. Luckily Millennium Restoration and Development came along to renovate the building. During construction came a buyer that loaded the place with some major upgrades. Sales price is reportedly in excess of $700K.

The home owners spoke at the ceremony talking about how they built a new home in Chesterfield (a new money suburb) about 6 years ago. None of their neighbors there seemed to care. They expressed their thrill at being a part of a real neighborhood rather than just a subdivision.

Polish Falcons

After touring all three floors of the house I ventured up to the Polish Falcons for their fish fry supporting St. Stanislaus Kostka. The place was packed! For only $6.50 they had a choice of Jack Salmon, Catfish or Cod; choice of two sides, desert and drinks. I ran into many friends – young and old. The Polish Falcons are located at 2013 St. Louis Avenue. Only 3 more Fridays remain!

Left Bank Books

I finished up the evening at the artist’s reception for a new show of Alan Brunettin. From the exhibit:

Check it out at Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid, through April 3, 2005.

– Steve

Dave Drebes of Arch City Chronicle Endorses Patterson for Alderman

I’m pleased to report that in the latest issue of Arch City Chronicle, General Manager Dave Drebes has endorsed me in my race for Alderman in the 25th Ward:

Thank you Dave.

– Steve

Upcoming Events

Public Debate Tuesday March 1; 7pm-9pm

The two-hour educational debate, set to begin at 7 p.m., will be held at the Gretchen Inn banquet facility 4200 S. Grand at Meramec, which has been donated for the event by The Feasting Fox restaurant. The debate is co-sponsored by the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Association and the Dutchtown South Community Corporation. The League of Women Voters is moderating the debate.

Public Meet & Greet Wednesday March 2; 5pm-8pm

Local Architect Frank Scherr is hosting a meet & greet at his office/home located at 3137 Meramec (across from St. Anthony of Padua). Refreshments will be served. Stop by, have a drink and chat with Steve Patterson. This is not a fundraiser so we won’t be asking for money – just good conversation!

An Argument Against Architectural Cloning

Hampton Village (Hampton & Chippewa) is like an old friend – not perfect but familiar. Below is the main corner building that houses the JC Penny store. A little predictable but reasonably well proportioned. Large cupola and weathervain – not exactly my style but OK.

Then you’ve got the other old section to the North of the JC Penny. Oh look, another cupola.

In the last 10 years ago the Schnuck’s grocery store was built (started as a National). Here they have a modern take on the cupola. Getting a bit tired of the theme. As an aside, as soon as Schnuck’s took over the location they put up a huge “Double Coupons” sign in the front window. I’ve yet to see such signage in their West County stores. Perhaps municipalities out West have better signage ordinances? Perhaps Schuck’s just doesn’t want to clutter their stores in the county?

Back over to an older part we see another cupola on the section over the current Walgreen’s. Well, this is all on the same corner so I guess that wanted a consistent look.

But now we are getting new construction across Chippewa that is picking up the theme. The Dobb’s thankfully left off a cupola but picked up the gable and partial roof theme seen at Hampton Village. Not ground breaking but not overly offensive.

But now we have the new Walgreen’s under construction. Simply the sheer number of Walgreen’s stores is offensive to my eye. Recent Walgreen’s stores have this annoying 2nd floor window. It is interesting how most new stores try to look taller – as if they had real second floors. Most don’t have the cupola which seems required on this corner.

Please shoot me if the new Target store gets a cupola.

– Steve

Former Western Bowl Listed with Cushman & Wakefield for $975,000

As most of know the AMF Western Bowl closed its doors at the end of January. What we don’t know is what will become of the property. Dorothy Kirner has mentioned in recent meetings 3 potential buyers to meet with the owner in June. I had heard from other sources the lanes were being ripped up. I wanted to find out for myself what was going on.

Map of
4041 Bingham Ave
St Louis, MO 63116-3506

I spoke to workers from AMF that were removing the equipment from the building. All the seating, scoring tables and ball return equipment has already been removed.

The pin equipment is all being dismantled as well. AMF is gutting the structure of all bowling equipment with the exception of the wood lanes.

As you can see the wood lanes are split by the former runs of the ball return equipment.

Conveniently the listing agent, Joseph Porcelli, was on site and I was able to gather more information from him:
• Listed with Cushman & Wakefield of Missouri, 314-514-0600
• List price is $975,000

City property records indicate the property has 2.229 acres and the building was built in 1962 and has 34,301sf. I don’t have any more detail on the building at this point but clearly the owner is actively removing all the bowling equipment.

Public infrastructure such as this sewer cover and the sidewalks need to be addressed. I would like the opportunity to, as Alderman, work with buyers/developers to make this property an asset to the Ward.

– Steve