Suspicious Fire Destroys Construction Site

Officials are calling the fire suspicious but we all know the reality, it was arson. Like three construction sites that went down in flames last year, this project was basically framed out but without drywall and other finish materials that would have helped to prevent a fire from spreading so quickly. The timing was likely very calculated.  Click here to read my post from one year ago today on those fires.

Above, site as of June 3, 2007. Taken from behind Arby’s looking east.

The project involved nearly 200 apartments along with some street-level retail along Lindell, on the site of the former Salad Bowl restaurant, at 3949 Lindell (google map). While in the area on the 3rd of this month I got some in-progress pictures for use later in a post when the project was finished. … Continue Reading

A Memorial for Marti, Friday June 15th

Last month I lost a business colleague, a classmate and close personal friend (see prior post). Many of you knew Marti Frumhoff in a different way but we shared that loss when she passed away last month of natural causes.  Not everyone was able to attend the services so a group has decided to put together a memorial for this Friday so that others can share memories of Marti.

Here is the announcement:

Friday, June 15th, there will be a gathering in Forest Park, to honor, memorialize, and celebrate the life and times of our dear friend Marti. Rain or Shine!

We will be creating the space as we come together… some of us may want to share a story, read a poem, put up art work, lead us in a song, play Frisbee or Scrabble. . We see this as a informal time, family friendly, this includes dogs and children.

If this is at a time in which you will not be able to join us and you wish to have some thing read… please email: mel@changingtide.org and we will make sure that some one reads it for you.

The space is available from 3pm – 8pm. The focused phase of this gathering will begin at 5:30. This memorial is a time of celebration in a park Marti cherished. Come early, stay late. Two bbq pits are available. Please Forward!

Details: A memorial gathering to honor Marti

Place: Pavilion 5 – Wells Drive – Across from the Zoo (south side) Link to Map – http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark/fppicmap.html

Date: Friday, June 15th Time: 3pm -8pm

Please take a moment of your time Friday to think about Marti and what she did for St. Louis, and join us if you can.

Open House for St. Louis’ Latest Gateway Mall Plan; Implimentation Underway Before Public Viewing (Updated)

In a classic St. Louis move, the city’s “leadership” is already moving forward with a plan the public has yet to see. Mayor Slay, Aldermanic President, Alderman Phyllis Young, and Downtown Parnership’s Jim Cloar last week talked of the newest concept as a done deal even though we the public have not seen anything yet. Typical.

The public open house is scheduled for this evening, Monday June 11, 2007 at 6:30pm in the rotunda at City Hall. This is one of those meetings designed to give the appearance of public participation without any actual participation. The usual round of types — officials, business executives, etc… — have already approved of the plan on our behalf. How big of them to do so. I assume tonight will also be a chance for all these folks to congratulate each other on a job well done. I’ll be there simply because I need to see what sort of disasterous plan the city has drafted this time. Any comment forms will likely be a waste of paper.

… Continue Reading

Mayor Slay Opens EcoUrban’s LEED-Registered Modular Home (w/video)

For a few hours yesterday afternoon and evening the crowds of people toured EcoUrban’s first project, a modular construction green home located at 3140 Pennsylvania in the City of Saint Louis.

Mayor Slay and 9th Ward Alderman Ken Ortmann helped with the grand opening festivities.

… Continue Reading

City Hospital-Georgian Square on Two Agendas on 6/6/07

TIF Meeting; 8am

AGENDA

CITY HOSPITAL-GEORGIAN SQUARE (RPA3) TAX INCREMENT FINANCING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS

REGULAR MEETING – REGULAR SESSION

12TH FLOOR – BOARD ROOM Wednesday, June 6, 2007 – 8:00 a.m.

1.    CALL TO ORDER

2.    PUBLIC HEARING – AMENDMENT TO THE CITY HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND APPROVAL OF THE GEORGIAN SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA (RPA3) (7th Ward/Alderwoman Young)

RESOLUTION NO. 07-TIFC-242 – RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE “NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING” AS AMENDED, AND THE “NOTICE OF CHANGES TO TIF REDEVELOPMENT PLAN,” AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE TIF REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE CITY HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT AREA, AS DESCRIBED THEREIN, APPROVING THE AMENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA 3 (RPA3) -GEORGIAN SQUARE AND EXPRESSING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI WITH RESPECT TO SAID AREA, AMENDED PLAN AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT (Dale Ruthsatz)

NOTE:    PLEASE BRING WITH YOU THE APPLICATION DATED APRIL 3, 2007. ATTACHED IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY HOSPITAL TIF PLAN DATED APRIL 20, 2007, AS REVISED MAY 30, 2007 AND A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS DATED APRIL 20, 2007.

All the plans and revisions are mentioned to members of the TIF commision but not available online for the general  public to review.

Planning Commission; 5:30pm 

8. PDA-103-07-REZ – Georgian Square Area – Rezone A & D to H – Peabody Darst Webbe Neighborhood – (CB 820, 820.04, 820.05, 414, 415)

These blocks are the ones that are currently vacant, not the ones with occupied homes that Ald. Young wants to take via eminent domain and then raze.

Prior Posts:

• February 28, 2008
• February 21, 2007

Click here for map of area.