Work has started on an addition to the existing St. Louis County Courthouse:
On October 15, 2013, the St. Louis County Council awarded a $122 million Design-Build contract to St. Louis-based KCI Construction Company, Inc. (KCI) to design and construct improvements related to the County Courts Project. KCI’s work will include construction of a new addition and substantial renovations to the existing Courts Building and the parking garage beneath it. Once work is complete, all family/juvenile court and detention operations currently conducted at the Family Courts Center (501 S. Brentwood) will be permanently relocated to the new, unified Courts Complex. (St. Louis County)
The new addition will be built on top of the existing parking garage. Two buildings to the west, across South Meramec Ave, will be razed to make room for staging the constriction project.
The two buildings circled in red, located on South Meramec Ave, will be razed, click image to view in Google Maps.
The two are connected via a walkway over the alley. The building at 111 S. Meramec Ave has nearly 72,000 square feet and was built in 1957. The taller of the two, 121 S. Meramec Ave, was built in 1964 and contains nearly 210,000 square feet of space. Both buildings have a negative impact on the Meramec sidewalk, neither will be missed from an urbanist viewpoint. I don’t know the architect of either, a preservationist might object to their planned demolition.
I need to find out if St. Louis County has a long-term plan for the land. Selling to a developer or keeping for surface/structured parking are the two obvious future uses.
Over my years in St. Louis I’ve visited St. Mary’s Hospital on Clayton Road a few times, always to visit others. However, six years ago today I arrived at St. Mary’s Hospital from Saint Louis University Hospital to begin physical rehab following my stroke. I don’t remember arriving, but I do remember leaving a month later.
I took this photo of the original hospital building the day I left, March 21, 2008When I returned for a visit 4 years ago today I took this pic of the original hospital buildingBy October 2010 the building had been razed.
The original building was likely poorly suited for modern medicine but it had much more going for it: quality materials, great proportions, etc. Not every great old building can or should be saved. The problem is I think too many decision makers assume the old must go away without exploring options for reuse. Assumptions can cloud what should be a non-biased analysis.
What replaces the old is usually a disappointment.
In September readers picked the I-64 BRT route between downtown and Chesterfield as their favorite of four bus rapid transit (BRT) routes being studied by the Transportation Corridor Improvement Group (TCIG), which “consists of staff from Metro, EWGCOG, the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, and MoDOT”.
“None” was 2nd in the poll, but the next actual route favored was the West Florissant – Natural Bridge BRT option. On Tuesday the TCIG recommended two locally preferred alternative routes to Metro’s Operations Committee:
After careful consideration and analysis of the transportation corridors, the TCIG recommended as the locally-preferred alternative two BRT projects: I-64 between Chesterfield and Downtown St. Louis, and a north-south route connecting North St. Louis County to Downtown St. Louis primarily via West Florissant Avenue and Natural Bridge Avenue.
The 1-64 BRT corridor spans 23 miles between the City of Chesterfield and Downtown St. Louis. It would serve a limited number of park-and-ride stations along I-64 between Chesterfield Mall and the Central West End. From the Central West End it would travel along Forest Park Avenue into Downtown St. Louis, making a loop through Downtown before ending at the Civic Center Station. As currently proposed, its service frequencies would match MetroLink, and transit prioritization strategies would be implemented along the corridor to speed transit travel.
The I-64 BRT would serve a Central Corridor that hosts 55,000 people and 115,500 jobs within one half-mile, outside of Downtown St. Louis. The addition of this high-performance service to the Metro System would provide the region’s first rail-like transit option in West St. Louis County, offering the first opportunity for all-day, single-seat service between Chesterfield and Downtown St. Louis, and reducing transfers from other areas by half. Along with reducing transfers, it would improve transit travel time within the corridor by 30%, making it a much more attractive alternative to the personal automobile. Ridership projections from EWGCOG’s regional travel demand model show a potential ridership market of 5,100 weekday riders, 2,100 (41%) of whom would be new “choice” riders. That market is projected to grow to 6,800 weekday riders by 2040.
I-64 BRT CONSUMER BENEFIT
End-to-end transit travel time reduced from 76 minutes to 53 minutes
– Compared to auto travel time of 25 minutes
– Offers motorists option of comfortable, affordable, productive commute
Corridor ridership projected to increase 357% from 1,115 to 5,100 weekday riders opening year; 6,800 in 2040
– 2,100 (41%) new “choice” riders opening year
Enhanced service
– BRT option provides single-seat service not currently available
– Reduce transfers by 50%
– End-to-end service available all day, rather than only peak
– Create additional hubs to make local bus service more efficient
This route makes a lot of sense to me. It gets a higher level of transit service on this corridor without the enormous infrastructure expense that would be required for light rail. It would run down Forest Park Ave & Boyle, running right past the proposed IKEA and connecting with the proposed new CORTEX MetroLink station. Transit time would be reduced from three times driving to twice driving. For some that’s still a non-starter, but for others it would allow them to avoid driving/parking headaches while being able to be productive. It doesn’t need to get every driver out of their cars to be a success.
The other transit project included in the LPA is an arterial-based BRT route connecting North St. Louis County to Downtown St. Louis. This service would operate out of the new North County Transit Center, running 16 miles to Downtown via West Florissant Avenue, Lucas and Hunt Road, and Natural Bridge Avenue. As currently proposed, its service frequencies would match MetroLink; stations with a high level of customer amenities would be spaced a minimum of one mile apart; and transit prioritization strategies would be implemented to speed travel.
The combined West Florissant-Natural Bridge corridor hosts 70,000 people and 18,000 jobs within a half-mile, not counting Downtown St. Louis. Supplementing the local bus network in this strong and proven transit market will give residents of North St. Louis City and near-North County their first high-performance, rail-like transit option. It will reduce transit travel time and any required transfers by half. It would also greatly improve access and travel time between some of the region’s most disadvantaged areas and major jobs centers in Downtown and the Central Corridor, particularly if paired with the I-64 BRT option. Ridership projections from EWGCOG’s travel demand model show a potential ridership market of 3,200 weekday riders, 600 (19%) of whom would be new “choice” riders.
W. FLORISSANT–NATURAL BRIDGE BRT CONSUMER BENEFIT
End-to-end transit travel time reduced from 85 minutes to 42 minutes
Corridor ridership projected to increase 23% from 2,610 to 3,200 opening year and 2040 (Natural Bridge)
600 (19%) new “choice” riders
Enhanced service
BRT option supports fast single-seat ride to Downtown St. Louis
If paired with I-64 BRT, travel from North County to CWE and West County would require only 1 transfer between 2 high-speed routes; currently requires multiple transfers and 2-3 local routes
Unlike going to Chesterfield, reaching downtown from North St. Louis County isn’t very direct via car or transit. This will help reduce travel time for existing transit users and is expected to attract new riders. The streetscape improvements along the route will benefit everyone in the area.
Additional information
Travel speeds competitive with MetroLink
Avg MO MetroBus speed = 16.02 mph
Avg MO MetroLink speed = 25.63 mph
I-64 BRT speed = 26.04 mph
WFNB BRT speed = 25.71 mph
The report has very detailed cost projections, here’s the summary:
I-64 BRT: $37.9M capital; $4M net operating
West Florissant – Natural Bridge BRT: $39.1M capital; $2.6M net operating
Additional operational revenue would be necessary for this additional service.
Next Steps
Metro’s board is expected to vote to approve these two locally preferred routes at their March 28th meeting. If approved it goes to East-West Gateway Council of Governments, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the St. Louis region. Once part of our 2040 transportation plan we can seek capital funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Small Starts program.
In the St. Louis region a number of once bustling malls are gone or are on life support, let’s take a look at some examples.
St. Louis Centre
In the 1980s St. Louis Centre was a briefly-popular mall downtown, now it’s a parking garage with sidewalk-facing retail.
St. Louis Centre, April 2006Top level of the MX Garage, August 2012.
Union Station
Union Station came online at the same time, but the retail aspect faded after a few years. The new owner plans to use the former retail area for meeting/convention space.
The midway was once lined with shops
Jamestown Mall
Jamestown Mall in North County is still open, though it was closed twice this winter due to low indoor temperature.
After nearly a three-week closure, Jamestown Mall reopened on Friday.
The mall was shut down on December 20 because parts of the building were not properly heated.
The closure did not affect Macy’s, Sears Tire and Auto Center, JC Penney or Dillard’s. (Fox2)
This mall has been on life support for years, in 2011 there was talk of razing most of the mall and building a New Urbanist village on the site.
Most of the food court is closed, only four stalls still operate, 2011
Northwest Plaza
Originally built as an outdoor mall, enclosed later, finally closed and is being replaced:
The crowds and stores were long gone. Northwest Plaza, once billed as the world’s largest shopping center, stood decaying at one of the busiest intersections in metro St. Louis, done in by new malls in more upscale areas.
Brothers Robert and P. David Glarner announced plans to buy the mall at Lindbergh Boulevard and St. Charles Rock Road and began seeking tax money for most of the redevelopment costs — nearly $50 million. (stltoday)
The mall was located far from Jennings Station & Halls Ferry, not designed to welcome pedestrian shoppers
Crestwood Mall
Crestwood Mall, later renamed Crestwood Court, closed in July 2013:
It’s been more than a year since Chicago-based developer Centrum Partners LLC introduced plans to convert the dilapidated Crestwood Court mall into an entertainment plaza.
A couple of barricades and piecemeal auctions of mall fixtures have been the only sign of activity in Centrum’s $121.3 million redevelopment plan. That changes tonight, when the St. Louis area’s oldest mall officially closes its doors to the public for the last time. (stltoday)
As far as I know redevelopment plans have stalled. For a few years the mall spaces were leased for local artists at little to no rent.
West County Center
This mall opened in 1969, blighted & razed in 2001, reopened in 2002. Since then a department store was razed and a new outdoor-focused entry was built that includes restaurants and a bookstore. Inside the original high standards from 2002 have been lowered.
And my childhood mall in Oklahoma City:
Forty years ago today Crossroads Mall opened not far from my house, it was the largest mall in Oklahoma.
A Crossroads Mall entrance, August 2009
When I visited in August 2009 all four anchor department stores had closed and many interior spaces were vacant. In 2010 NPR’s All Things Considered did a story on the mall, using my image with permission. See Why The Fed Owns A Mall In Oklahoma City.
At the time I thought Crossroads was dead. Crossroads was sold and the new owners have renamed it Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads. Their concept is a focus on the hispanic population:
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (April 25, 2013) – Something big is happening at Crossroads Mall in Oklahoma City, and it may not be what you think. When new owners, Raptor Properties bought the mall in late 2011, the most likely scenario was complete demolition. Luckily for Oklahoma, this original plan has taken a complete 180, and Raptor has partnered with The Legaspi Company to convert Crossroads Mall into Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads.
The change in paradigm will not attempt to resuscitate this mall into its original form, but rather re-imagine a new vision to take advantage of changing demographics. The partnership has unveiled its new plans to convert Crossroads Mall into the nation’s newest Hispanic cultural and commercial center. This has been a successful model, now seen all over the United States in such markets as Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Fort Worth with similar properties.
The driving force behind many of these successful implementations has been California-based realty firm, The Legaspi Company. Raptor Properties has brought that experience and success to Oklahoma by partnering with this firm to oversee the implementation here in Oklahoma City.
Instead of relying on big department stores as the driving force behind traffic, the establishment of a cultural center with weekly programming now becomes one of the first building blocks in bringing families back to the property. This is good news to many cultural and arts organizations constantly struggling to find ways to deliver these types of programs to an under-served population. It is also good news to the Hispanic community seeking opportunities to teach their children more about their cultural heritage. Pilot events since last August have already resulted in a positive response. Each event has produced an average of 2-3 thousand patrons.
Sunday, March 31st, was no exception as the building will be hosted a 10,000-egg Easter Hunt for Hispanic families. The event sponsored by Homeland and Tyler Media was host to over 5000 people. That date also marked the official start of weekly cultural programming, featuring the state’s largest mariachi, Mariachi Orgullo de America.
On March 27th, Raptor announced the acquisition of the building that previously held Dillard’s to house a key element of this new model, the Mercardo. The Mercardo will be a 200+ vendor marketplace designed to serve as a business incubator, offering accessible retail space to a wide variety of products and services.
Other elements that will make the center a new home for Hispanic families will include many commodities focused on the comfort and entertainment of the oldest to the youngest members of these families. Such commodities include increased restroom capacity, increased soft seating including lounges, more restaurants, more play areas and kid’s activities, community services, a health services, financial services, and other non-traditional offerings that would seem out of place in mainstream malls.
Plans unveiled yesterday included architectural rendering of new entrances, a performing arts center, the retail business incubator, and other proposed uses. The hope is that Plaza Mayor will join the list of successful implementations throughout the country, and it is well on its way with 15 new contracts signed since the end of March, and increasing interest from additional national tenants.
From what I’ve seen online this strategy is working. I hope to see in person on a future visit to Oklahoma City.
Six years ago today a tragic shooting took place in the Kirkwood City Hall during a city council meeting:
After storming the meeting and killing five people Thursday night, Charles Lee “Cookie” Thornton was fatally shot by law enforcers. Friends and relatives said he had a long-standing feud with the city, and he had lost a federal free-speech lawsuit against the St. Louis suburb just 10 days earlier. At earlier meetings, he said he had received 150 tickets against his business. (CBS News)
Mayor Mike Swoboda was severely injured, he died 7 months later:
Mr. Swoboda’s health deteriorated following a fall he took in early May, according to his son. He also had cancer. Mr. Swoboda was moved to a hospice on the campus of St. Anthony’s Medical Center on the Tuesday prior to his death. (Webster-Kirkwood Times)
I don’t remember news of the shooting because I was in the intensive care unit at Saint Louis University Hospital, my doctors had put me into a drug-induced coma on the 2nd, after my stroke the day before. I first learned of the shooting when I transferred to SSM Rehab at St. Mary’s on February 25th. At this same time the news was reporting Swoboda would be transferred to a rehab hospital, like the brain injury unit where I’d just arrived.
I spent nearly a month at the brain injury rehab unit at SSM/St. Mary’s
Swoboda ended up being treated for his brain injury at another facility. Not all patients in therapy had brain injuries, some had been in car accidents, had limbs amputated as a result of diabetes, etc.
I thought of the Kirkwood shooting when I recently read last month about Castle Rock, CO now allowing guns to be openly carried into public buildings & parks:
The Castle Rock Town Council heard several hours of public comment on Tuesday concerning the repeal of the firearm open-carry ban before its vote of approval.
According to the Denver Post, Town Manager Mark Stevens favored repealing the ban. A majority of the police department and town staff were opposed to the repeal. (Source)
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