Aldermen Approved Failed St. Louis Centre Forty Years Ago

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s also the 40th anniversary of the start of one of St. Louis’ worst decisions: St. Louis Centre

This Day in St. Louis History, March 17, 1978:
The first step towards St. Louis Centre

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen approved three bills that would set the stage to develop a proposed downtown shopping mall, with the only further step being the acquisition of federal funding. The headquarters of Stx, Baer, & Fuller, which would become Dillard’s just months before the mall’s completion, and Famous-Barr existed with one block separating them between Washington and Locust at 6th Street. The goal was to create an enclosed, urban shopping mall with these two companies as anchors, and the estimated budget was nearly $150 million. St. Louis Centre opened in 1985 as the largest shopping mall in America. It had over 150 stores and 20 restaurants, and was initially a great success. Challenges appeared in the 1990s however, as the Westroads Shopping Center was redeveloped into the St. Louis Galleria and stores began closing. St. Louis Centre closed in 2006, and since then has been redeveloped into a 750-car parking garage and retail center. (From now defunct STL250 Facebook page)

The mall opened seven years later, in 1985.

To any urbanist the idea of razing an entire city block to build one massive internally-focused building is just wrong. Anyone who knew better either kept quiet or were silenced, ignored. Malls in the suburbs are doing great so we must do the same.

The mall is now a parking garage with out-facing retail at the sidewalk level. The oppressive bridges over Washington & Locust are gone.

The mistake has been reversed, but the damage was done long ago. Retailing, once a big part of downtown, is almost nonexistent. Restaurants are now the generators of much foot traffic.

I can’t help but wonder where downtown would be if bills weren’t approved 40 years ago.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen Week 37 of 2017-2018 Session, Last Friday Meeting This Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 37th week of the 2017-2018 session.

No new board bills are on today’s agenda as this is the last friday meeting fir the 2017-2018 session. Below are many bills to finalize today. I don’t know their rules well enough but either some will be passed on Monday April 16th or they’ll suspend the rules to perfect them on the same day as the third reading…my money is on the latter.

8. Board Bills for Perfection – Informal Calendar.

• B.B. #129 – Vaccaro- An ordinance to make it unlawful, subject to those exceptions stated herein, for any person to ride, walk or otherwise lead a horse or horses on, along or over the public streets, alleys and sidewalks within the City and the paths and trails, and any extensions thereof within the City.
• B.B.#262AA – Roddy – An Ordinance affirming adoption of The City Foundry Saint Louis RPA2 Redevelopment Plan, the RPA2 Redevelopment Area and the RPA2 Redevelopment Project, authorizing the execution of a redevelopment agreement between the City and FoPa, for the City Foundry Saint Louis RPA2 Redevelopment Project; prescribing the form and details of said agreement; designating FoPa Partners, as developer of the RPA2 Redevelopment Area; making certain finding with respect thereto; authorizing other related actions in connection with the redevelopment of certain property within the RPA2 Redevelopment Area; and containing severability clause.

9. Board Bills for Third Reading – Informal Calendar.

• B.B.#40 – Vaccaro – An ordinance adding language to Ordinance 62101 that will prohibit the Parking Violation Bureau from doubling a parking meter and parking violation fine if payment is received within twenty calendar days or less. If an appeal of the fine occurs, either through an administrative or state court, where the appellant is found guilty, the fine will not double if payment is received within ten or less calendar days.
• B.B. #34CS – Ingrassia/Spencer/Martin/Guenther/Green/Cohn – An Ordinance facilitating safe passage to and from a health care facilities and prohibiting activities near certain facilities;  containing a severability clause and an emergency clause.

13. Second Reading and Report of Standing Committees.

• B.B.#204AA – Williamson – An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 1020 Union/ 5251 Cates.
• B.B.#266 – Navarro – An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 215 York.
• B.B.#270CS – J. Boyd – An ordinance approving a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program for the City of St. Louis; authorizing certain other actions; amending Ordinance 69427 pertaining to workforce inclusion by amending Sections Three, Four, Five, and Ten of said ordinance, which are codified as Sections 3.110.020, 3.110.030, 3.110.040, and 3.110.090 of the Revised Code, to increase percentage goals for minority, women, and city residents, and to put in place a mandatory one-year disqualification penalty and liquidated damages for developers and contractors who fail to meet the goals; and containing a severability clause.
• B.B.#222AA – Pres. Reed/Vaccaro/Muhammad/Arnowitz – An ordinance directing the Public Safety Director to complete an annual Public Safety Plan (the “Plan”) and present the findings of the Plan to members of the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Aldermen Public Safety Committee.

15. Perfection Consent Calendar.

• STR B.B.#265 – Davis – Pursuant to Ordinance 68937, an ordinance authorizing the honorary street name, Pastor Bennie Lee Thompson, Sr. Avenue, to begin at the intersection of Webster and Sheridan and run east on Sheridan to the intersection of Sheridan and North Garrison.
• STR B.B.#267 – Moore – Pursuant to Ordinance 68937, an ordinance authorizing the honorary street name, Frankie Muse Freeman Boulevard, to begin at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and North Sarah and run east on Lincoln to the intersection of Lincoln and Bishop P. L. Scott Avenue.
• STR B.B.#269 – Guenther – An Ordinance establishing a four-way stop site at the intersection of Iowa and Juniata regulating all traffic traveling northbound and southbound on Iowa at Juniata and regulating all traffic traveling eastbound and westbound on Juniata at Iowa, and containing an emergency clause.
• STR B.B.#271 – Davis/J. Boyd – Pursuant to Ordinance 68937, an ordinance authorizing the honorary street name, Norman R. Seay Avenue, to begin at the intersection of Thomas and Webster run south on Webster to the intersection of Webster and James Cool Papa Bell.
• HUDZ B.B.#171 – Spencer/Ingrassia – An ordinance to revise Ordinance 68610, approved March 16, 2010, pertaining to a semiannual registration fee of two hundred dollars for certain buildings and structures, by removing the fee exemption for properties subject to a specific redevelopment agreement with the City of St. Louis and its development agencies.
• HUDZ B.B.#204 – Williamson – An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 1020 Union/ 5251 Cates.
• HUDZ B.B.#206 – Kennedy – An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 5122-24 Kensington Area.
• HUDZ B.B.#220 – Ingrassia – An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan For the Locust/Jefferson Avenue Area.
• HUDZ B.B.#239 – Bosley – An Ordinance recommended by the Planning, to change the zoning of property in City Block 2485, from “G” Local Commercial and Office District to the “B” Two- Family Dwelling District, at 4231-41 N. Grand; and containing an emergency clause.
• PS B.B.#233 – P. Boyd/Bosley/Moore/Davis/Williamson/
  J. Boyd/Kennedy/Middlebrook/Muhammad/Hubbard/
  Pres. Reed/Spencer/Guenther/Green/Cohn/Ingrassia/
  Navarro – An ordinance amending Ordinance 69984 (which established the St. Louis Civilian Oversight Board) to empower the COB to issue subpoenas to compel the appearance of witnesses, produce documents, recordings and other evidence which the COB determines in its reasonable judgment are relevant and necessary to its thorough Inspection and Review of Complaints of misconduct by members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department which may be subject to COB Independent Investigation.

17. Third Reading Consent Calendar.

• NDC B.B.#254 – Williamson – An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 1301 Union.
• HUDZ B.B.#186 – Davis – an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 65857 pertaining to the Redevelopment Agreement between the City, and Grand Center, as amended, amending same to authorize an application for abatement for the 3637 Washington Fox Garage Project and further amending Ordinance No. 68874 by authorizing a Fifth Supplemental Trust Indenture; and containing a severability clause.
• HUDZ B.B.#245AA – Pres. Reed/Oldenburg/Roddy/Bosley/ Davis/Coatar/Murphy – An Ordinance directing the St. Louis Development Corporation to complete an annual City Economic Growth Strategy Report and present the findings of the Report to members of the Board of Aldermen and the Board of Aldermen Financial Analyst.
• HUDZ B.B.#261 – Roddy – an Ordinance recommended by the Tax Increment Financing Commission of the City to amend the City Foundry Saint Louis Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project areas by amending the Redevelopment Plan by: (1) combining Redevelopment Project areas 2 and 3 into a new Redevelopment Project Area 2; (2) revising the boundary between Redevelopment Area 1 and the new Redevelopment Area 2; (3) changing the use in new Redevelopment Area 2 from residential to retail and office; (4) revising the financing plan to remove tax abatement as an incentive in Redevelopment Area 2; and (5) activating the new Redevelopment Area 2; establishing the City Foundry Saint Louis RPA2 Special Allocation Fund; making findings with respect thereto; authorizing certain actions by City Officials; and containing a severability clause.
• LEG B.B.#99FS – Pres. Reed/Vaccaro/Arnowitz/Navarro/Murphy/ Howard/Boyd – An ordinance pertaining to the collection of funds to assist in the prevention of domestic violence in support of individuals impacted; authorizing the Comptroller to establish “The Domestic Violence Prevention and Family Support Fund”.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen Week 36 of 2017-2018 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 36th week of the 2017-2018 session. As they’re near the end of the session there’s not enough time to introduce anymore new board bills and get them passed.

Today’s agenda includes the swearing in of newly-elected 8th ward alderman Annie Rice. Rice won a 2-way special election on 2/13/18 — she received 59.75% of the 2,144 votes.  See results and precinct results.

There are also two Board Bills for Perfection – Informal Calendar.

• B.B.#99AA – Pres. Reed/Vaccaro/Arnowitz/Navarro/Murphy/ Howard/Boyd – An ordinance pertaining to the collection of funds to assist in the prevention of domestic violence in support of individuals impacted; authorizing the Comptroller to establish “The Domestic Violence Prevention and Family Support Fund”.
• B.B. #129 – Vaccaro? An ordinance to make it unlawful, subject to those exceptions stated herein, for any person to ride, walk or otherwise lead a horse or horses on, along or over the public streets, alleys and sidewalks within the City and the paths and trails, and any extensions thereof within the City.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session. The board will meet again one week from today, after that the next full meeting is Monday April 16th  — known as Sine Die. The next day,  Tuesday April 17th, is the first meeting of the 2018-2019 session.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen Week 35 of 2017-2018 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 35th week of the 2017-2018 session.

NEW BOARD BILLS ON THE AGENDA* FOR INTRODUCTION TODAY 2/23/18:

*Note that just because a bill is on the agenda doesn’t mean it’ll be introduced, similarly, bills not on the agenda might be introduced if they suspend the rules to do so. This information is based on the published agenda as of yesterday @ 8am:

• B.B.#266 – Navarro –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for 215 York.
• B.B.#267 – Moore – Pursuant to Ordinance 68937, an ordinance authorizing the honorary street name, Frankie Muse Freeman Boulevard, to begin at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and North Sarah and run east on Lincoln to the intersection of Lincoln and Bishop P. L. Scott Avenue.
• B.B.#268 – Muhammad –An ordinance prohibiting the issuance of any package or drink liquor licenses for any currently non?licensed premises within the boundaries of the Twenty-First Ward Liquor Control District.
• B.B.#269 – Guenther –An Ordinance establishing a four-way stop site at the intersection of Iowa and Juniata regulating all traffic traveling northbound and southbound on Iowa at Juniata and regulating all traffic traveling eastbound and westbound on Juniata at Iowa, and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#270 – Boyd –An ordinance approving a Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program for the City; authorizing certain other actions; amending Ordinance 69427 pertaining to workforce inclusion by amending Sections Three, Four, Five, and Ten of said ordinance, which are codified as Sections 3.110.020, 3.110.030, 3.110.040, and 3.110.090 of the Revised Code of the City of St. Louis, to increase percentage goals for minority, women, and city residents, and to put in place a mandatory one?year disqualification penalty and liquidated damages for developers and contractors who fail to meet the goals; and containing a severability clause.
• B.B.#271 – Navarro/Williamson — An ordinance pertaining to the Skinker-DeBaliviere Historic District; amending Ordinance #57688, approved September 22, 1973 and having as its subject matter the boundary and regulations and standards for the Skinker-DeBaliviere-Caitlin Tract Parkview Historic District, and providing new standards for the Skinker-DeBaliviere-Caitlin Tract Parkview Historic District.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen Week 34 of 2017-2018 Session

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen will meet at 10am today, their 34th week of the 2017-2018 session.

NEW BOARD BILLS ON THE AGENDA* FOR INTRODUCTION TODAY 2/16/18:

*Note that just because a bill is on the agenda doesn’t mean it’ll be introduced, similarly, bills not on the agenda might be introduced if they suspend the rules to do so. This information is based on the published agenda as of yesterday @ 8am:

• B.B.#260 – Vaccaro – An Ordinance establishing a four?way stop site at the intersection of Pernod and Childress regulating all traffic traveling eastbound and westbound on Pernod at Childress and regulating all traffic traveling northbound and southbound on Childress at Pernod, and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#261 – Roddy –An Ordinance recommended by the Tax Increment Financing Commission to amend the City Foundry Saint Louis Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project areas by amending the Redevelopment Plan by: (1) combining Redevelopment Project areas 2 and 3 into a new Redevelopment Project area 2; (2) revising the boundary between Redevelopment Area 1 and the new Redevelopment Area 2; (3) changing the use in new Redevelopment Area 2 from residential to retail and office; (4) revising the financing plan to remove Tax Abatement as an Incentive in Redevelopment Area 2; and (5) activating the new Redevelopment Area 2; establishing the City Foundry Saint Louis RPA2 Special Allocation Fund; making findings with respect thereto; authorizing certain actions by City Officials; and containing a severability clause.
• B.B.#262 – Roddy –An ordinance affirming adoption of the City Foundry Saint Louis RPA2 Redevelopment Plan, the RPA2 Redevelopment Area and the RPA2 Redevelopment Project, authorizing the execution of a Redevelopment Agreement between the City and FOPA, for the City Foundry Saint Louis RPA2 Redevelopment Project; designating FOPA Partners, as developer of the RPA2 Redevelopment Area; and containing a severability clause.
• B.B.#263 – Middlebrook –An ordinance authorizing the execution of a Cooperation and Community Benefit Agreement with Discovery Pier Land Holdings, authorizing reimbursement in Accordance therewith, and containing a severability clause and an emergency clause.
• B.B.#264 –Guenther –An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 3450 Wisconsin.
• B.B.#265 – Davis – Honorary street name for, Elder Bernie Lee Thompson.

The meeting begins at 10am, past meetings and a live broadcast can be watched online here. See list of all board bills for the 2017-2018 session.

— Steve Patterson