There were two events in the neighborhood yesterday involving real estate development projects that promise to have significant impact on the CWE. At 10 a.m. Tuesday morning dignitaries and guests gathered for a ground-breaking ceremony at the Mills Properties parcel on Euclid between West Pine and Lindell. The parcel, which was at one time labeled an eyesore, will now become the site of the long awaited City Walk, a seven-story mixed-use building that includes a Whole Foods Market and 177 apartments above.
Those pictured in the "hard-hat" shot above include from l. to r., CEO of Mills Properties Bruce Mills, Nan Mills, Project Manager Ron Silverman, Executive Vice President Hank Pieper, Mayor Francis Slay, Executive Assistant Karen Oliver and Darlene Green, Comptroller of the City of St. Louis.
From left, Stacy Kelly, Mayor Slay, Nan Mills, Bruce Mills and Ron Silverman.
Tuesday evening the Planning and Development Committee of the Central West End Association invited neighbors to the Mahler Ballroom to hear a presentation by Minneapolis-based Opus Group for a 12-story mixed-use building proposed for the northeast corner of Euclid and Lindell. The site is currently occupied by the Heart Association building and is adjacent to the Bank of America. Other Opus Group projects in the CWE are Park East Tower and the 9 North Lofts at Euclid and Laclede.
Over one-hundred people heard architect Dean Newins (l. above) and Joe Downs, who manages St. Louis projects for Opus, describe the proposed 145' tall structure which will have 10,000 s.f. of retail space on the ground floor and 217 apartment units (studio, 1 & 2 bedroom, & penthouses) above. Parking will include 240 spots for residents, guests & retail customers, with 70% located on two levels below grade.
Many of the questions from residents centered around potential traffic problems at the busy intersection of Euclid and Lindell, and in the alley behind the proposed structure. The architect assured residents that the alley will not be affected by construction, and delivery trucks will be able to pull onto the property and park at truck bays that will be constructed behind the building.
The CWEA's Planning and Development Committee will meet once again to discuss this latest plan (there have been two previous versions), and make its recommendation to the City's Cultural Resources Office. Following the meeting Tuesday evening there was some concern expressed by several residents about design details and building materials, which have not as yet been presented to the Committee for review. This information has been requested from the developer.
Alderman Lyda Krewson, who introduced the Opus Group last evening, suggested the following:
"I think email is the best way to express opinions on the design of the project. Send to the head of Cultural Resources Office, Betsy Bradley ([email protected]), I would appreciate a copy ([email protected]), but it is not required if you would prefer not to."
Everyone seemed to agree that more density is desirable and that the CWE will benefit greatly from having new residential units on such a prominent corner.