From EcoUrban Homes
CONTACT: Jay Swoboda, 314-231-0400 x4
ST. Louis – Despite the recent ruling against Paul McKee’s plans for a $390 million TIF, strong neighborhood-based development continues to sprout up in many areas covered by McKee’s NorthSide Regeneration Zone. Building on increasing enthusiasm for urban, walkable neighborhoods with a close proximity to downtown, unusually strong development continues to unfold in North St. Louis.
Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, EcoUrban, and Habitat for Humanity St. Louis (currently the largest developer of single-family homes in the region), have all committed to completing projects of significant scope on the Near North Side.
EcoUrban is working with Alderwoman April Ford Griffin, the Regional Housing and Development Corporation (RHCDA), and Community Renewal and Development Inc. to develop eight new single family homes at 25th and Dodier. The homes will be built to the USGBC’s LEED for Homes specifications and feature thoughtful urban design and efficient, green construction. Habitat for Humanity St. Louis, no stranger to LEED certification, is currently completing 17 new homes in Old North St. Louis. These homes feature a modern design and are tracking LEED for Homes Platinum certification. Additionally, Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the transformational Crown Square Project, a 27-building project spanning eight blocks in the heart of North St. Louis’ commercial district, is slated to be held on July 29th. By any measure, North St. Louis is undergoing tremendous redevelopment.
“We are proud of our commitment in North St. Louis, remarked Kimberly McKinney, CEO of Habitat for Humanity St. Louis. “Since 2008, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis has invested $8.1 million towards new home development on the North Side with $5.5 million committed for 2010.â€
“It’s amazing how much positive feedback we’re receiving from the community up here,†said Sal Martinez, Executive Director of Community Renewal and Development Inc. “With a common-sense approach, and a great green projects, it’s easy to draw the attention of leaders and residents committed to making St. Louis a better place for families.â€
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Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis is consistently ranked in the top 30 of the leading 100 Habitat affiliates in the country, and is currently the leading housing developer in the St. Louis Metro Area. The Old North St. Louis Restoration Group is a community-based nonprofit organization established to revitalize the physical and social dimensions of the community in a manner that respects its historic, cultural, and urban character. EcoUrban is a developer of efficient, affordable green real estate developments – helping to create sustainable solutions for St. Louis.
3 replies on “Community-Driven Development on Northside Continues Despite McKee Ruling”
As a frequent business flyer any approach or landing from the East with clear skies will give you the scope of what needs to be done. Sorry, but McKee is only realistic attempt at a vision that covers a large swath and also tries to find a way to finance a massive rebuild of infrastructure that will not and can’t be supported in any means or form from existing rehabs! If you state that I got it wrong, then ask rehabbers to start footing the bill for new streets, sewers, sidewalks, community buildings or buildout the massive number of lots I see from the air.
Tim,
If putting up a lot of new homes, before there’s really a market for these homes, then say, ‘Here, move in people,’ then it’s 2 years later and only 20% of the homes are full.
McKee’s ‘vision is:
1) Displacing families/ neighborhoods (where will they go? they have to go somewhere…and by the way, they are not all ‘thugs’ like some suburbanites would like to think.)
2) Destroying historic homes. Ask Lafeyyete Square or Soulard if history and charm hold value…they do.
3) Last time I heard, I think Tax payers are footing a some of McKee’s bill. How does this sit with you?
Thanks Tim/Business Flyer.
As I continue to push THE message, there is room for both. The bottom line is St. Louis city has a “deficit” population of -350,000
Let’s save the homes that we can and DEFINETLY build new homes, condos, apartments and restore our infrastructure, which a nice portion of the TIF funds were to be used for. I’m beginning to think St. Louis has more doubters than people who have FAITH in the possible. As we think, so are we. One goal and objective does not have to be sacrificed at the expense of the other. To the contrary, they could be mutually beneficial. What I know for sure, I have a precious jewel right next door to me that needs much more than a little TLC, it needs total rehabbing, its been sitting for 30 yrs. Challenge, who’s going to sink $200K into a home and not be reasonably assured of a decent ROI and a decent and acceptable QUALILTY OF LIFE. Let’s be realistic people. When is all of the babbling and squabbling going to stop so we can get busy building and growing. Together we could possbly build something called A TAX BASE!
Let’s not build one side up just to tear another side down. Done in tandem…we all win! Do you think we’ld be paying for trash pick up if we at least had a tax paying population of 500,000. I look for low to moderat, middle and I dare say, upper income folk dwelling together! Sooner rather than later!