Lets All Thank and Praise Biondi for Turning Midtown into West Co. (St. Louis: appointed, city hall)

[masterwood89]

"Father" (Shouldn't be called that anymore) Biondi yesterday was granted permission to demolish the Pevely complex on Grand and is to build his suburban medical center after he was denied permits earlier this year. This goes to show everybody that all the aldermans, city hall, and especially the mayor are easily swayed and should be imediately removed from all positions of power within the city limits.

EVERYONE ONE who can vote in city elections should not vote for Mayor Slay anymore since the blame is put squarely on his shoulders since he doesn't have the balls to stand up for the city he so boldly claims he loves.

My favorite qoute from Biondi

“What I forsee, if you don’t approve our request, is that we would have to shut down our medical school and find property in west county,” noting that 35 years ago, Maryville offered up land for the university to move west. Earlier, Biondi cited the school’s record of renovating and restoring historic buildings and also highlighted the law school’s impending move to downtown. (KMOX)

Can we say bull**** on Biondi since there is no way SLU can stay a top 50 university if the medical school went to Chesterfield. Also restoring what buildings, because all I see is open lots and parking spaces. Like a commenter on another website said if it happened this would be the perfect fit for UMSL. We as citizens of the city and the residents of the metro have to realize that as long as the current members of power in the city have control over St. Louis will always be in a state of medoricrity. If you want to read more on the meetings with Biondi (NextSTL) (http://www.nextstl.com/historic-preservation/planning-commission-reverses-preservation-board-overrules-public-opinion-to-allow-demolition-of-pevely-buildings - broken link)

[aragx6]

I was extremely disappointed by this decision as well.

[masterwood89]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I was extremely disappointed by this decision as well.

It's not so much the fact that Pevely is being demolished more so the plans for SLU's new medical center and how it's just more "green space" like we need anymore of that in the city. I don't see why it is so difficult to incorporate the existing fabric with SLU's medical center.

[trailblazer33]

Wait, so even the corner Pevely building will now be demolished too? Everything?

[masterwood89]

Originally Posted by trailblazer33

Wait, so even the corner Pevely building will now be demolished too? Everything?

I posted a link at the bottom of my original post to a website that knows more than me, but it looks like it will be demolished for a driveway and green space, but not 100% sure.

[aragx6]

Everything trailblazer.

The plans are moronic, the buildings already there are perfectly salvegable (and will cost a fortune to tear down) and are on the Natonal Register of Historic Places.

Apparently their main argument appears to be that because they're moving the law school downtown and showing such a fine commitment to the city, that we have to let them do whatever they want.

As usual Next STL has some of the best round up of the issue.

The neighborhood needs more density and activity, especially at this critical intersection. A new healthcare facility, if designed with sensitivity to the now dwindling urban context, would also heavily contribute to connecting South Grand with Grand Center and creating a unified corridor.

In a neighborhood that desperately needs so much investment, why would anyone spend $890,500 to destroy a historic register building? Especially when they own a massive vacant lot directly across the street. Entire blocks have been demolished as recently as last year.

SLU’s argument for demolition of the Pevely is that “there is no discernible neighborhood within which the property contributes”, that the buildings don’t “contribute to the neighborhood or streetscape”.

-- Because you've destoyed it all Biondi!

[trailblazer33]

The last quote, that “there is no discernible neighborhood within which the property contributes,” that the buildings don’t “contribute to the neighborhood or streetscape” is sickenly hilarious, because it's at LEASt partially SLU's fault that there is no discernible neighborhood left.

[Dawn10am]

I think the saddest part is that the smokestack will likely come down as well. They say it's "dangerously deteriorated" and the tuckpointing alone will cost $500,000. Really, SLU? You can't come up with $500,000? That's one of the most prominent smokestacks in the city. They could at least figure out a way to keep it up as a concession to the thousands of people they've outraged by this decision.

[aragx6]

That's exactly right trailblazer. They are not stewards of their city and Biondi should be ashamed of himself, but the real problem here is the Planning Commission for allowing this to happen. Way to roll over and play dead, guys.

[BoomBoxing]

I agree. That is really really shameful. What's worse, is that the location of metrolink right there at Grand could turn Midtown into the region's best example of TOD and return it to its rightful urban form. But because SLU basically owns Midtown, we get a giant suburban campus that's even less urban than UMSL's campus. At least Grand Center and Midtown Alley are doing better.