2008 Woodie Awards
SLU to expand campus perimeters, develop retail space
Candace Potter
Issue date: 7/22/07 Section: News
Currently unused, the lot at the northeastern corner of the Grand-Lindell intersection may soon boast coffee shops, retail outlets and restaurants.
Over the course of 10 years, Saint Louis University gradually accumulated the land that makes up the 4.2-acre lot. As office buildings, fast food restaurants and bars vacated property at the intersection, SLU bought the land, piece by piece. The University's most recent acquisition is the Missouri Office Building, which it purchased earlier this year.
"Since [we acquired] the first acre, we began to think about the development possibilities," said Kathleen Brady, vice president for facilities management and civic affairs.
With a sizeable lot in place, SLU issued a request for proposals for developing the property; it received three responses in April. Last month, SLU signed a letter of intent with McCormack Baron Salazar, a national housing developer of mixed-income urban neighborhoods. SLU will also be partnering with U3 Ventures, which specializes in retail development around university campuses.
"Currently, developers are talking to various retailers to see what interest they have in opening stores [at the intersection]," said Peter Pierotti, SLU manager of real estate development.
With 100,000 square feet of retail space available, ideas for the space are plentiful. Whether it becomes a grocery store, movie theater or bookstore, developers say the space will be an asset to area residents.
During the summer months, the campus loses a great deal of its inhabitants. Brady said that the housing, as well as retail and entertainment establishments, would encourage non-students to live in the neighborhood and give the area a more substantial year-round population.
Planners say that the property will also bridge the campus to the surrounding community. "Once students are comfortable with the area, they are more likely to go over to Grand Center Arts District," Brady said.
The planners hope that the development will bridge the gap between the University campus and Grand Center, acting as a "stepping stone" where students can have coffee or light dinner before attending an art event.
SLU administrators say that they have sought input from students and the community, having them complete a survey assessing their wants and needs for the space.
"We just conducted a 12,000-person survey to see what people want, so we have reached out to students and the community," Pierotti said.
Brady said the project team is currently in the "fact-gathering stage." Developers are even surveying the patrons of the art district to generate ideas for additions to the Grand Center area.
Though Brady said the developers "would love to see construction start in 2008," no definite costs, fundraising methods or building schedules have been yet determined.
Over the course of 10 years, Saint Louis University gradually accumulated the land that makes up the 4.2-acre lot. As office buildings, fast food restaurants and bars vacated property at the intersection, SLU bought the land, piece by piece. The University's most recent acquisition is the Missouri Office Building, which it purchased earlier this year.
"Since [we acquired] the first acre, we began to think about the development possibilities," said Kathleen Brady, vice president for facilities management and civic affairs.
With a sizeable lot in place, SLU issued a request for proposals for developing the property; it received three responses in April. Last month, SLU signed a letter of intent with McCormack Baron Salazar, a national housing developer of mixed-income urban neighborhoods. SLU will also be partnering with U3 Ventures, which specializes in retail development around university campuses.
"Currently, developers are talking to various retailers to see what interest they have in opening stores [at the intersection]," said Peter Pierotti, SLU manager of real estate development.
With 100,000 square feet of retail space available, ideas for the space are plentiful. Whether it becomes a grocery store, movie theater or bookstore, developers say the space will be an asset to area residents.
During the summer months, the campus loses a great deal of its inhabitants. Brady said that the housing, as well as retail and entertainment establishments, would encourage non-students to live in the neighborhood and give the area a more substantial year-round population.
Planners say that the property will also bridge the campus to the surrounding community. "Once students are comfortable with the area, they are more likely to go over to Grand Center Arts District," Brady said.
The planners hope that the development will bridge the gap between the University campus and Grand Center, acting as a "stepping stone" where students can have coffee or light dinner before attending an art event.
SLU administrators say that they have sought input from students and the community, having them complete a survey assessing their wants and needs for the space.
"We just conducted a 12,000-person survey to see what people want, so we have reached out to students and the community," Pierotti said.
Brady said the project team is currently in the "fact-gathering stage." Developers are even surveying the patrons of the art district to generate ideas for additions to the Grand Center area.
Though Brady said the developers "would love to see construction start in 2008," no definite costs, fundraising methods or building schedules have been yet determined.
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