CWEMD Board of Directors
December 11, 2008
Central West End Midtown Development
12 N. Sarah St., St. Louis, MO 63108
The Central West End Midtown Development Board of Directors offered its support for a proposal for student housing near the Saint Louis University campus -- but called on the project's developers to build a green building.
The Board reviewed plans for the four-story, 500-bed housing complex at the southeast corner of Laclede and Vandeventer at its December meeting. The site is currently home to the Laclede Street Bar & Grill, a few two-story commercial buildings and a parking lot owned by SLU.
Earlier in December, the CWEMD Development Committee voted to support the proposal, contingent on a review of detailed streetscape, lighting and landscaping plans. In addition, the committee requested the developer seek the base level of LEED certification. The CWEMD Board of Directors, which carries the final decision for CWEMD, decided to adopt the Development Committee’s recommendation -- but up the ante to LEED Silver certification.
LEED is a certification program that evaluates the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Ratings range from the basic LEED Certified to Silver, Gold and Platinum, the highest rating.
The $40 million project includes a five-story, 408-space parking garage tucked behind the building, a central courtyard and 11,000 square feet of retail along Vandeventer. The 135 one- and two-bedroom suites would accommodate two students in each bedroom. If approved, the project is expected to be ready for SLU students by fall 2010 -- when SLU will start requiring all freshmen to live on campus.
The developers,
Campus Apartments of Philadelphia, Pa., currently manage student housing around the country. The project is designed by
Cube 3 Studio of Lawrence, Mass.
The Board directed CWEMD Executive Director Dan Krasnoff to negotiate an agreement with the developers for payment for neighborhood services to CWEMD. Typically, this payment is based on a percentage of the subsidy request. Developers are asking for 10 to 15 years of tax abatement, roughly equal to $4 million, depending on the length of the abatement.
The vote was 6-0 in favor of the resolution, with Peter Pierotti of Saint Louis University abstaining.
The board’s decision is contingent on approval of the Saint Louis University Board of Trustees, which has yet to vote on the plan. CWEMD’s recommendation will be presented to Alderman Joe Roddy and the City of St. Louis.
Campus Apartments Proposal
Current photos of proposed site:
In other business, the Board:
- Approved the 2009 budget
- Reviewed the Executive Director’s report
Board members present: Brian Phillips, Barb Featherston, Peter Pierotti, Chris Papanickolas, Dan Hellmuth, John McElwain, Wendy Timm
Board members not present: John Openlander
Others present: Dan Krasnoff, Kristin Rapinac, Luke Reven