Steph Kukuljan
Welcome toجBrick City, an award-winning weekly newsletter about development from across أغر؟´«أ½. Every Wednesday afternoon, I share recent stories and exclusive insights about the projects and people impacting our region.
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Uncertainty in the local market
Commander Brian Farmer (center) coordinates how to move air and fuel assets to assist the affected areas around the Florida Keys at the U.S. Coast Guard coordination center for Hurricane Irma on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, at the Robert A. Young Federal Building downtown. The Coast Guard setup the temporary center in أغر؟´«أ½, far enough away from the storm, knowing أغر؟´«أ½ would not lose electrical power and the ability to coordinate communication. The number mission of the Guard is to save lives. Laurie Skrivan,
Seven properties across the bi-state area are on the federal government's hit list in a bid to save money. But questions are swirling over whenج— or if anyج— of these buildings will close.ج
President Donald Trump's administration tasked billionaire Elon Musk to find ways to curb spending through a newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Its rollout has been more chaotic than efficient. At the same time, the federal agency in charge of government real estate announced its own plan to cut costs through sales.
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At least two of the local buildings are prominent: The Robert A. Young Federal Building in downtown أغر؟´«أ½ and the Food and Drug Administration lab in the Central West End.ج
But neither the GSA nor agencies at the buildings are answering questions on reasons, timelines, sale plans or possible layoffs.
Fight intensifies over county HQ
The أغر؟´«أ½ County government is up against a 2028 deadline to upgrade its longtime headquarters or move out.
But a councilman says the county executive hasn't been forthcoming about the exact costs, my colleague Kelsey Landis reports.
Councilman Dennis Hancock has a top-line figure — $103 million — for how much it will cost to install fire sprinklers and abate asbestos, the minimum work the county can do to bring its downtown Clayton building up to code.جHe wants a line-item breakdown.ج
“We don’t know if these came from actual quotes or if they came from somebody’s imagination,†Hancock said.
County Executive Sam Page prefers to replace the county headquartersج— at a significantly higher cost than installing sprinklersج— because he believes the building has too much deferred maintenance.ج
But Page's relationship with the council has disintegrated over a bevy of issues. Talks over what decision the county should make regarding the headquarters building have effectively ceased.
City moves forward on NorthSide plans
The city of أغر؟´«أ½ is advancing plans to seize dozens of properties owned by controversial developer Paul McKee and his NorthSide Regeneration company, my colleague Jacob Barker reports.ج
Officials said it sent offer letters to McKee, a key step in the eminent domain process. They also plan to seize more properties, officials said.ج
But a lawyer for NorthSide Regeneration criticized the city, saying it bungled handling federal money and shouldn't be trusted to take on more responsibility.ج
“There has been no demand for or investment in this area of north أغر؟´«أ½ for the last 50 years, either on the part of the city or regional developers. This is opportunism at its worst,†Paul Puricelli, the lawyer, said.ج
In Case You Missed It
Reporter's Notebook
New retailer in town: PGA Tour Superstore will move into the former Bed, Bath & Beyond space on Highlands Boulevard Drive in Manchester. The golf equipment chain carries apparel, footwear and gear for golf and pickleball. The West County store, its first in the region, will also feature aجputting green and practice bays for customers to use. The store is expected to open in the fall. Evan Barnett, senior vice president of commercial real estate firm Pace Properties, represented the owner on the deal.
Downtown West building hits the market: The New Life Evangelistic Center building is up for sale. The five-story, former YWCA on Locust Street is being marketed as an apartment redevelopment. The Italianate building, with diamond brick patterns, is a few blocks from City Museum and 21c Museum Hotel. Ben Cherry of Manor Real Estate .ج
Apartment amenity: A Starbucks coffee shop will open at the Mila Apartments in Ellisville. Located off Manchester and Clarkson roads, the apartment complex is slated to open in June.ج
Keep In Touch
I love to hear from readers. Reach out with questions, news tips and other thoughts atجskukuljan@post-dispatch.com. You can also follow me on Blueskyججand on Instagramج
