Jekyll2025-10-22T21:08:49+00:00/feed.xmlMetro Jacksonville ArchiveThis is an archive of the Metro Jacksonville articles published between 2006 and 2016. Metro Jacksonvillemetrojacksonville.comMetro Jacksonville to shut down, The Jaxson coming soon2018-07-05T00:00:00+00:002018-07-05T00:00:00+00:00/article/metro-jacksonville-to-shut-down-the-jaxson-coming-soonModern Cities in association with WJCT Public Broadcasting, goes live Monday, July 9.

The Jaxson will continue Modern Cities’ focus on urbanism on a hyperlocal level, taking a street-view look at Jacksonville and the First Coast. Through a combination of detailed analysis, innovative storytelling, and original reporting, the Jaxson explores the big issues facing Jacksonville in the modern era of urban growth. Stories cover development, culture, history, and neighborhood issues from the city’s Urban Core and all across the Northeast Florida region. The ambitious project will also include weekly segments on 89.9 WJCT-FM and offer live, interactive events for those interested in the future of the city.

The Metro Jacksonville team is pleased to report that much of our historic content and photo archive will find a new home at The Jaxson. The forums will remain as well. Soon, the Metro Jacksonville forums and all the old content will be integrated with the new site. Stay tuned for more updates coming in the near future.

The team behind The Jaxson - Ennis Davis, Bill Delaney, Mike Field, Kelsi Hasden, and Dan Herbin - are five Jacksonville residents with a variety of professional backgrounds, including urban planning, English studies, web development, and tactical urbanism. The team has decades of collective experience writing about and promoting urban issues in print and on the web.

“Jaxson is a traditional term for someone from Jacksonville,” said editor-in-chief Ennis Davis. “Fittingly, our new website the Jaxson will be a place for all those interested in learning about the city’s past and present, and who want a part in shaping its future.”

]]>Ennis Davis, AICPGame On: Jacksonville’s Premier Game Bar is on the Rise2018-01-20T00:00:00+00:002018-01-20T00:00:00+00:00/article/game-on-jacksonvilles-premier-game-bar-is-on-the-riseowner Cliff Comastro in December 2016 when the bar first opened, the statement embodies the core values he hopes the business will bring. But can the bricks-and-mortar establishment exist in a world that is moving ever increasingly online?

The Rise of Game Bars

In the US alone, there are approximately 53.6million people are regularly playing console games. The GLHF utilizes not just consoles with the capacity for online play, but PC games and arcade games, providing something for every aspect of the gaming community. Regular events, such as Overwatch and Revival Z tournaments, are also played and streamed on gaming network Twitch, which averages over 100million monthly viewers. By positioning itself as Jacksonville’s top destination to both play and watch games, and one that will be potentially seen by thousands of people, the GLHF Game Bar plans to optimise what the gaming market has to offer.

But are gamers too antisocial for a Bar? To the outsider, the average gamer spends an inordinate amount of time alone in their room so why would a bar with that kind of target market be a lucrative option? Well, gaming is a lot more social than most people would think. Statistics from 2015 show that 15% of frequent gamers play with their spouse or partner and that 39% are frequent players of so called ‘social games’. Add to this the reported 5 hours of game playing per week with other people in person, and 6.5 with others online, gaming is actually a very sociable activity. By dispelling popular myths and providing a location that allows players to game online as they would do regularly, the GLHF Game Bar seems onto a winner.

Bricks-and-Mortar and Online: A Happy Union

Bricks-and-mortar establishments for gaming in are actually on the rise, - and have been since 2013. Arcades that once dominated high streets, and then saw a steady decline, have been absorbed by the inclusive gaming bar, which features the old 8-bit machines for good measure. Many would argue that the rise of digital forces a lot of "barcades" out of business, but, instead of the bricks and mortar establishments fighting off the online competition, the GLHF Game Bar shows that the classic games can exist in tandem and even bounce off one another. For example, classic blackjack is one of the oldest recorded games, dating back to at least 17th Century Spain, yet it has found its feet in the modern world on websites. As we move in to 2018 we will see more sites like Betway Casino offering of live HD blackjack technology means that the traditional format, played in a physical casino, can be blended perfectly with the digital environment to enhance the experience. Arcades are now also seeing something of a revival.


SOURCE: @glhfgamebar via Twitter


Jacksonville Revival

Downtown Jacksonville has a healthy nightlife sector, which can only be expanded by the GLHF Game Bar, which offers something for those who might not be interested in the standard bar crawl or night out by adding a touch of the modern to the city’s landscape. But, while this is not Jacksonville’s first foray into the world of gaming, it is the first that stands firm and offers a showing of new technology. The bar is also a relatively inexpensive way of embarking on a new hobby, if, for the first visit, you only sit and watch other people playing.

The barrier for entry is also a lot lower for new fans and players of games, especially those online that players may be less familiar with. A dedicated staff of avid gamers can help new gamer recruits settle in with a drink and learn the ropes before becoming a fully-fledged gamer. And for those not interested in gaming, the bar itself stands on its own two feet by offering a relaxed and chilled atmosphere for a quieter night. The nostalgia factor of gaming in a bar can also attract those whose gaming days are long behind them, and help to tap into the past. The rise of the barcade can even be seen in Manhattan, whose establishments take inspiration from the games themselves and foster a relaxed atmosphere at the bar, providing a safe haven for gamers from amateur to professional.

The Good Luck, Have Fun Game Bar has just celebrated its 1st birthday and plans to celebrate many more. The possibility of new AR games of Pokemon, Harry Potter, and Animal Crossing offer a host of PR activities and publicity stunts and, with the right marketing strategy, could further breathe life into the bar scene of Jacksonville. The scope for development is huge, especially with the influx of technology that was only imaginable a mere 5 years ago. The future definitely looks bright for the GLHF Game Bar.
]]>Ennis Davis, AICPBill Delaney: Vote No on Amendment 1, FL’s Solar Sham2016-10-27T00:00:00+00:002016-10-27T00:00:00+00:00/article/bill-delaney-vote-no-on-amendment-1-fls-solar-sham
Not so with Amendment 1, a solar energy measure that’s secretly intended to curtail solar energy. Well, it’s not so secret these days, after the Miami Herald caught think tank head Sal Nuzzo openly admitting it at an energy conference a few weeks back. According to Nuzzo, Amendment 1 merely appropriates “the language of promoting solar” - a prospect popular with voters - for a measure that “would completely negate anything [solar advocates] would try to do either legislatively or constitutionally down the road.”



Amendment 1 is backed by most of Florida’s biggest energy companies, who view private solar panels as a threat. The wording implies it would expand solar options, but in reality, it would bar individuals and businesses from purchasing or leasing solar panels from third-party companies. This is already illegal by state law, mind you; Amendment 1 would just take the extra step of making it unconstitutional. Additionally, the measure contains language that, according to Politifact, may ultimately undermine net metering - the ability of solar users to get a stipend from their power company for surplus energy they put back into the grid. It could even open the door for power companies to impose a surcharge on solar customers to make up for the money they don’t spend on fossil fuel.

This is classic crony capitalism: corporations using the government to protect themselves from competition and innovation, in this case by enshrining a fossil era status quo in the state constitution.

There are legitimate questions at the core of the debate over solar power in Florida. If the power companies lose revenue, how can we ensure continued investment in the power grid and infrastructure they’re currently responsible for? How can we make sure solar customers pay their fair share into the infrastructure they benefit from? Unfortunately, rather than pose these questions, the energy companies would rather trick Floridians into altering our constitution through deceitful wording and a slick marketing effort.

Amendment 1 would be a ridiculous thing to add to the state constitution even if it weren’t intentionally deceptive. If it passes, it will not only set solar power back in Florida, it will initiate years of expensive legal challenges and future ballot initiatives dedicated to repealing it. Sunshine State voters who really appreciate the sunshine should vote against the dark and murky Amendment 1.

By Bill Delaney

Bill Delaney is a writer and higher education professional from Jacksonville.

Page 2: Listen to Sal Nuzzo admit to the misleading strategy




“an incredibly savvy maneuver... [that] would completely negate anything they (pro-solar interests) would try to do either legislatively or constitutionally down the road..."


“To the degree that we can use a little bit of political jiu-jitsu and take what they’re kind of pinning us on and use it to our benefit either in policy, in legislation or in constitutional referendums- if that’s the direction you want to take - use the language of promoting solar, and kind of, kind of put in these protections for consumers that choose not to install rooftop.”

]]>TheCatEngine 15 Brewing Approved To Open Urban Beer Garden2016-06-29T00:00:00+00:002016-06-29T00:00:00+00:00/article/engine-15-brewing-approved-to-open-urban-beer-garden


Image Credit: Ennis Davis (before)/Jacksonville.com (after)


The northern building (BUILDING A) currently houses brewery manufacturing and distribution process equipment. The 25,000 square-foot southern building (BUILDING B) houses a small cider production operation encompassing approximately 1,000 square feet.





Engine 15 intends to construct an informal tap room within Building A. This space would be located in a small distinct location in the building's northern section. It would include an outside seating area with a small outdoor recreation component (i.e. bocce ball court, large chess court, horse shoe court, etc.) for the enjoyment of their guests and clients. Ideally, the tap room ideally would be a “fair weather” establishment open during periods of enjoyable weather and off peak hours for the manufacturing and distribution operations of the current building. It is not anticipated that the tap room would be open year round; rather the tap room would be seasonal, weather permitting, open only several days out of the week. The use of Building B is only to provide a common communal space for special events that occur only a few times during the year.





As former light industrial sites in the Brooklyn neighborhood are razed to make way for new multi-family housing development and alike North San Marco sites are poised to see similar redevelopment upon the Overland Bridge project, the area bounded by Myrtle and Beaver represents one of the last remaining areas within the central city that could support expanded economic growth defined by specialty manufacturing operations.



Image Credit: Jacksonville.com

Next Page: Could Engine 15’s Expansion Create A Robust Working Food District In Jacksonville?
 
Article by Mike Field
]]>Ennis Davis, AICP5 Popular Historic Wholesale Districts2016-06-28T00:00:00+00:002016-06-28T00:00:00+00:00/article/5-popular-historic-wholesale-districtsWhat is a Wholesale District?

A wholesale district is an area where a compact cluster of intermediary entities that buy in bulk and sell to resellers rather than to consumers are located. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, hundreds of wholesale districts filled with public market, warehouses and distribution centers developed around rail lines across the country.

Vastly developed before the automobile age, many would be considered to be more pedestrian friendly than the modern industrial park. Due to the construction of interstate highways, advances in the transportation industry, aging infrastructure and flight from the city, most century-old districts have declined or gentrified into other uses.

However, if you're willing to explore, vibrant wholesale districts where adaptive reuse co-exists with historic industrial uses can be found in every region and city of decent size.  Hard to replicate, they help contribute a unique sense of place and a different type of vibe and excitement to urban living. Here's a brief look at five unique historic wholesale districts in various regions of the United States.



5. Honeymoon Yard - Jacksonville, FL



It's a district that many Jaxsons are probably unfamiliar with. Historically, its name originates from 748-acre Reconstruction era residence of Colonel Lucius Augustus Hardee. During the 1890s, a group of railroad magnates led by Henry Flagler converted most of the Honeymoon property into a railyard serving the Jacksonville Terminal.



By the time the terminal became known as the largest south of Washington, DC,  the Honeymoon yard had become surrounded by an impressive list of manufacturers, wholesalers, markets and food related businesses. Although the railroad terminals that made Jacksonville known as Florida's "Gateway City" are gone, the district lives on due to it remaining Florida's most important railroad junction.

Despite most Jaxsons not being familiar with the district's historical name, it's home to the  Jacksonville Farmers Market, Florida's largest and oldest public market, attracting as many as 25,000 visitors a week. Still retaining much of its early 20th century grit and industrial flavor, it's also home to Eco Relics, the largest architectural salvage company within a five-state area.





Next Page: Pittsburgh Strip District

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
]]>Ennis Davis, AICPArash Kamiar: Interview with Matt Willis2016-06-28T00:00:00+00:002016-06-28T00:00:00+00:00/article/arash-kamiar-interview-with-matt-willis-

Matt Willis says we're in an energy boom and personal energy independence is likely. He discusses JEA's strange battle with homeowners installing solar panels. Conversations about the renewable energy industry and cool technologies headed our way.

Matt Willis is a scientist with a passion for clean energy and energy efficiency practices. Matt has worked on different energy projects across the country as well as functioned as an environmental scientist for the federal government. Formerly a research scientist Matt worked on projects from the beaches of Kennedy Space Center to the forests of Washington state. Following a short stint in academia Matt jumped feet first into conveying his passion for a more energy efficient economy through involvement establishing cleaner fuels in the maritime industry. He now is focused on bringing down energy consumption of the built environment through applying efficiency measures. Matt holds a Masters of Science from Cal Poly in Sustainable Energy as well as a Bachelors of Science in Earth Science from Cal Poly. Prior to living in Jacksonville Matt spent 13 years in California where he met his Marni a native Californian. Matt and Marni have a young son named Jas. A native of coastal North Carolina he considers himself a true waterman.]]>TheCatMarcelo Murillo: Nighttime in San Marco2016-06-27T00:00:00+00:002016-06-27T00:00:00+00:00/article/marcelo-murillo-nighttime-in-san-marco
Photography by Marcelo Murillo

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]]>TheCatThe Space Inbetween: Hansontown2016-06-27T00:00:00+00:002016-06-27T00:00:00+00:00/article/the-space-inbetween-hansontown
1920s plat map of Jacksonville illustrating the general area of Hansontown. Photograph courtesy of the City of Jacksonville Planning and Development Department.

The original settlement of Hansontown was the brainchild of Daniel Dustin Hanson. Hanson, a surgeon with the 34th Regiment, U.S. Colored Infantry, acquired a large tract of land northwest of Jacksonville in 1866. His intentions were to develop the property into a communal farming community for black Civil War veterans and freed slaves. Here, they would grow and sell crops, allowing them to pool their earnings towards land purchases. Due to his death in 1868, Hanson's visions did fully materialize but the community, characterized by a divergent street grid, did attract residents. Roughly sandwiched between Hogans Creek, Main, State and Davis Streets, it had grown to 1,623 residents by the time it was annexed into Jacksonville in 1887.


An aerial view of the Hogans Creek channelization project, over Hansontown and Springfield, during the late 1920s. (State Archives of Florida)

Largely built out by the turn-of-the-century, this working class community featured streets as narrow as 15' wide, a small commercial center in the vicinity of State and Julia Streets, several churches and a number of industrial uses in the vicinity of Hogans Creek. These businesses included the Jacksonville Gas Works, Eureka Ice Refrigerator Works, A.M. Illuminating Company and the Havana Cigar Factory. Two of Hansontown’s most well-known and respected residents were Clara English White and her adopted daughter, Eartha Mary Magdalene White. During the 1880s, former slave Clara White became known for feeding hungry neighbors from her two-room house in Hansontown. In subsequent years, Dr. Eartha M.M. White molded these humanitarian acts into the thriving Clara White Mission.


For 50 years, the tomb of Jacksonville founder Isiah Hart, and eight family members, was located near the present day intersection of Laura and Orange Streets. When Hart constructed the 35' tall Hart Monument in 1852, the site was on the outskirts of town. Ironically by the late 19th century, the tomb of the man who made his riches off slave trading was surrounded by neighborhoods populated by freedmen and their descendents. In 1896, the tomb was desecrated by grave robbers and a few years later it was toasted in the Great Fire of 1901. Although still standing, the Hart family graves were relocated to Evergreen Cemetery and the tomb was dismantled in 1902. (State Archives of Florida)

Disaster came with the Great Fire of 1901. Starting in nearby LaVilla, when the day of May 5, 1901 was over, the east half of Hansontown was lost. Like the rest of the city, by 1910 the community had largely been rebuilt. During the rebirth of the city, F.A. Chapman's Carriage Factory became one of Hansontown's largest buildings. In 1911, F.A. Chapman expanded his carriage and wagon business into the neighborhood, building a $200,000 three-story brick and plate-glass structure at Hogan and Caroline Streets. Here, with a capacity of six cars a day, Chapman manufactured carriages and automobile tops and parts.

Nevertheless, Hansontown's days were numbered by the time World War II came around. From its start, it had developed as a working class community for African-Americans. In segregated Jacksonville, its unpaved streets and frame shotgun houses were considered the slums.  It quickly became an easy target for the city's early urban renewal programs. In 1942, a large swath of the neighborhood's west side was removed and replaced with the 700-unit Jefferson-Madison Homes Housing Projects. In 1954, an additional 171 units were added and the complex was named in honor of Joseph Haywood Blodgett.

Blodgett became one of the city's most dangerous places to live by the time it was torn down and redeveloped into a state office complex in the 1990s. Additional economic damage came as a result of the construction of the Jacksonville Expressway in 1957. To make room for what eventually became I-95, housing and businesses were removed in both Hansontown and neighboring Sugar Hill.


Many of Hansontown's narrow streets still were not paved when the neighborhood was razed as a part of the Hogans Creek urban renewal project. Photograph courtesy of the Jacksonville Public Library Special Collections Department.

Still not happy about Hansontown's existence, the City began to participate in the Federal urban renewal program after approval by the state legislature in 1969. With access to more federal money, Hansontown and neighboring areas were immediately targeted for wholesale redevelopment.


Caroline and Broad Street during the early 1970s. Photograph courtesy of the Jacksonville Public Library Special Collections Department.

For Hansontown, the Jacksonville Housing and Urban Development Department envisioned demolishing substandard housing on small lots and replacing them with townhouses, garden apartments and high-rise senior housing. In addition, their Hogans Creek project would replace Hansontown's narrow 19th century street grid with new wide vehicle friendly streets.


The Patten Sales Company building under construction in 1948 at 1021 Hogan Street. This section of Hansontown was razed to make way for FSCJ's downtown campus. (State Archives of Florida).

In 1974, plans were cemented to replace a large 10-block section of the neighborhood with Florida State College of Jacksonville's (FSCJ) downtown campus. To clear a path, Hansontown's residents were relocated and its commercial heart, which included the Chapman Carriage Factory and the neighborhood's street grid was erased. Utilizing 21-acres acquired with local and federal urban renewal funds, the $11 million downtown campus was officially dedicated on August 15, 1977.


FSCJ's downtown campus under construction in 1977. Photograph courtesy of the Jacksonville Public Library Special Collections Department.

39 years later, it's hard to to believe there was a 19th century walkable community between downtown and Springfield. The structures and sites that replaced Hansontown were largely designed to not have any interaction between them and the black neighborhoods surrounding them. However, if you look hard enough, there are a few isolated structures and relics that date to an era passed bye. Here's a look at what remains.

Click Here for neighborhood photo tour with image captions!

Article and photographs by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com

Sources include the Historic Preservation Section, Jacksonville Planning and Development Department and the Jacksonville Public Library Special Collections Department.]]>Ennis Davis, AICPCan CeCe Jefferson Become Next Great Gator Pass-Rusher?2016-06-24T00:00:00+00:002016-06-24T00:00:00+00:00/article/can-cece-jefferson-become-next-great-gator-pass-rusher
Now, the Gators must reload again after losing their top two sack guys; Jonathan Bullard and Alex McCalister had 6.5 each.

There is talent returning on the edge in senior Bryan Cox Jr. and sophomore CeCe Jefferson. Cox (6 feet 3, 260 pounds) has made his mark more against the run, but he did have 3.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries in 2015. The key for him is finishing those “hurries” and turning them into sacks. He had a strong spring and looks to have improved his first step, which gives him a chance to double those numbers as a senior.

Jefferson (6-1, 270) was a five-star recruit and had a solid freshman campaign with 3.5 sacks. During the spring, coaches experimented with moving him inside at times, much like Bullard last season. Jefferson played inside at times during his high school career, and his quickness could be an advantage in nickel situations. Jefferson’s ability to bounce inside and out gives Collins flexibility in his game-planning.

To read the remainder of this article, click here.

This article originally published at www.gridironnow.com.

]]>1010xlThe Big Clayton Development Roundup2016-06-23T00:00:00+00:002016-06-23T00:00:00+00:00/article/the-big-clayton-development-roundupArticle provided by

www.nextSTL.com

The St. Louis Business Journal has a nice feature story roundup on the more than $500M in development happening in and near downtown Clayton. With so much happening, it’s a good time to put all our coverage of the big Clayton projects in one place. The Central West End in St. Louis City, including construction at the medical center campus and Cortex, is leading the urban building boom in the region (click here to see a tour of those projects), but with the soon to be detailed Centene project, Clayton isn’t far behind. Here’s our rundown of what’s going up in Clayton:


Opus Plans $41M, 120-Unit Mixed Use Project on Clayton’s North Central Avenue:



Opus Development is planning at $41M mixed use project at North Central and Maryland Avenues in downtown Clayton. The developer has two parcels under contract for the six story, 210Ksf building that would house 120 one and two bedroom apartments, 13,500sf of street level retail, and 145 below grade parking spaces.


The project spans nearly half a block on Clayton’s central commercial strip. The storefronts have been vacant since a failed effort to build a 245 room Westin hotel and retail development. That effort included retail development on the north side of Maryland Avenue as well.



212 S. Meramec to Add Residential Tower, Retail in Downtown Clayton:


212 S Meramec_1


The Crossing (212 S. Meramec) will be CA Venture’s first project in St. Louis.  The “CA” is abbreviation for Campus Acquisitions. With nearly 30 U.S. and Canadian student housing projects, the company looks for development opportunities in metropolitan areas with large universities that are lacking in residential housing for students.


Chesterfield-based HDA Architects is design lead for the project. The new 250-unit glass-and-aluminum tower will feature a rooftop swimming pool, ground-floor retail, and four levels of underground parking. In December of 2013 nextSTL was first to report on this development.



$55M Vanguard Set to Add 229 Apartments to Clayton:



A mid-rise development at the edge of Clayton may add to that city’s mounting residential boom. The $55M, 229-unit Vanguard Clayton development is set to be built on land once envisioned as part of a massive mixed-used project anchored by Brown Shoe Company.


The property at 8500 Maryland Avenue is under contract by Covington Realty Partners. Brown Shoe sold the property in 1994, buying it back in 2007 from the Sarah Lee Corporation, which moved its offices to suburban Chicago. The larger project was shelved in 2008 amid the broad economic downtown. It was planned to have 1.25M sf of office space, 300 condos, a hotel and 70,000sf of retail space on 12 acres.



500Ksf Mixed-Use Development Planned for Vacant Hanley-Clayton Road Site:



Vacant for nearly two decades, the prominent corner of Clayton and Hanley Roads may finally be redeveloped. Planned is more than 500Ksf of retail, including a grocer, more than 40Ksf of office space, and as many as 291 residential units.


GBT Realty Corporation of Nashville, Tennessee enlisted HDA Architects to complete preliminary design work. A proposal in 2009 envisioned more than 100Ksf of office space and a 200-room hotel. The GBT plan is almost a mirror image of that proposal, which placed an office tower at the busy intersection.



$68M, 14-Story, 233K SF Office Building Proposed for Clayton:



Apogee Associates, LLC is proposing a $68M, 14-Story, 233K sf Class A office building at 8125 Forsyth in downtown Clayton. The authorized agent of Apogee is listed as Jared Novelly, the head of Crest Management which manages the adjacent Merrill Lynch Centre at 8235 Forsyth, Region’s Centre at 8182 Maryland Avenue, and the Lawyer’s Title Building at 8230 Forsyth.


The site at 8125 has long been speculated as a building site for an office tower. nextSTL reported in 2013 that plans were progressing on a then-~200K sf building. ACI Boland Architects remains the designer for the project. The building will be connected to the existing parking garage situated behind adjacent buildings occupying the block of towers.



Design for Big Changes for Clayton’s Shaw Park Revealed:



The City of Clayton has worked with SWT Design to create a plan to transform the northeast corner of Shaw Park. The refined plans, which will be reviewed by the city’s Architectural Review Board at an upcoming meeting, closely mirror those depicted in the park’s master plan, also by SWT.


Chapman Plaza, as the north entry is titled, would lead to a cascading water feature and pond. The project is part of a first phase identified in the park’s master plan. Phase II could include “Century Garden”, a new eastern entry to the park, with an additional phase introducing an adjacent new multi-purpose facility.



Townhomes Planned for Harris Armstrong Home Site in Clayton:



A Harris Armstrong designed residence, long altered and converted to a office space with a small apartment at 121 N. Brentwood Boulevard in Clayton, is currently under demolition. Conceptual plans by Michael Lauren Development LLC and the Lawrence Group call for a  $3.6M four-unit townhome development on the site.


The well-known white stucco building at the corner of Westmoreland Avenue and Brentwood Boulevard, just north of Maryland Avenue, had been vacant for several years. It was purchased by the developer in September of last year for $665K.



Solire “Millennial” Micro Apartments Planned for Downtown Clayton:



Plans have been submitted for review by the Clayton Architectural Plan Commission for a $10M, 78-unit apartment complex on the site of a now demolished Art Deco building. That building was removed in 2014 and the site has been vacant since.


The proposed apartments are a “Millennial” project, a reference to the small unit sizes proposed. There would be 28 units under 400sf, 30 just under 600sf, and 22 at 800sf in the 3-story, 50ft building, just east of Clayton’s central business district at 15-23 Lee Avenue.



Centene Clayton Campus Application for Architectural Review Submitted to Clayton:



Yeah, it’s a bit of a tease. There are no images to go along with the Centene Clayton Campus application submitted to Clayton for architectural review. The Clayton Planning and Development page states, “**Plans have not been submitted. Plans will be presented at the 06/06/16 Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board meeting.**”


We’ll wait along with everyone else until images are shared, but the application isn’t completely devoid of information. It confirms that plans are in place for Centene’s expansive holdings along Hanley Road and Forsyth Avenue in downtown Clayton.



St. Louis County Family Courts Project Nearing Completion:


STL Courts 4

The Family Courts Project in downtown Clayton is finally nearing completion. The $122M, 152K sf development remains roughly on schedule for the late 2016 opening date set a couple years ago. KCI Construction of St. Louis and Fentress Architects of Denver were selected for the design-build project.


According to information released by St. Louis County, existing facilities experienced significant renovations, and office space was expanded, in addition to the new building constructed at Central and Bonhomme Avenues atop the court’s existing parking garage.


______________________


One that might be coming:


Westin Hotel, Residential, Office and Retail Proposed for Brentwood at Forsyth:



According to the Post-Dispatch, Apogee Associates, LLC has plans for more development in Clayton. Just a half block east of the proposal feature above, Apogee imagines a 230-room Westin hotel, 62 residential units, 200K sf of office, and “high-end luxury brand shopping”. An ice arena and amphitheater is proposed in nearby Shaw Park.


The ideas represent just one proposal submitted to the City of Clayton in response to a Request for Qualifications for the city-owned lot at the northeast corner of Brentwood and Forsyth Boulevards (embed below). It is the only plan, according to the Post-Dispatch, for which details were available.



Two that we’ve nothing about in some time:


Montgomery Tower in Clayton Moves Ahead with Revised Design:



A revised design for the $100M Montgomery Tower at the corner of S. Central Avenue and Forsyth Boulevard has been submitted to the City of Clayton. New plans by the architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz out Chicago reveal a 31 story, 546K sf, glass apartment tower with street level retail.


In January, this site was first to report the nearly decade old project had been revived. At the time, Joel Montgomery Jr. of Webster Groves-based Montgomery Development told nextSTL that market conditions were favorable for a high-quality apartment tower, and that he was optimistic about moving forward in 2014.



Residential Conversion in the Works for Clayton Seven-Up Building:



nextSTL has learned there are plans for another new residential building project in downtown Clayton. 100 units are expected to be developed by the Koman Group at 121 S. Meramec, site of the former World Trade Center and Seven-Up Buildings. According to nextSTL sources the commercial real estate firm has reached an agreement in principle with St. Louis County regarding the development site.


In 2013 the 13-story 210,000 sq. ft. building, constructed in 1964, was designated for demolition. An adjoining building, also formerly owned by soft drink maker Seven-Up, was also set to be leveled as part of the neighboring County Courts $130 million expansion and renovation. The Koman Group is now expected to re-skin the exterior and completely overhaul 121 S. Meramec property inside and out.


______________________


And one that won’t be happening:


Revised Maryland School Townhome Project in Clayton Downsized Again:



The Clayton City Plan Commission & Architectural Review Board recommended the city’s Plan Commission approve the project at a meeting Tuesday. The commission instead recommended by a vote of 6-1 that the Clayton Board of Alderman reject the requested rezoning. The vote likely ends the effort to build townhomes at the long vacant school site. The latest iteration of the development plan is below. It would have placed six single-family homes across from existing single-family homes, and 25 townhomes facing a surface parking lot and parking garage owned by Washington University in St. Louis.


In short, a small number of immediate neighbors continued to demand that only single-family homes are appropriate for the vacant school site, which sits about a quarter-mile from the Forsyth MetroLink station and adjacent to parcels abutting Forsyth zoned as central business district. The outcome likely means only single-family homes development will occur here. If the school is demolished, approximately 14 lots could accommodate development.



Article provided by

www.nextSTL.com]]>TheCat