JULY - SEPTEMBER 2022
We made it through a hot summer and fall is in the air.
We have recently seen great new development in Crestwood. We had ribbon cutting ceremonies for a new Taco Bell, a new Dollar Tree, a new Aldi, and a newly updated McDonalds. I can't remember a time in recent history that realized such growth and new energy in our city. It's very exciting and it's a great time to live in Crestwood!
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Click on the topics below to view each article.
As reported in the last quarterly newsletter, a developer has plans to build approximately 276 “high end” apartments (one, two, and three-bedroom units) and two new commercial buildings with over 12,000 square feet of retail / service / restaurant space. No tax incentives were requested for this project.
The developer for this property is Lux Living, which is owned by Victor Alston and Sid Chakraverty. Lux Living is one of the area’s largest apartment developers and has been the target of several negative articles in the St. Louis Post. Those articles point to issues with property maintenance, tax abatements, and parking at various sites.
Crestwood was aware of the developer's negative press before the public hearing for the preliminary development plan. City staff reviewed their application and site plans very closely.
The city planner and the Planning and Zoning Commission added over 35 conditions that must be met by the developer regarding how the site is built, setbacks from residential areas, lighting, ongoing maintenance, stormwater management, landscape buffers, parking, etc.
Crestwood also has a rental inspection program whereby every apartment is inspected for any issues prior to the tenant moving in. If any issues are found, they must be corrected with a follow-up inspection before occupancy can occur. This inspection process is required for any apartment that has a new tenant moving in, not just the first time but every time new tenants apply.
Lastly, it's worth noting that the city cannot legally deny any developer that meets all city codes and requirements. Cities that have tried this have been taken to court and normally lose. So, Crestwood worked within the legal framework to impose sufficient requirements and inspections.
This developer did NOT request any tax incentives for this project – which is great. Since no tax incentives were requested, the city cannot impose additional restrictions that typically accompany such an agreement. In my opinion, Crestwood city staff did a great job researching the project and has added the necessary levers needed to ensure that this development serves our area in a positive manner.
I have not heard any official timeline for the project, but in the application packet the developer stated their intent to start mid-2023 and complete within two years afterwards.
As you probably recall, Crestwood residents overwhelmingly approved a 1/4 cent sales tax to help fund “in-house” ambulance service by the Crestwood Fire Department. Revenues from that tax will start arriving in city accounts around December or January.
Fire department personnel completed an extensive research and evaluation process to select the size, make, and model of the ambulance to be used. They issued an RFP and received four proposals from qualified vendors. Each response was ranked against over 275 bid requirements and one vendor was selected for the purchase of Ford F-550 4x4 based units from Osage Ambulances in Linn Missouri.
Just like other vehicle purchases, the delivery times are very long, and the city expects that the new ambulance won't arrive until 2024. However, the selected vendor also had an existing 2022 model in stock, which the city also purchased. That “demo” model should be delivered later this year. This will allow the city to start ambulance service sooner, and the 2022 model will become the backup ambulance when the other arrives in 2024. Payment for the 2024 will be due when it is delivered.
As is typical in neighboring fire stations, the ambulance will be the most used vehicle with multiple dispatches each day including trips to area hospitals. It is critical to have a “backup” ambulance for those times when the primary ambulance is unavailable due to repairs and service. For the year or so when Crestwood will only have one ambulance, it will coordinate with neighboring fire departments to “rent/borrow” one of their spares when needed.
There are still additional processes to be worked out, including staffing, billing, and collection related activities and vendors. The department is targeting mid-2023 to start in-house ambulance service. It will continue to partner with Abbott until that time.
Quick Update - As reported in the last newsletter, the old Firestone store next to the former mall site was declared blighted and the potential for eminent domain was enabled. I'm glad to report that Dierbergs, the owner of the store, and the owner of Kirkwood Audi (who leases the building) were all able to come to an agreement and the site is under contract for purchase. Dierbergs hopes to close on the property later this year.
Kirkwood Audi will continue to use the building as an off-site vehicle prep shop, until Dierbergs is ready to start development on that part of the property (probably another year or so). That is the last "non-original" portion of the property that will be acquired so that the entire site can be developed in a cohesive manner. Good news for Crestwood.
Hopefully by now you have heard that 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of Crestwood, which was founded in 1947. There have already been various events to celebrate this milestone, but the biggest events will happen on Saturday October 15. You won’t want to miss it.
The day will start with a 5K “Pumpkin PI” run at Whitecliff Park beginning at 8:00am. Since it’s fall, organizers decided to embrace the season and winners in various age brackets will win a pumpkin pie. The course length will be 3.12 miles, as a nod to the mathematical symbol PI which is 3.12… I signed up to participate and there is still time for you to come join me. Follow this link to register or get more information.
Starting at noon, there will be a parade down Watson Road (so be aware that it will be closed around this time). Ward 3 Alderman Greg Hall is the parade organizer, and he has been working very hard to line up participants including local schools, businesses, the Schnucks giant shopping cart, and potentially the Clydesdales (if they aren’t appearing at a Cardinals playoff game that day). The parade will start at Watson and Sappington at noon and will go east on Watson, ending at Grant Road. Come early to get a parking spot along the route.
Taste of Crestwood is a multi-destination event throughout the city. Many businesses and locations will be hosting local bands, providing special deals, with food and drinks. Too many to list here, but the biggest will be at the Woodard’s main stage at their location with live broadcasts from K-SHE radio, Schnucks food stations, and more classic rock style bands.
The day will complete with fireworks visible from Watson Road locations at 8:30pm.
For more details on all of this and more – check out the website at crestwood75.org. Many thanks to the 75th Anniversary committee and its chairman Ward 4 Alderman John Sebben who has spent many many hours to make this happen.
This celebration only happens once very 25 years, so don’t miss it!
Sappington House Foundation’s request to disassemble and move the 1816 Joseph Sappington Log House was approved by the Crestwood Board of Aldermen about a year ago on September 28, 2021.
The house is currently located in Affton but is being disassembled log-by-log and will be reassembled in the Crestwood Sappington Park, the site of the Thomas Sappington House Museum, the Library of Americana, The Barn restaurant, and Loft Gift Shop.
The non-original parts of the home were removed and demolished – including a small addition on the west side and the front porch. Interior demolition was completed last year, and the house sat untouched for many months since then.
In August and September, the heavy machinery arrived, and the big work was started. They first removed the roof and quickly discovered that the massive stone chimneys were not solid stone but had a rubble interior which made them unstable as the walls near them were removed.
The workers finished removing the logs from the second story of the building and then turned their attention to those three fireplaces. The exterior stones and hearths are being tagged, removed, and sorted. The interior rubble will not be moved to the new site.
After the remaining logs and critical components are disassembled, they will be moved to a storage yard. There, they will be inspected, cleaned, and repaired. Any logs that cannot be salvaged will be replaced with logs from other historic structures. Eventually the Sappington cabin will be reassembled at the storage yard to ensure it all goes together as needed.
After the site at the Sappington Park is prepared, including a new full basement – the logs will be moved and reassembled at the park. Just as it sounds, this entire process is very expensive, so the Sappington Foundation continues its fundraising efforts. Once sufficient funds are raised, then plans will be finalized for this final leg of the journey.
This project has received plenty of attention in the media:
- Post Dispatch
- Call Newspaper
- YouTube video
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