Vote for Obama!

Please do exactly as the title says. America depends on it. Obama is the clear choice for urban interests as well as the future of our country.

This will be the first time I ever vote straight party for all offices.

I will be voting for Props B and C as well. I will be voting for Amendment 4, but against Amendment 1. Against Prop A as well. I always vote against every judge.

If you live in St. Louis County, please vote for Prop M.

I can't wait for the results tonight! I have faith in my fellow Missourians and Americans.

Meeting on San Luis Apartments Demolition

A group will be meeting this Sunday to discuss the demolition of the San Luis Apartments on Lindell. We are going to try to come up with an informational flier and discuss a protest. Here are the details:

Sunday, March 16
7:00pm
The Grind

Be there.

There will also be a public meeting on Saturday, march 29, at 9:00. This meeting will be held at the Schlaefly Library Branch at Lindell and Euclid.

Crown Square and Mullanphy Update

Yes, I am alive. I've been too busy to write here. If you haven't noticed, my blogging generally happens on the New Old North blog. which is the purpose of this post. If you haven't been paying attention to that blog, a lot is going on right now. The concrete block wall on the south end of the Mullanphy Emigrant Home is finally rising. The cold weather and abundant precipitation has really slowed the work down, but progress is being made. The first floor is now closed in. Find out more about the building and how you can help at SaveMullanphy.org.

The other major project in Old North is the complete reconstruction of the 14th St. Mall into Crown Square. Work is moving quickly these days, with buildings in all stages of construction. Some units will be ready for occupancy at the end of February. I have many blog posts on the New Old North Blog with updates on the progress, including one from tonight. There are also many picture on the Crown Square Flickr Page. If you are interested in being involved in generating ideas for the public space of the project, which includes 14th St., come to the Charrette on Saturday morning. More info can be found here. The more people, the better.

I may return to writing here this year. We'll see how much work I have to do this semester, which includes looking for a job with a developer or planning firm. If you happen to know of a job opportunity or are looking for an employee that is one semester into a master's degree in Urban Planning and Real Estate Development and has a years worth of intern experience at the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, feel free to send me an email at mattnstl at gmail dot com. I also come with about 10 years worth of experience following development in St. Louis.

Meeting on Blairmont, Among Other Topics

This should make for some good theater. From what I understand there won't be a chance for much crowd interaction with Mr. McKee, but he will be there to make some kind of statement. Unfortunately, or maybe not, I will be in class and unable to attend.

14th St. Mall Construction Begins

Construction on the 14th St Mall in Old North St. Louis has officially begun. Financing for the residential portion closed on Friday, and E.M. Harris wasted no time getting started. Two buildings are now being gutted, with more to start very soon. The commercial component will close within the next few weeks, allowing full scale construction to start. Check out pics of the first day of work from my post over at the New Old North Blog.

Land Assmbly Tax Credit

I'm taking one from the PubDef book. I'll be reporting from Jefferson City tomorrow, where a special session hearing will be held on HB 1. The bill contains the controversial Distressed Areas Land Assemblage Tax Credit, created solely for Paul McKee's "Blairmont." I'll have an update tomorrow. Hopefully some changes will be made to the bill to allow many more developers to qualify, such as removing the size requirement for starters.