So the Central West End is beginning the process of producing a “Development Plan & Code for the area bounded by Kingshighway, Forest Park Avenue, Vandeventer, McPherson Avenue, Whittier Street and the alley to the north of Lindell Boulevard (link to map). An invitation on the 17th Ward website reads: “Please join us from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27 at Schlafly Library, 225 N. Euclid, for a presentation and discussion led by H3 Studio of the Sustainable Development Plan & Code, a proposal to guide future development in the southern part of the Central West End.”
Part of the plan brief states: “The plan will ensure that development is done in an urbanistic fashion that enhances the Central West End as St. Louis’ premier neighborhood.” One would imagine that this would not include the demolition of a mid-rise building for a surface parking lot on the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare. Unfortunately our development planning and codes have not yet caught up to our relatively new-found desire for density and preservation. The San Luis won’t be saved by this new process, but let’s hope it’s the last casualty of our past planning neglect.
