Here is the site plan for the QuikTrip proposed for Grand and Lafayette in the Tiffany neighborhood. A portion of McRee already blocked to thru car traffic to the west would be vacated and 3616 McRee would be demolished. Recall that the St. Louis Midtown Redevelopment Corporation Master Plan sought to
Eliminate facilities that create the image and reality of the Redevelopment Area being obsolete and blighted.
Facilitate signature development and attractive streetscape features throughout the public realm along Grand Boulevard and at key entry locations to the Redevelopment Area to create an image that reflects a successful and progressive business, commercial, and development district. Key locations include Grand Boulevard at I-64, Chouteau Avenue at 39th Street and Compton Avenue, and Grand Boulevard at I-44.
In the press release announcing the plan SLU said-
SLU’s strategic plan calls for the University to become “a leader in just land use and responsible urban design.”
This not so grand gas station fails at those goals. It’s certainly far from the “signature development” called for at this site.
A zoning-only building permit application was submitted to the city in May. The vacation of McRee would require a board bill. A CID, which would levy an extra sales tax (not applied to gas, yet another driving subsidy) at the site to pay for moving the highway on-ramp to the east, would require a board bill as well. No bills have been introduced. Demolition of 3616 McRee would be reviewed by the Cultural Resources Office and perhaps go before the Preservation Board. Any zoning variances would go before the Board of Adjustment. The board bills and the board hearings all offer opportunities for people to give comment.
Previous coverage-
NextSTL – The Winner of the What Should Be at Grand and Lafayette Design Competition is …
NextSTL – Development Planning Bait and Switch
NextSTL – Demo Alert: QuikTrip Plans To Occupy Grand From Lafayette To McRee
People walking or rolling east on McRee trying to access Grand, to perhaps use the most frequent and highest ridership bus line in the region, would end up in the parking lot. Users of the bike lane on Grand would have to contend with more dangerous conditions due to the traffic induced by this car magnet crossing the lane at McRee. There is no traffic light at McRee and Grand complicating left turns for patrons in cars exiting desiring to head north.
Plopping the Big Bend and Manchester location here was not far off.
