Lindell Avenue AAA In Need of Roadside Assistance, to be Demolished for CVS

UPDATE 4:03PM : That was quick. Not only have local news sources from Fox2now to The Beacon and STL Business Journal picked up on this story (call it the Del Taco effect, perhaps), but City of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay has weighed in for the second time in two weeks regarding a sought-after demolition of a distinctive building in his city. On his blog Mayor Slay wrote, in part: "Later today, the Planning Commission will consider a proposal to construct a new business – a chain pharmacy – on Lindell... I believe that the loss of any distinctive element of our built environment must be justified by a new good at least its equal. It is not my current impression that the amenity of a new chain drug store within blocks of a couple of existing ones or the very ordinary design of the proposed building is such a good. I will, therefore, ask my office’s representative on the Planning Commission to cast a vote against the project today." We'll have to wait and see if the Mayor's word carries any weight in this process.
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The circular AAA building at 3917 Lindell Boulevard will be demolished for a CVS Pharmacy. At least that's the intention of CVS as the demolition request appears on this month's agenda of the City of St. Louis Planning Commission. Before you plot and scheme to wage a battle to save this jewel of Mid-Century Modern architecture, don't. If CVS wants it, they'll have it. Why? The building holds no official historic status and is located in the 18th Ward of the city, a ward represented by Terry Kennedy, that has opted out of mandatory demolition review. Two blocks east and it's in the 19th Ward and must be reviewed. Were it located on the south and not the north side of Lindell it would be in the 17th Ward and would therefore be subject to review. See the issue here?