Laclede’s Landing Community Improvement District and the St. Louis Development Corporation today announced that Lucas Ave. opened to traffic July 1, creating a new main artery access point to Laclede’s Landing. Lucas Ave. is now connected all the way from Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. to Lumiere Blvd., (3rd Street), bisecting what up until recently was a large surface parking lot. The newly constructed stretch of Lucas Ave. provides a direct connection to what could be a newly created residential row along Lucas Ave., allowing for more density in the area and attracting ancillary development in and around The Landing.
Advantes Development is developing the popular Peper Lofts in the former Bi-State Development Headquarters at 701 N. First Street, and principal Brian Minges notes the Lucas Ave. project is a factor in his decision to pursue two additional buildings on Laclede’s Landing for redevelopment. He has both the Hoffman Building (700 N. Second Street) and Greeley Building (618-624 N. Second Street) under contract for a redevelopment project that would bring additional residential units and a mix of first floor retail and office space to The Landing. A couple of concepts are being considered, and Minges hopes to be able to announce more details in the coming months.
“Brian is seeing great success with the Peper Lofts, which is The Landing’s first-ever multifamily development and is quickly filling up,” said John Clark, president of the Laclede’s Landing Community Improvement District. “With the completion of all the work on the Gateway Arch grounds and museum, and another $20 million in recent investments on The Landing and more in the works, we anticipate increasing demand for additional residential options from those who want to live in this premiere riverfront location.”
While the Lucas Avenue project represents a relatively small investment with its $350,000 budget, it is a high-impact project that will provide not only much-needed vehicular access to the south end of Laclede’s Landing, but also pedestrian sidewalks with new trees and lighting. In addition to serving existing businesses and the new developments Advantes is proposing, Lucas Avenue also runs parallel to the Katherine Ward Burg Garden that Great Rivers Greenway is developing at the southeast intersection of Lucas Ave. and First Street. Great Rivers Greenway hopes to begin construction this summer on the project, which is the first step in its long-term plan to redevelop the St. Louis Riverfront north of the Eads Bridge and Gateway Arch. Located along the Mississippi Greenway, this half-acre site – featuring stepped terraces, curving seat walls and an iconic trellis – will provide a place to enjoy views of the Mississippi River, passing trains and the Eads Bridge as part of a uniquely St. Louis experience.
“This project couldn’t have happened without the help of a lot of people and agencies,” said Otis Williams, Executive Director of the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). “Over the past four years, there have probably been more meetings on this short, 300-foot street project than any other in the City’s history. That may be a slight exaggeration, but I’d like to thank every one of the individuals involved for their part in making this happen.”
SBC Contracting, Inc., the general contractor for the City of St. Louis, was the lead contractor on the Lucas Ave. project.
To learn more about all the great experiences that can be found on Laclede’s Landing, visit lacledeslanding.com.
Laclede’s Landing is downtown St. Louis’ oldest district and only riverfront entertainment/dining destination. The nine-block area features unique restaurants, bars, and nightclubs as well as a variety of retail shops, attractions, and businesses. Just steps away from the Gateway Arch, Laclede’s Landing offers a historical experience with charming cobblestone streets and century-old buildings overlooking the mighty Mississippi River.
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For more information, contact:
Julie Hauser
(314) 436-9090
Julie@hausergrouppr.com