New Missouri Valley Conf. HQ by Scottrade Center

little egyptian · PostNov 15, 2007#262007-11-15T16:06+00:00

Yeah, I was sort of wondering what it takes to get a bridge over the Metro and who would pay for it if they did. It seems the private company has to buy rights to use the space above the tracks and then the private company can build whatever they want? Is that right? There has to be some rules about this because there has to be fencing and height requirements and probably material requirements, etc.

If they could do it, though, that would certainly make the site more useful. I wonder how much traffic from Scottrade would take the pedestrian bridge if they did build one? I assume they would get a decent amount, even if there was no attraction in the MVC building itself.

I like the MVC and they have been a first rate conference under this guy Elgin's leadership. But, I just don't think we should get our hopes up too high. I don't really see much benefit for the MVC in doing anything extraordinary.

I do like the TV Studio idea, though. Give the TV Studio a (retractable) glass wall overlooking Scottrade. Combine that with a pedestrian bridge over the tracks and a medium-sized courtyard and the Blues Post-Game Show could go live from there with audience participation. I have seen several sports pre and post game shows function in that manner and seem to work well. Given the time of year when the Blues play, it might not work because of the cold weather, but it would be sort of cool to go hang out with the post-game reporters and the occasional Blues player that stopped by after the game. Instead of taking call ins, they could take live questions from the audience. Also, it would be a place to go and rant and rave after Blues losses and celebrate after Blues victories. I think that would work possibly.

But, again, we are talking more about a benefit to the Blues than to the MVC. Perhaps they could get together and work something out and the Blues could have a stake in the building too. That seems like a partnership that could work. I don't know if the Blues are looking for space, but if they were, this would be a nice opportunity.

Alex Ihnen · PostNov 15, 2007#272007-11-15T18:55+00:00

DeBaliviere wrote:
JMedwick wrote:While you are correct, the fact that Metro is seeking a tax increase and not making use of possible outside revenue streams such as selling the air rights along Clark does seem a bit odd.

Interesting - I hadn't thought of that.

I just don't think that the land is expensive enough/the location isn't desirable enough to justify building over the tracks.

Mark Groth · PostNov 15, 2007#282007-11-15T18:58+00:00

Now all we need is SLU to enter the MVC; which would be an upgrade in terms of geographic rivalries and quality of basketball.

framer · PostNov 16, 2007#292007-11-16T05:03+00:00

I wouldn't mind a pedestrian bridge, but I'd rather keep the tracks exposed here. Actually, the view from 18th Street is one of my favorites in St. Louis. Metrolink, Scottrade, the Sheraton mural, Downtown, and the Arch, all in one shot. Very cool.

jlblues · PostNov 16, 2007#302007-11-16T08:05+00:00

^Huh? No, the tracks should be buried. It adds to the dead zone around Scotttrade and makes the whole area that much more inhospitable to pedestrians. Who cares about the view from the train? Metro is transportation, not a tour trolley.

BTW, anyone have any pics of the building they tore down to put in the Metro tracks directly east of Union Station? I can't find any pics anywhere and I don't remember the name of it. I think it was, maybe, a 3 or 4 story building? Nice, long brick building as I recall; it would have made great lofts. Joe?

Edit: Below is a postcard I found from around 1915 and there were no buildings south of Clark at that time, so whatever that building was. it must have been built later. It probably had something to do with the railyards, but my vague recollection of the name of the building implies a manufacturing operation. Maybe they built railcars???

Also, what is that where Ameren is now? Looks like an awesome building... Nice rowhouses across the street, too. *sigh*

framer · PostNov 18, 2007#312007-11-18T05:10+00:00

I said the view of the train, as in standing on the 18th Street bridge looking East. I like having this kind of light-rail system, and I think showing it off in highly visible locations is a good thing. And, like I said, adding a couple of pedestrian bridges would fix the access problems.

moorlander · PostFeb 29, 2008#322008-02-29T05:30+00:00

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Missouri Valley Conference HQ

The Missouri Valley Conference moved a step closer to a new home today when the St. Louis Development Corporation approved a $200,000 forgivable loan to assist the Conference in constructing their new $10.5 million headquarters.

The new facility will be located immediately south of the Scottrade Center, on a portion of a parking lot controlled by Treasurer Larry Williams. Treasurer Williams has agreed to sell the northern portion of the lot to the Conference, so that the Conference can be located near their tournament facility. The new building will grow the Conference’s facilities from approximately 4,000 sf to approximately 27,000 sf.

The Conference began its search for a new home when it outgrew its current facility on Chouteau, and when the fact that Scottrade Center was up for sale made it impossible to renew the tournament lease. The search involved seven other locations, most of which were outside Missouri. Now that Dave Checketts and his group have purchased the facility, it has been possible for the Conference to make long-term arrangements with Scottrade, and plans for the new headquarters facility are moving forward.

The City’s Land Clearance Authority has also assisted the Conference in making application for Missouri Development Finance Board tax credits to assist in the construction of the new facility.

I am very happy that the Conference has chosen remain in St. Louis – and in a spot I can see from my office. The Conference was instrumental in attracting the Men’s Final Four Basketball Tournament and other national collegiate athletic events to St. Louis in the past. I certainly look forward with the Conference to many more great college sporting competitions in St. Louis in the years to come.

Mayors Blog

jlblues · PostFeb 29, 2008#332008-02-29T05:59+00:00

...on a portion of a parking lot controlled by Treasurer Larry Williams. Treasurer Williams has agreed to sell the northern portion of the lot to the Conference, so that the Conference can be located near their tournament facility.

My, my, Larry has quite a bit of power apparently. "Controlled", "agreed to"...makes it sound like he personally owns it.

framer · PostFeb 29, 2008#342008-02-29T06:17+00:00

This is great news. I was affraid they were going to let this one get away.

the central scrutinizer · PostFeb 29, 2008#352008-02-29T14:06+00:00

I mourn the loss of prime parking.

courtland · PostFeb 29, 2008#362008-02-29T15:16+00:00

simply the best news I've heard this month!

Expat · PostFeb 29, 2008#372008-02-29T15:50+00:00

^Yes, this is good news. And a smart decision on their part.

chesterfieldkid03 · PostMar 08, 2008#382008-03-08T15:36+00:00

A new $10.5 million downtown headquarters for the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) is one of three planned commercial projects getting a boost from excess revenue the city has available through the federal New Markets Tax Credit program.

The MVC received approval Feb. 26 for a $200,000 forgivable loan from the St. Louis Development Corp. (SLDC) for its new $10.5 million, 25,000-square-foot headquarters building planned for a vacant parking lot at 15th and Spruce streets, just south of the Scottrade Center. The intercollegiate athletic association, currently based in a 5,000-square-foot building it owns at 1818 Chouteau, has a portion of the downtown parking lot under contract from the city's Treasurer's Office for an undisclosed amount and plans to start construction this year.

"We've been planning this project for more than two years," said MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin. The MVC is currently pursuing funding for the project. "I would hope we could begin construction in late 2008 and open in late 2009 or early 2010," he said. Hastings & Chivetta is the architect; a general contractor and lender have not yet been selected.

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... tory9.html

jlblues · PostMar 08, 2008#392008-03-08T22:09+00:00

I am mystified as to why people are so excited about this.

Great, another low-rise suburban-bank-blah office building, complete with suburban parking lot, across Metrolink Gorge from Scottrade Center. Worse, this sort of puts the final nail in the coffin for any hope that someone would eventually utilize the air rights over the Gorge for a high-density, sidewalk-hugging development along Clark.

mcarril · PostMar 08, 2008#402008-03-08T22:59+00:00

I agree, this is pretty under-whelming.

jlblues · PostMar 08, 2008#412008-03-08T23:26+00:00

Actually, the whole development kind of looks like a piece of a rural or exurban high school, like say the one in Troy, MO.

I suppose it makes sense though. A nondescript small town-blah building for a nondescript small town-blah basketball conference. If they have to build that crap, I just wish they'd stick it somewhere more appropriate, like say, St. Charles or Wentzville.

little egyptian · PostMar 09, 2008#422008-03-09T00:32+00:00

jlblues wrote:Actually, the whole development kind of looks like a piece of a rural or exurban high school, like say the one in Troy, MO.

I suppose it makes sense though. A nondescript small town-blah building for a nondescript small town-blah basketball conference. If they have to build that crap, I just wish they'd stick it somewhere more appropriate, like say, St. Charles or Wentzville.

Well, that is a pretty ignorant statement, seeing as how the Missouri Valley tournament will probably bring in over 15 million dollar economic boost for the city over the past 4 days. That is as much or more of an economic impact than the Big 12 has on their cities.

Would you prefer to have no conference tournament here? Will you say that same thing about them when SLU joins?

You can criticize the building, fine - I don't like it much either, but criticizing the conference that has brought so much to Saint Louis is really ridiculous.

ecoabsence · PostMar 09, 2008#432008-03-09T00:50+00:00

From the rendering, it appears that the main entrance is off of a parking lot and doesn't even face the street! I guess they want highway visibility, like an Applebee's.

little egyptian · PostMar 09, 2008#442008-03-09T01:01+00:00

ecoabsence wrote:From the rendering, it appears that the main entrance is off of a parking lot and doesn't even face the street! I guess they want highway visibility, like an Applebee's.

What street?

jlblues · PostMar 09, 2008#452008-03-09T02:17+00:00

Little Egyptian wrote:
jlblues wrote:Actually, the whole development kind of looks like a piece of a rural or exurban high school, like say the one in Troy, MO.

I suppose it makes sense though. A nondescript small town-blah building for a nondescript small town-blah basketball conference. If they have to build that crap, I just wish they'd stick it somewhere more appropriate, like say, St. Charles or Wentzville.

Well, that is a pretty ignorant statement, seeing as how the Missouri Valley tournament will probably bring in over 15 million dollar economic boost for the city over the past 4 days. That is as much or more of an economic impact than the Big 12 has on their cities.

Would you prefer to have no conference tournament here? Will you say that same thing about them when SLU joins?

You can criticize the building, fine - I don't like it much either, but criticizing the conference that has brought so much to Saint Louis is really ridiculous.

It's great that the conference tournament is here and that they chose St. Louis for their HQ, but that isn't going to change my opinion of the conference or their P.O.S. HQ building. Why would it? I should be soooo grateful that they decided to have their tournament in the largest and most geographically-centered city, i.e. the only logical location, that I alter my opinions?

Right. It's still a nondescript, small-town blah, crappy-school basketball conference.

You're probably the kind of person that compliments your boss on his tie/her hair every morning even though you think it looks like sh*t, but that's not how I roll.

And, as I have stated in the MVC tournament thread, I think it would be total nonsense for SLU to join the MVC.

jcity · PostMar 09, 2008#462008-03-09T04:21+00:00

Great, another low-rise suburban-bank-blah office building, complete with suburban parking lot, across Metrolink Gorge from Scottrade Center. Worse, this sort of puts the final nail in the coffin for any hope that someone would eventually utilize the air rights over the Gorge for a high-density, sidewalk-hugging development along Clark.

well said. I couldn't agree more. why doesn't the city sell the air rights over this "block" in the city? A building could EASILY be built over the depressed metro tracks in this area. I'd almost rather NOT see a building like that built in downtown st. louis. sickening. aren't there any codes/review process? wow. Hello O'Fallon's new city hall.

little egyptian · PostMar 09, 2008#472008-03-09T04:55+00:00

jlblues wrote:
It's great that the conference tournament is here and that they chose St. Louis for their HQ, but that isn't going to change my opinion of the conference or their P.O.S. HQ building. Why would it? I should be soooo grateful that they decided to have their tournament in the largest and most geographically-centered city, i.e. the only logical location, that I alter my opinions? Right. It's still a nondescript, small-town blah, crappy-school basketball conference.

You're probably the kind of person that compliments your boss on his tie/her hair every morning even though you think it looks like sh*t, but that's not how I roll.

And, as I have stated in the MVC tournament thread, I think it would be total nonsense for SLU to join the MVC.

Alright #1 - I am the boss - although sometimes in the mornings I give myself a little compliment on my hair (what's left of it).

#2 - There is no reason this tournament needed to stay in Saint Louis. I agree it is the most geographically central, but KC, Omaha, Des Moines and Chicago wanted this tournament too. Would it likely go there, no, but it is not like we have a monopoly.

#3 - It is the best non-power 6 basketball conference in the country. If you think the MVC is a "nondescript, small-town blah, crappy-school basketball conference" then so is the A-10, MWC, C-USA, WAC ... and everyone else that actually are "nondescript, small-town blah, crappy-school basketball conference(s)." If you pay any attention to college basketball at all, you will realize there is a new split between single bid leagues and multi-bid leagues. The Valley is a multi-bid league - as we can see with Illinois State's win today. The Missouri Valley will get 2 bids, Drake and Illinois State. (I think there is some resentment among Missouri folks to the MVC because of Missouri State. What's the problem with having 2 recognizable public universities in Missouri ... can't share? - By the way, a name being mentioned with their coaching search is Bob Knight ... not kidding. I don't think it will happen, but legitimate folks have mentioned that possibility).

#4 - I don't particularly care for the building and I think they could have done better also, but just for reference, here is the

Big 10's conference headquarters building in a Chicago Suburb. (Click Bird's Eye - the Red Building).

The Big 12 Conference Headquarters in a Dallas Suburb (Click Birds Eye - Gray Building)

SEC Offices in Birmingham Alabama

But, I guess those are "nondescript, small-town blah, crappy-school basketball conferences" as well.

ecoabsence · PostMar 09, 2008#482008-03-09T22:15+00:00

Little Egyptian wrote:
ecoabsence wrote:From the rendering, it appears that the main entrance is off of a parking lot and doesn't even face the street! I guess they want highway visibility, like an Applebee's.

What street?

Spruce Street, on which this property fronts.

migueltejada · PostMar 09, 2008#492008-03-09T22:43+00:00

Normally, I'm the one flying off the handle here - but seriously, how can anyone make judgment calls about this? The rendering is way too small to get any sort of detail. Why not wait until you get a better rendering before you pass judgment on the design or siting.

debaliviere · PostMar 09, 2008#502008-03-09T23:14+00:00

migueltejada wrote:Why not wait until you get a better rendering before you pass judgment on the design or siting.

That's the way I feel - it's hard to tell much from that one rendering.

We are VERY lucky to have the MVC making this kind of investment in downtown St. Louis. The Valley is a great conference - very well-run - and the conference and St. Louis have been great for each other.

Now, if they would just move the women's basketball tournament from the Family Arena to the Chaifetz Arena...

New Missouri Valley Conf. HQ by Scottrade Center

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