Building Blocks

Masonry group completes headquarters project

Tim Bryant — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:05:02 +0000

The housing slump turned into an opportunity for the St. Louis Mason Contractors Association, which recently completed a $2.1 million renovation and expansion of its headquarters on Big Bend Boulevard in Richmond Heights.

Richard Frisch Jr., the group’s president and owner…

Park Pacific project downtown to resume

Tim Bryant — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:01:31 +0000

Work is set to resume on the Park Pacific project downtown now that the developer, Lawrence Group, has gotten a commitment on a $56 million federally insured loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Lawrence Group says HUD…

An evening with Planet Money

Tim Logan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:09:52 +0000

I got a chance Thursday night to go to the Planet Money roadshow, which was in town at the Grandel Theater courtesy of St. Louis Public Radio (fka KWMU).

If you’re not familiar, Planet Money is a project of National Public Radio,…

Two non-profits get an award–and money–from bank

Tim Bryant — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:56:44 +0000

Grace Hill Settlement House and Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center are getting an award–and the money that goes with it–this evening from Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative.

Both have been named 2009 St. Louis Neighborhood Builders through the bank’s Neighborhood…

NorthSide opponents planning referendum drive

Tim Logan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:30:39 +0000

A slew of community groups that oppose Paul McKee’s NorthSide redevelopment proposal say they hope to take the matter to the voters.

Citizens for a More Responsible St. Louis Government and several other groups plan to launch a petition drive Thursday…

Mortgage delinquency hits record high in U.S., 4.5% in St. Louis

Tim Logan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:40:07 +0000

One in every 22 mortgages in the St. Louis metro area was at least 60 days past due in the third quarter, according to TransUnion; 4.5 percent. That’s more than twice the figure here two years ago, though it’s considerably…

Update: Slay signs NorthSide redevelopment bills

Tim Logan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:20:26 +0000

Update: 3:19 p.m.

Just back from the signing ceremony. It went as expected, despite the rain.

About 50 politicians, business leaders and neighborhood residents huddled under a tent on the grounds of the Clemens House. Mayor Francis Slay signed redevelopment agreements that…

Renaissance Grand looking for more help

Tim Bryant — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:09:05 +0000

Word comes today that St. Louis officials are supporting a request of bondholders of the Renaissance Grand & Suites Hotels to help out in a plan to raise some money for the financially struggling convention hotel downtown.

A report of a…

Landlord agrees to remove lead-paint hazard in city properties

Tim Bryant — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:38:33 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency says JAX Limited Co., a property manager based in Manchester, will pay a $4,527 civil penalty and do $108,325 worth of lead paint removal work to settle claims it failed to inform residents and homeowners of…

Express Scripts picks NorthPark for new plant

Tim Bryant — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:54:34 +0000

Express Scripts said this afternoon that its new drug distribution plant will be situated at the NorthPark business park, which is across Interstate 70 from company headquarters.

The project comes with new jobs. Express Scripts says the plant will handle up…