St. Louis, May 27, 2011 -Jamestown Mall could become a revitalized hub of activity that attracts residents throughout North County. That's the vision mapped out by St. Louis County leaders on Thursday night at a meeting to discuss the final plans for the Jamestown area.
The Jamestown Mall Area Plan is the result of nearly two years of planning, studying and public commentary. The roadmap and redevelopment of the Jamestown Mall area is centered on one main idea - transforming the single-use, large footprint mall into a mixed-use village center that can easily adapt to economic conditions.
Long believed to be the heart of the community, Jamestown Mall has seen serious decline, mirroring that of big box retailers nationwide. Suffering a burdened national recession, changing consumer preferences and an overpopulation of regional shopping options, today's Jamestown Mall is unreflective of its 1973 grandeur.
"We want to give North County a place that residents can be proud of again," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "The beauty of this plan is that it capitalizes on the virtues of North County and is flexible to meet the community's needs. Based on two years of research, this is what the residents of North County have told us they want and what studies show is possible."
"This is, without a doubt, one of my most challenging and rewarding redevelopment projects - ever," said Victor Dover, principal of Dover, Kohl & Partners, "residents kept telling me this used to be the heart of the community. I think this plan reclaims that place. Jamestown can be a redesigned village with affordable senior housing, community centers and small businesses, all combined with natural elements such as parks and walking trails. This can once again be the heart of North St. Louis County."
The first step is for the St. Louis County Council to adopt the plan. Project managers will then begin reaching out to the five distinct property owners who control the various parcels that constitute the Jamestown site.
The process began in September 2009 when St. Louis County commissioned the Urban Land Institute to identify the issues contributing to the decline of retail and provide realistic recommendations for the site. In July 2010, Dover, Kohl & Partners, an urban design firm specializing in master plans, began the design phase, engaging the public in a number of open design sessions.
About St. Louis County Economic Council Founded in 1984, St. Louis County Economic Council serves as the county's economic development agency, driving growth and prosperity in the most economically important county in Missouri. As the only economic development agency in the state to hold the esteemed Accredited Economic Development Organization from the International Economic Development Council, it provides a broad range of services through its six divisions: business development, business finance, economic development collaborative, real estate and community development, St. Louis Enterprise Centers, and World Trade Center Saint Louis. |
