Blog > Blog > 2008 > May

May 31, 2008 at 11:20 am

If you have been following this blog over the past few months, you know how important I believe the new Interstate 70 bridge connecting Missouri and Illinois in Downtown St. Louis is. As the region goes, so goes the City, and the future of Highway 70 is very important to us all. I have had my misgivings over the arrangements made in February, but on the whole I think the planned Mississippi River Bridge will be a huge step for the region. Read more

May 30, 2008 at 3:24 pm

As a follow up to their Multi-Family Window Replacement Program, the City of St. Louis recently introduced a new program called the Multi-Family Lead Remediation Program. Where the window program only compensates landlords for the replacement of up to 10 wood windows per unit ($200 for normal windows and $400 for historic windows), this program has broader implications. Rather than compensating rehabbers just for windows, the financial benefits of this program can be applied to any lead abatement work. Read more

May 29, 2008 at 12:00 am

Fox Park is one of those South St. Louis neighborhoods in the midst of a transition. Unfortunately, like surrounding neighborhoods such as Benton Park West and Tower Grove East, the current downturn in the market has stalled the progress of redevelopment in the area. But all I see when I pass through the area is the untapped potential. Read more

May 28, 2008 at 2:27 pm

Every now and then I see something implemented in a rehab project that is so simple, yet so effective, that I just wonder why more people don’t do it. About a year ago I was at a furniture store that had a series of translucent walls as the backdrop for their furniture displays. It really caught my attention and I thought it could have some interesting “real world” applications. Read more

May 27, 2008 at 4:43 pm

Just like radiators, I’ve always thought window air conditioners get an unfairly bad wrap. They are relatively cheap (usually between $100 and $300 per unit), most models are efficient if properly installed and there is no need to install expensive ductwork throughout the building. Read more

May 27, 2008 at 12:50 pm

My posting frequency has been slowed quite a bit over the past few weeks due to being really busy with work and taking on my new rehab project. You probably noticed that posting came to a complete halt over the extended holiday. Never fear, I just on vacation and I am back in St. Louis and back on my game. Read more

May 16, 2008 at 1:54 pm

When you’re standing on a deck or any man-made structure, do you ever wonder who built it and if they knew what they were doing. When looking at properties, these questions should be considered. And if you’re doing the work yourself, it’s always important to make sure that it is being done right. Failing to do so can cost a lot of money and even lives. Read more

May 14, 2008 at 4:50 pm

Just when it seemed that increased security measures at local scrap yards were having a positive effect on copper theft, spring had to hit. Over the winter, even buildings that weren’t secured properly seemed to be holding onto their copper longer than usual. In the past couple of weeks, as the temperatures have been rising, I have defintely noticed an increase in theft of copper in St. Louis City properties. Read more

May 14, 2008 at 2:41 pm

When many investors are looking for their next rental property they have a tendency to ignore a vast majority of the current inventory on the market. The trait that these properties share in common is that they are single bedroom units. Landlords tend to shy away from them for fear that they won’t be able to pull in the rents they desire. If you can relate to this standpoint, just as with avoiding duplexes, you could really be missing out on some great buys. Read more

May 7, 2008 at 3:08 pm

The tuckpointing in your brick building is starting to decay. Cracks are forming and small chunks of mortar are beginning to fall out. Sounds like you’re due to take on the “not too difficult” but time consuming task of tuckpointing. Time to head on down to the nearest Home Depot or Lowes at stock up on tuckpointing supplies and ready mix mortar. Right? If you are tuckpointng an older building like those found through most of St. Louis City and much of St. Louis County, you just made a mistake. Read more

May 6, 2008 at 12:40 pm

About a month ago I posted about a couple of microbreweries coming to the Benton Park Neighborhood of St. Louis in the coming months: Mattingly Brewing Company and the Stable. Info has been scarce on the Stable until I got a email from a reader a couple weeks back. Thanks to that contact, I had the opportunity to tour the facility this morning and chat with one of the owners. I’m happy to say that the project is coming along great and that they are on track for a June opening. Read more

May 5, 2008 at 5:18 pm

Another week goes by and it’s been more of the same: ripping stuff out. Both inside and outside, nothing but demo and breaking stuff. Thankfully, by this upcoming weekend we should finally be to the point where we have actually started to add to the building rather than just tear it apart. Demo is fun for about 10 minutes, then you realize that its bad on the back and a disaster for your lungs. It will be nice to be past that stage. Its been going well so far and I still think we are still on track for a late June completion. Read more

May 5, 2008 at 1:31 pm

The former location of the florist shop Kabloom, at the intersection of Grand and Arsenal at 3101 South Grand, is about to take on a new tenant: Emack & Bolio’s. What in the world is Emack & Bolio’s you ask? Apparently, it is a Boston-based ice cream chain. Most of their locations appear to be in Massachusetts, but they have a few others scattered throughout the country including one in Springfield, Missouri. No word on when it’s set to open. Read more

May 4, 2008 at 8:38 pm

Morganford Avenue, in the St. Louis neighborhood of Tower Grove South, has seen a lot of new business activity in recent years. The Tin Can, Stella Blues, Three Monkees, Grove Furnishings, and the Vintage Haberdashery come to mind. But as strong as the current business roster might be, things are about to get more interesting. Read more