Luncheon provides Ballpark Village, Kiel contrast
Hundreds gathered Tuesday to hear from the leaders of two big downtown St. Louis projects — one apparently getting under way within weeks and the other still stuck in uncertainty.
Bill DeWitt III, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, told those at a Partnership for Downtown St. Louis luncheon that continuing trouble in financial markets means that bonds to raise money for the first phase of Ballpark Village might not be sold until the middle of next year.
Regardless, "behind the scenes" leasing activity for the $520 million retail, entertainment and office project next to Busch Stadium remains strong, DeWitt said.
The Cardinals and Cordish Co. of Baltimore are co-developers of Ballpark Village.
DeWitt said the project will be completed.
"We’re going to stick this out," he said during the luncheon’s discussion that was moderated by KMOV (Channel 4) news anchorwoman Vickie Newton. No questions were taken from other journalists or the audience during the luncheon affordable health insurance quote self employed.
The bonds cannot be sold until the Missouri Development Finance Board gives final approval of state subsidies for Ballpark Village. DeWitt hopes the board will approve the subsidies at its July meeting.
In contrast, bonds to help pay for David Checketts’ $74 million plan to reopen the Kiel Opera House are on the market.
Checketts, owner of SCP Worldwide and the St. Louis Blues, told the luncheon crowd he believes work on the Kiel project should begin in early August and be completed late next year.
Checketts plans to restore the Opera House for shows and musical events. He also said the Opera House would host some activities surrounding the National Hockey League’s All-Star Game, which he hopes to bring to the adjoining Scottrade Center.