The Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) of St. Louis, Missouri has posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a prominent city-owned lot in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood (The Grove).
The city is seeking a 3-12 story building with zero lot line setbacks. The 37-vehicle lot is between Manchester, Chouteau Avenue and South Sarah Street.
According to the LCRA’s RFP, the site is suitable for a project that “enhances and densifies the walkable commercial corridor at the heart of the neighborhood.” Street-level space should have commercial and retail uses with offices or residences on upper floors, the RFP says.
The “Urban Design and Redevelopment Requirements” are promising and the community should be able to require good design given the popularity of The Grove. Any proposal should be “a mixed-use, main street character that enhances and densifies the walkable commercial corridor” and it’s clearly stated that proposals “should treat all three adjacent public rights-of-way, including Manchester, Sarah, and Chouteau with equal importance and equivalent sensitivity”. Regardless of the design, if held to the above standards, the form will be urban.
From the RFP: “Though no specific requirements for architectural design and building character are being placed on the Redevelopment at this time, the District and Neighborhood have become celebrated for eclectic architecture design and emphasis will be placed on proposals that seek to foster this character at the gateway to the District with contemporary, artistic design and creative building considerations.”
Submit proposal by September 2, 2016.