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RJ York proposal for hotel gets backing of Clayton aldermen
(by Mitch Schneider - July 15, 2008)
RJ York’s proposed mixed-use project at the intersection of Central and Maryland avenues is moving forward after several hours of discussion over the course of two meetings.
At a meeting on July 8, the Clayton Board of Aldermen first approved the rezoning of two small parking lots at 111 and 119 N. Central and then a site plan for the whole project.
York has proposed the replacement of the two lots and a third adjacent lot with a six-story parking garage that would include retail space. The project would also impact the northwest corner of this same intersection by replacing an office building there with a 23-story tower containing a hotel, condominiums and retail. During the public hearings, Robert Kramer, a partner at RJ York, told the board that the firm had begun the process of applying for a franchise from Westin hotels.
At a heavily attended meeting two weeks earlier, which lasted for more than two and a half hours, Mayor Linda Goldstein and the board members in attendance decided to table the subject without taking a vote, citing their desire to further review all the information and get input from absent board member Steve Lichtenfeld.
At the second meeting on July 8, Goldstein cited the strong sentiment surrounding the project as a reason for additional public comment, though it was not required by law.
“There has certainly been a lot of conversation on this project in the last few weeks ... and it has created quite a bit of emotion among ... neighbors over multiple meetings,” Goldstein said.
At meetings going back to last year, the project has produced division among Clayton residents and the Clayton business community.
Those in favor cited the need for additional parking in the city, as well as the need for another hotel, increased tax dollars and improvement of what has been described as a dilapidated building. Those opposed have cited concerns about traffic patterns and the possible impact to the Graybar Electric headquarters, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Old Town Clayton area. The plan calls for construction of a tower that would back up to the Graybar building; the Old Town residential area is immediately north of the proposed development area.
One of those who spoke in favor of the project on July 8 was Jeff Michelman, a Clayton-based lawyer.
“When I bring out-of-town clients in, they are looking for a new place to stay,” Michelman said. “There is no more Danielle, which was a dump, and those on expense accounts cannot seem to go to the Ritz. This feels like an answer to what Clayton needs. I think the public worries about things that aren’t going to happen. We need something like this that exemplifies how great Clayton is,” he said.
One of the project’s most vocal critics has been Graybar Electric. Matthew Geekie, a deputy general counsel, has represented the firm at many of the meetings.
“As a corporate resident, Graybar wants what is best for Clayton, and what is good for Clayton is good for Graybar,” Geekie said at the hearing on June 24. He said the company supports “reasonable development,” such as the Centene, Brown Shoe and Trianon projects slated to occur elsewhere in the city, “but we oppose this development in its current configuration.” Graybar is worried that changes to traffic patterns will disadvantage the company, he said.
“In addition, in the current economic climate it may not be feasible; we urge the board to be certain of the financial viability of the project,” he said. “This project would forever change the landscape of Central and Maryland.”
Before the vote was taken, which was unanimous, the aldermen noted there are still several more steps the project must go through, including architectural review of the hotel’s design and the signing of a redevelopment agreement between the city and the developer.
As a member of the city’s plan commission and alderman for the affected area, Lichtenfeld has had the opportunity to watch the project’s progress.
“I have seen this project several times, and as I said at the first meeting [of the Plan Commission], this project is the most critical one in the entire city where the business and residential come together, and we have to come up with what is in the best interest for both the business and the residential communities,” he said. “What we have seen, based on the comments made, is a determined effort by the developer to listen [to the community]. The return on the investment of city land is important, but so are the intangibles to consider, like the vitality that we are hoping this creates. There will be safeguards built in. The Public Works and Planning departments will be watching during construction and during occupancy,” Lichtenfeld said.
“Development is challenging, especially when it is this close to a neighborhood,” said 1st Ward Alderman Judy Goodman. “It is not only appropriate but essential for the neighbors to raise questions — it makes a better project, but we cannot wait another 20 years for another project to come along.”
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