U. City's TIF Plan: Bad for the 3rd Ward, Bad for Community

(Editors note: If you would like to submit an op-ed on the proposed Olive development, either for or against, Patch would be happy to run it. Submit pitches to ryne.danielson@patch.com. Read Patch's latest coverage of the issue here.)

I grew up in the 3rd Ward of University City between Olive, Midland, and Hanley. I went to Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School, McNair 6th Grade Center, Brittany Woods Middle School, and University City High School. I currently rent in the 3rd Ward on Braddock Drive, and I am in complete opposition to the proposed Novus TIF development plan.

The TIF plan to open a big box store, along with more retail and office space and a hotel, will destroy the unique international community of the 3rd Ward – with no guaranteed benefits. Novus claims to have the best interests of University City at the core of their development plan; yet destroying local businesses and neighborhoods, and then putting in a big box store, is the complete opposite of supporting a local community.

I took a trip over Memorial Day weekend to view Novus’ other developments, including the Market at McKnight (which Novus touts as a model development), and there is nothing local about these developments. All of the developments are simply urban sprawl strip malls filled with the familiar chain retailers. I and others opposing the plan at the April 23rd meeting asked one another why Novus can’t develop the area differently. Why not develop it more like the Delmar Loop or South Grand? The answer is that Novus has one business development model only: urban sprawl. I lived among urban sprawl for three years after moving into my boyfriend’s apartment in Ballwin, and I moved back to University City specifically to get away from it. There is no sense of community, no pedestrian friendly areas, the traffic is horrible – it is altogether unpleasant and gentrified.

Big box stores do not promote local business growth or strengthen communities. All you have to do is begin driving west to witness that urban sprawl begets only urban sprawl.

I was in Simba Ugandan Restaurant recently, and while I was waiting for food, the restaurant filled up with eager customers. I even chatted with a man who had come from outside of University City – and Simba had been recommended to him by friends also living outside of University City. Every time I eat at Pho Long, the restaurant is full. And All Star tattoos is a very popular and respected tattoo parlor. Clearly, this area of the 3rd ward is making profits, and has value to many people inside and outside of University City. So why tear it down and put in a big box store? There are vacant lots all over the 3rd ward, and two businesses – a brewery and a dog cafe – showed interest in two empty lots; unfortunately, the projeccts fell through. Why not focus first on developing areas of the 3rd Ward which are currently vacant fields of grass, for which businesses have indeed showed interest? A brewery and a dog café would have actually been ideal, given the rising popularity of local breweries, particularly among millennials – and, of course, given people’s obsession with their dogs (myself included). These developments would have added to the business community and University City’s reputation as a unique community, while also preserving it.

I have heard claims that the development will increase property values, but it is people’s perception of school districts that are the main driver of property values. I am not sure how a big box store will change people’s perspective of University City schools. I am also weary of the argument that this development will bring in new families who will send their kids to the school district. We all know that many people who move to University City because they love the community aren’t in as much love with the school district, and thus send their kids to private schools. So, again, not sure how a big box development and the resultant urban sprawl will get people to send their kids to the school district. Besides, considering the increase in noise, air, and light pollution that accompanies the types of developments Novus creates, do we really believe a big box store will have ANY positive impact on property values?

The truth is the western part of Olive Blvd in University City is already developed, but it is not viewed as the “right” kind of development. So, instead of actually being innovative and improving upon and adding to the successful local businesses that are in the 3rd Ward, University City leaders are simply going to destroy successful businesses that already exist and replace them with a complex of urban sprawl.

Photo: Jeffrey Plaza in University City, the site of several businesses to be displaced by Novus' proposed development. (J. Ryne Danielson/Patch)