New Development to Transform Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center By Liza Farr

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) refers to the investment that takes place at and around transit infrastructure. TOD is often a catalyst for economic growth – improving access to jobs, housing and amenities, and helping promote active lifestyles and a reduced dependence on automobiles.

Big development plans are taking shape for the area surrounding the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center that will further bolster a live, work, play atmosphere in the heart of St. Louis.

Pearl Real Estate Companies has put forth a proposal that includes three separate buildings that would transform Metro Transit’s former passenger drop-off area and Park-Ride lot, as well as the retail property north of the transit center.

At its November 16 meeting, the Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners approved proceeding with the project conditioned upon the developer securing all the needed approvals, including from the City of St. Louis, surrounding neighborhoods and the Federal Transit Administration.

“As a catalyst for economic development, Metro Transit helps strengthen the community and improve the quality of life for everyone in the St. Louis region,” said John Nations, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bi-State Development. “We are excited to partner on a project that will completely transform the area around one of Metro’s most popular transit centers and bring new resources and amenities to the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood.”

The development includes 265 residential units, 33,888 square feet of ground-floor retail, streetscape and public space improvements, and up to 342 parking spaces. The Metro Transit Park-Ride lot will include a six-story building with 108 apartments, and nearly 13,000 square feet of ground floor retail. There will be streetscape and pedestrian amenities, including public art. The former passenger drop-off area will be the location of a five-story building with 51 apartments and 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail. Finally, the retail center north of the Metro Park-Ride lot will have a four-story development with 106 apartments and 16,000 square feet of ground floor retail.

“Pearl has recognized the opportunity to bring national focus to St. Louis by transforming the existing Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Station and adjacent retail center into a catalytic transit-oriented development.” – Jeff Tegethoff, principal with Pearl Real Estate Companies

“We are excited that our partners have come together to propose something that matches the values of the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood and fits our vision for the future,” said Brandon Sterling, Executive Director of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council. “This project looks to be not only fiscally viable, but also socially viable, and we are eager to see what this corner of our neighborhood can do.”

The design of this project is focused on the transit center and the multi-modal assets of this area in order to bring an attractive, vibrant development that the neighborhood, transit riders, and visitors to the area will enjoy.

Jeff Tegethoff, principal with Pearl Real Estate Companies, said the project will help foster a car-optional lifestyle.

“As a developer of ‘Irreplaceable Buildings in Irreplaceable Locations’, Pearl has recognized the opportunity to bring national focus to St. Louis by transforming the existing Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Station and adjacent retail center into a catalytic transit-oriented development,” he said. “The result will have lasting impact on St. Louis for generations.”

The developer is targeting starting work near the end of 2019 with completion by the end of 2020.

Blueprints

Project: Forest Park-DeBaliviere