McBride’s plan would have required a zoning change approved by the County Council from commercial to residential. But that was unlikely to occur for at least several months, with two vacancies on the council and Councilman Mark Harder, a McBride employee, saying he would not vote on the plan.

Clancy on Monday said McBride CEO John Eilermann realized there was substantial resistance in the Affton area to developing Tower Tee, and that when a buyer emerged, “I let them know that a development that was like Tower Tee would definitely have my support.”

In a statement Monday, Eilermann said, “We committed that if a bonafide buyer came forward, we would step aside. We are happy that Steve and Mike fit that mold, and are excited to see their new plans unfold while we step away and let them pursue this endeavor.”

Residents rally

When Tower Tee’s demise was announced, nearby residents rallied to preserve the attraction and oppose the housing development.

Leading that effort was resident Michael Burton, who gathered signatures from surrounding landowners to trigger a provision in state law that would have required a supermajority of the County Council — five members instead of just four — to approve a zoning change.