That was the only pitch the alderman, et al would need to comply and usher in the portfolio of public incentives. But think about their position, what politician can buck the Cardinals from a career/campaign perspective? Tough place to be. We don't have a critical culture in our city offices just yet. They all got in line and subsidized the construction of this particular project, while others are on their own.

From an October, 2017 St. Louis Post-Dispatch report, the public money given to these private companies is staggering:

"Secured by decades of future taxes from Cardinals fans, investors clamored last week for the bonds that would help to finally put the “village” in Ballpark Village.

About $105 million in St. Louis Industrial Development Authority bonds had been expected to be issued publicly, part of a financing package a year in the making for the entertainment venue next to Busch Stadium.

The public’s contribution to the project is significant. If Cordish and the Cardinals hit development targets outlined in their agreement with the city, nearly $72.7 million from bond proceeds backed by tax dollars could go to the $261 million second phase, almost 30 percent of the costs.

That’s up from the $65 million figure cited last year during debate to amend the city’s development agreement with the Cardinals and Cordish, when the project was projected to cost only $220 million." Jacob Barker - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ouch. But, here we sit still rooting for the Cards/Cordish to do the right thing and help make this part of downtown activated all year...with people who live here and work 9-5 professional jobs right here.

I want this development to succeed in a more meaningful way than just the food court/mall entertainment and massive surface parking lots completed so far. Who doesn't? What we need is something a bit more for the people of St. Louis vs. for the visitor/tourist. Residents and living wage jobs could provide that medicine.

The Cards/Cordish have rolled out the latest version of Phase-2 development which is finally reported to help flesh out the mixed-use promise of years ago. Per the St. Louis Cardinals, this latest version includes a hotel, residential tower and office space:

"The St. Louis Cardinals announced plans for a $260 million, 550,000 square foot second phase of Ballpark Village which will include the construction of a 29-story luxury high-rise residential tower, the first new Class-A office building built in downtown St. Louis in nearly thirty years, and additional retail, restaurant and entertainment space."

"Loews Hotels & Co, announced plans to build its first ever St. Louis hotel. The hotel will debut as Live! by Loews - St. Louis, MO, a partnership between Loews Hotels & Co., The Cordish Companies and the St. Louis Cardinals."

The following renderings are the most up-to-date from Cordish.com: