Maria Chappelle-Nadal Talks U. City TIF In New Campaign Ad

UNIVERSITY CITY, MO — Term-limited state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, who is currently running for a state house seat in Missouri's 86th district, highlights a proposed University City development at Olive Boulevard and Interstate 170 in her latest campaign ad. (Patch has covered the issue extensively: see the latest here.) Chappelle-Nadal says she believes that the public should have a vote before any development plans that impact housing or businesses go forward.

"I'm a huge supporter of infrastructure," the candidate says in the video posted to YouTube this week. "It's on all my literature. I've supported it in the legislature. The one thing I'm concerned about are people who are forced out of their homes or businesses."

University City officials have pledged not to use eminent domain — the government's power to take private property — against homeowners. But renters and business owners have been promised no such restraint.

"As I have been going door to door, reaching out to all of our neighbors, there's one narrative that I often hear, and that is of families who are living on a fixed incomes," Chappelle-Nadal continues. "When we are thinking about any type of infrastructure or economic development, we need to make sure that families and businesses are protected. Any time there is a heavy tax burden on our citizens, it causes a problem for those who are on fixed incomes."

The development is expected to cost taxpayers more than $70 million, mostly in the form of sales taxes. Property taxes could also rise if the rumored Costco and other big box stores increase the value of nearby homes, as the city hopes they will.

Many supporters of the development — including third ward Councilman Stacy Clay — argue that rising home prices are a good thing. Others aren't convinced.

Chappelle-Nadal highlights this story from Patch, which says St. Louis County is already one of the priciest places to live in the state. The Economic Policy Institute, a liberal think tank, estimates a family of two adults and two children in St. Louis County would need to earn a combined $79,283 per year — or $6,607 a month — to live comfortably. The county's median income is more than $17,000 less than that, just $61,516, according to U.S. Census data.

Many critics argue that the longterm impact of the Olive/170 development would be gentrification that prices many residents out of their own communities, though the city has promised that won't be the case.

"Whenever we are considering a policy that is going to financially impact the community, we must put our residents first," Chappelle-Nadal says.

Chappelle-Nadal is facing candidates Bobby Shields, Farrakhan Shegog and Gloria Nickerson in the Democratic primary on August 7. (That's next Tuesday.)

For more information on this and other races, visit vote411.org.

Photo: State Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal speaks at a public hearing in University City in June (J. Ryne Danielson/Patch)