U. City Officials To Hold Community Redevelopment Meeting Tonight

UNIVERSITY CITY, MO — University City officials will hold the first of two meetings with community groups and concerned citizens Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at the Heman Park Community Center to garner citizen input and discuss a proposed Community Benefits Agreement related to a planned taxpayer-funded development at Olive Boulevard and Interstate 170 in the city's third ward.

The meetings will be hosted by Mayor Terry Crow and Councilmembers Bwayne Smotherson and Stacy Clay.

The city says it will share information and answer questions about the project and how it will affect nearby neighborhoods and outline how residents can participate in creating a plan to revitalize the predominantly African-American ward.

"The purpose is to really hear from the community what they would like to see in terms of benefits that will be in the redevelopment agreement," Clay said at a council meeting July 9. "We're setting up a format by which it's not just folks coming up the podium, but small groups in which all voices will be heard. We'll actually really be requesting that everyone speak so there is really a shared vision that comes out of these meetings."

Some citizens have raised concerns about gentrification and the displacement of minority-owned businesses that will have to be torn down to make way for a rumored Costco and other big box stores. Proponents say the development will raise property values and revitalize the ward.

Patch will be there to cover the meeting. We'll livestream if network conditions allow, or post video later if they don't.

Another public hearing is also scheduled for August 23 at 6 p.m. at the University City High School.

Photo by J. Ryne Danielson/Patch

A map of the proposed development:

Catch up before the next public hearing by reading Patch's previous reporting below:

• Maria Chappelle-Nadal Talks U. City TIF In New Campaign Ad
• AG's Office Investigating U. City Over Sunshine Law Complaints
• U. City Will Meet With Stakeholders Ahead Of Next Public Hearing

• Olive/170 Project Raises Hopes And Fears In University City
• TIF Public Hearing Gets Heated In University City
• University City Rejects Sunshine Request For TIF Analysis
• 'Councilwoman Paulette Carr Is On The Warpath': Riverfront Times
• Post-Dispatch Editorial Board Is Opposed To U City TIF
• Watch Live: Public Hearing On Olive Development In U-City
• Watch The April 15 University City TIF Commission Meeting
• Local Government Watchdog Accuses TIF Chairman Of Conflicts Of Interest
• Citizens Call For Community Benefits Agreement Before TIF Vote
• Olive Retail Anchor To Remain Secret Until TIF Is Approved
• Sale Of McNair Building, Eminent Domain Discussed Monday Night
• Mostly White TIF Commission Weighs Fate Of Minority Community
• Councilmember Smotherson Responds To Patch TIF Commission Article
• Olive Development Meeting Scheduled For 6:30 Tonight: Watch Live
• Commentary: Redeveloping The I-170/Olive Interchange Benefits All Of U-City
• Commentary: U. City's TIF Plan: Bad for the 3rd Ward, Bad for Community

Read other coverage here:

• It’s time to dismantle TIFs as tool of segregation
• University City TIF Plans Worry Olive Boulevard's Immigrant Restaurateurs
• University City divided over TIF financed mixed-use development
• Olive/I-170 redevelopment has potential to benefit University City
• Commentary: Taxpayer largesse unnecessary, wasteful in U City development
• TIF can jump-start U. City neighborhood
• University City's bold redevelopment plans are a win for the city, residents
• University City uses TIF tool responsibly to improve neighborhood
• University City won’t get built up by tearing thriving parts of it down
• University City isn’t acting in best interests of its existing businesses
• Leave well enough alone; don’t OK big-box proposal in U. City
• University City TIF Proposal Has Residents Fighting Back
• Editorial: University City shouldn't give away $70.5 million for a big box store
• Commentary: University City development proposal mirrors failed Sunset Hills plan
• County Let University City Choose Some Appointees For Commission Weighing $70 Million Big-Box TIF
• University City using $190 million in TIF funds for redevelopment
• TIF Public Hearing Gets Heated In University City (St. Louis American Reprint)
• Developer petitioned for Community Benefits Agreement, U. City has no minority inclusion policy for public-subsidized projects
• Curious Louis: The future of St. Louis' 'unofficial' Chinatown
• University City Big Box Plan Exemplifies All That Is Wrong
• Proposed development could change the texture of University City's gritty back door
• U. City Has A Chance To Be An Innovator On TIF Development

Public documents can be found here:

• University City TIF informational web page
• School District Olive/170 Project Information