Challenges
Encompassing portions of three municipalities in northern St. Louis County, the 550-acre NorthPark redevelopment is a result of the partnership of two major developers, St. Louis City and County, and the State of Missouri. Historically residential, the project site was sprinkled with light industrial and commercial sites. Many of the residences and businesses had been removed or were scheduled for demolition due to the City of St. Louis’ airport noise abatement buy-out.
Areas of Concern included the following sites:
- Numerous regulated UST issues, including former filling stations
- Auto repair businesses and auto body/salvage sites
- A former dry cleaning site
- A former nursery facility
- A concrete plant
- Areas of illegal dumping
Solutions
EOI generated a successful $15 million application for Missouri Department of Economic Development Brownfield Redevelopment tax credits, to cover the majority of the project’s environmental costs. EOI developed remedial options within the guidelines of the state’s voluntary cleanup program and new risk-based corrective action regulations, using institutional controls, engineered barriers, and engineered cells, as well as traditional excavation, removal, and disposal.
Results
Site remediation commenced in Fall 2006. Placement of infrastructure is underway, and construction of the first building is planned for Fall 2007.
The redevelopment of this formerly blighted and underutilized site will consist of more than 5 million square feet of office, retail, and light industrial space ideally suited to companies wishing to expand their Midwest operations. NorthPark will feature easy access to major transportation paths and top regional educational and research facilities.
Boosting the St. Louis region’s job growth and revenues, this project and its unique partnership have created a paradigm for future development.