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St. Louis Front Page presents St. Louis CitySide, an overview of the City Government of Saint Louis. From time to time, we will take an indepth look at many of the projects in which the city is involved and how these projects will affect residents and visitors.
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View of children's playground and tennis courts which would be replaced under BJC HealthCare's Forest Park lease proposal for 9.4 acres with annual payments of $2 million to the City of St. Louis.
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BJC Proposes New Deal for Forest Park Area
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 21, 2007 - In 2006, BJC HealthCare made a request to the City of St. Louis to extend and expand their existing lease on an area of Forest Park across Kingshighway, bordered by I-64 on the south, Euclid Avenue on the east, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital on the north.
The proposal was to increase their area from 9 acres to 12 acres. This area contains the air handling equipment that supports the Barnes-Jewish Hospital underground parking structure, tennis and racquetball courts and a children's playground.
The proposal was the beginning of a process of planning for the replacement of older hospital buildings on the Barnes-Jewish campus. BJC also proposed increasing lease payments on the land in question from $150,000 to $1.7 million annually.
The proposal was met with considerable controversy by local newspaper reports and St. Louis citizens who did not want any additional land in Forest Park leased by BJC or any other corporation.
On Friday, January 19, St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay announced a proposed new deal and that several bills would be introduced in the Board of Aldermen this week to extend the lease of land east of Kingshighway that is currently utilized by BJC as a parking garage.
The Mayor said he would support the new proposed deal among the City, BJC, and Forest Park Forever for the following:
- The size of the land covered by the lease has been reduced to 9.4 acres. In addition, BJC has agreed to set aside no less than 15 percent of the land for green space, effectively reducing the developable space by another 1.4 acres.
- Even though the amount of acreage is smaller, BJC has agreed to raise its lease payments to $2 million per year. All of that money will be put into a trust. It can only be invested to maintain Forest Park.
- One-and-a-half acres of land south of Clayton Road will be protected. A new park will be created with playground equipment and tennis courts. The new park will be more convenient for families in Forest Park Southeast. BJC will light the park, and provide security and maintenance.
- Some of the tennis courts at Triple A will be improved and made available to the general public at no cost. The handball courts behind the visitor's center will also be expanded and improved.
- In all, BJC has agreed to set aside $1 million to pay for the changes and improvements.
- Forest Park Forever has agreed to match at least $1.8 million per year. Combined with the $2 million from the BJC lease, that means at least $3.8 million per year in dedicated revenue will be available to maintain Forest Park.
- In addition, $1.6 million in General Revenue will be freed up. That money will be set aside to help maintain the City's other 104 parks. In the first year, that money will be invested within a mile-and-a-half of the Hudlin location to create new green space or recreational opportunities.
The Mayor stated, "This proposal is good for Forest Park. But, it is also good for the City's economy. BJC employs 15,000 people in the City of St. Louis, making it our largest employer. This lease ensures that it can continue to grow and fulfill its mission in our City."
The Mayor noted that this deal already has the support of the Forest Park Advisory Board and Forest Park Forever. "I hope it gets the support of the Board of Aldermen," said Mayor Slay.
In a statement, John Farrell, spokesman for Comptroller Darlene Green, said, "The comptroller believes people on both sides of this issue have
strong points. On one side are the citizens and taxpayers who want to
protect their parks and have a say in plans to develop park land. On
the other side is the city's largest medical facility that serves
thousands of disadvantaged residents each year and is an economic engine
for the community.
"The comptroller intends to move forward in an effort to bridge the
gap on these two very valid viewpoints and hopefully reach a compromise
solution. She is working now to hold meetings beginning next week with
both sides that focus on common ground and building consensus instead of
rehashing differences. This issue is too important to our community on
a number of levels for us to settle for anything less than a mutual
agreement.
"The comptroller is reserving comment on the new lease plan revealed
today until after these meetings and, hopefully, a compromise is
reached," said Farrell.
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