Proposed site of Ballpark Village next to the new Busch Stadium would have included approximately 700,000 square feet of office space with street-level retail space and and 1,450 parking spaces with the construction of Centene Headquarters.
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Centene Pullouts From Ballpark Village
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), March 23, 2008 - Centene Corporation has announced that they will not be constructing its new corporate headquarters in downtown St. Louis as part of the Ballpark Village development planned next to Busch Stadium.
Last September, the multi-line healthcare enterprise, based in Clayton, Missouri, reached an agreement in principle that would allow construction to begin on the approximately $250 million complex in the spring of 2008. See archived story: Ballpark Village Announces Centene Corporation As First Major Tenant.
In a formal statement, Comptroller Darlene Green said, "Now that Centene has officially pulled out of Ballpark Village, the Cardinals and city leaders need to focus on removing the unsightly hole in the middle of our downtown and
preparing for the 2009 All-Star Game."
"The 2009 All-Star Game and related events are quickly
approaching, along with the inevitable worldwide media exposure. We
cannot afford to have primetime television broadcasts featuring a
downtown St. Louis with a six block muddy hole broadcast all over the
world. The Cardinals and the city owe the taxpayers and fans
something much better."
"Work needs to start now on a plan to put St. Louis' best foot
forward during All-Star week. The Ballpark Village site needs to be an
exciting place. Even if it is paved over to create a celebratory venue for
the thousands of baseball fans descending on our city, it will show a
downtown central business district that is vibrant instead of stagnant," said Darlene Green.
The St. Louis Cardinals and The Cordish Company also issued a statement saying that Centene would have been a great addition to Ballpark Village. "We are disappointed that the parties could not come to an agreement, despite months of effort and the best intentions of the City, Centene, and the Ballpark Village team. Ultimately, the many complexities of Centene's proposed project in Ballpark Village proved insurmountable."
"We will now work immediately with the City and State to finalize all public approvals and commence construction of Ballpark Village. The Ballpark Village partnership is in the unique position of having its private financing in place, and we are ready, willing, and able to proceed. Our vision has not changed --Ballpark Village will be a world-class mixed-use project that will positively transform the City of St. Louis." See archived story: Proposed Ballpark Village Development Could Transform St. Louis Downtown Into the Center of Universe.
Missouri Families Face Massive Clean Up After Floods
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), March 23, 2008 - The Meramec River at the Valley Park gage crested Saturday morning at 37.8 feet, below the earlier forecasted crest of 40 feet. The new $49 million Valley Park Levee, built to withstand a 100 year flood event, successfully weathered its first major flood event.
As the flood waters recede along the Meramec and Big Rivers and property owners are inspecting the damage to structures on their property, the St. Louis County Emergency Operations Center is recommending citizens take some precautionary steps to ensure everyone's safety.
Electrical safety is very important in floods.
Be sure utilities are turned off before entering the building for the first time. Disconnect the main switch and all currents. If the main switch is in the basement, be sure all flood water is pumped out before working on electrical systems. Also turn off any outside gas lines at the tank or meter and let the building air out for several minutes to remove gas fumes.
Eureka area emergency response agencies (Eureka Fire Protection District, Eureka Police Department, Eureka Office of Emergency Management and Des Peres Hospital)
want to make sure that area residents have up to date tetanus shots. Anyone working in and around flood waters should have up to date tetanus shots.
To be up to date, shots should have been obtained within the past 10 years. Anyone not having a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, unsure when they last had a tetanus shot, or who have never had a tetanus shot should get one.
The agencies will be providing free tetanus shots to flood victims Monday, March 24, 2008, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Eureka Fire Protection District House 1, 4849 Highway 109, Eureka, Missouri 63025.
In a continued effort to assist area residents effected by recent flooding, Eureka area responders are working to provide information on resources available to assist in recovery efforts.
Flood victims living in the portions of Eureka Fire Protection District in Jefferson County may obtain Red Cross Clean-up kits at Northwest High School.
Eureka area flood victims may also obtain Salvation Clean-up kits at Eureka Fire Protection District House 1 at 4849 Highway 109, Eureka, Missouri.
Red Cross Disaster assistance number for all is 314-516-2700.
Flood victims may also contact the United Ways 211 number for information on available recovery resources.
The Saint Louis County Department of Health will be offering free well water testing for private wells to Saint Louis County residents who live in areas of the county affected by recent flooding.
"Public health is often threatened by natural disasters and this is no exception," said Dr. Dolores J. Gunn, Director of the Health Department. "One of the dangers residents may face following the flood is contaminated well water. We want to do our part to make it as easy as possible for residents to ensure that the water they and their families use is safe."
Missourians Should Watch for Scams After Floods
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), March 23, 2008 - Attorney General Jay Nixon is warning Missourians dealing with high water in flooded areas to watch out for con artists.
In a statement, Nixon said with any storm that leads to damage, evacuations or power outages, crooks will not be far behind. Known as storm chasers, these thieves target hard-hit areas claiming to offer home-repair services. He says storm chasers often go door-to-door, offering quick services for consumers who may be in urgent need of repairs and supplies, whether it's a new roof, windows, carpet cleaning or other services.
"This flood of water may very well be followed by a flood of con artists," Nixon said. "Consumers need to know there are people out there who want to take advantage of their misfortune by promising services, collecting money and not following through on the job."
Nixon also wants consumers to report price gouging on necessary supplies like water, ice, plywood, gas and generators. "Any time a business raises prices simply to profit from a natural disaster, that's price gouging, and it's illegal in Missouri," Nixon said.
When hiring contractors, Nixon said consumers should be suspicious of anyone who:
- Offers services door-to-door;
- Drives an unmarked vehicle or has out-of-state plates;
- Demands full payment in advance;
- Has no address, just a phone or P.O. Box;
- Uses a high-pressure sales technique; or
- Has no I.D.
Nixon says consumers should follow these suggestions when hiring a home-repair company:
- Hire known or recommended companies. Check for complaints against a company with the Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General's Web site and Consumer Complaint Hotline (number below);
- Get at least two estimates.
- Get all agreements in writing, including description of the job, completion dates and price; and
- Make full payment only when the terms of the contract are met.
If a home repair contractor doesn't offer a written agreement, the Attorney General encourages consumers to write their own agreement. Nixon's Web site offers a worksheet with guidelines for drawing up a home improvement contract. Consumers can report fraud and price gouging by filing a complaint online with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at ago.mo.gov or by calling 1-800-392-8222.
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