St. Louis Housing Authority Central Office Building*
St. Louis, MO
The St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA) Central Office Building, located in the Midtown area of St. Louis at the north end of the Grand Center Arts District, is the capstone to the Blumeyer HOPE VI Revitalization Plan that redeveloped much of the adjacent Arthur A. Blumeyer public housing site into Renaissance Place at Grand. The 37,197 square foot headquarters for SLHA also includes a full-service PNC bank branch and a neighborhood café.
Developed by Midtown Community Commercial Development, a limited partnership between an affiliate of McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS), and the Blumeyer Village Tenants Association (BVTA), and partially funded with New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) equity raised by MBS Urban Initiatives Community Development Entity, the completed building is owned and operated by the SLHA Central Office Corporation.
The building and grounds were designed to improve human health and productivity, lower cost building operations through reduced energy use, and provide a vibrant, welcoming environment for staff, clients and partners alike. It includes high ceilings, an open floorplan, and abundant natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights, outdoor seating in a landscaped rear courtyard, secure gated parking lot for all employees and free visitor parking and extensive green features like a reflective roofing system, 100 kW photovoltaic system, and waterless and water-saving restroom fixtures.
The $8.9 million development was financed with SLHA capital funds, program income, and land sales proceeds; tax credit equity from US Bancorp Community Development Corporation; and a forgivable loan from the Greater St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone to SLHA.
Today, the transformed community is environmentally-sustainable community featuring 213kw of solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system that provides irrigation and was the first community in Missouri certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) program. Amenities include an on-site community activities building, community gathering space, a computer lab, private pool and fitness center. Urban Strategies raised money to develop a pavilion and walking path at a neighboring park, encouraging more active, outdoor lifestyles for residents.
The Community Support Services Program,managed by Urban Strategies, helps residents achieve their goals for self-sufficiency and personal development. This includes linking with educational services, career placement and enhancement support, child care services, health services, and programs for youth including employment, tutoring, and other educational activities. A Resident Liaison, funded by the operations of the new Renaissance Place at Grand developments, continues to work in the community as a member of Urban Strategies’ staff.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Quick Facts
Project Goal: Create new, energy efficient headquarters for the Saint Louis Housing Authority
Total Development Costs: $ 8,954,000
Square Footage: 37,197 sq. ft.
Developer: McCormack Baron Salazar & Blumeyer Village Tenants Association
Tax Credit Investor: U.S. Bancorp CDC
NMTC Allocation: $8,954,000
Key Project Financing: St Louis Housing Authority, Greater St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone, US Bancorp CDC, MBS Urban Initiatives CDE
Construction Jobs: 111
Permanent Jobs: 71
Investment date: August 2008
Opening date: August 2009