Historical February–March 2003 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
At a pre-Christmas meeting of the Commercial Committee, Carol Schmidt of Bistate Development Corp. announced that construction drawings are finally being prepared for the streetscape improvements to Delmar west of the Wabash Station to the city limits. Bistate plans to go to bid in March and begin construction in early summer. Delmar will not be completely shut down during the construction period.
There will be one lane open in either direction.
These improvements — including sidewalk enlargement, landscaping, and lighting to match that in the University City Loop portion have been long awaited.
As they take place, they will be accompanied by new office and commercial growth in the St. Louis section of the Loop. Joe Edwards, creator of Blueberry Hill, the Tivoli, and the Pageant, is providing the spark for a degree of development on Delmar that we would not have imagined just a few years ago. Beginning with the southeast corner of Skinker and Delmar, the 6172-78 building is taking on new life.
It will be used for office and shops.
The entire back wall has been replaced and there is a new foundation.
There is also an elevator and new stairwell.
The entire second floor office space will be occupied by Patrick Davis Communications. MacroSun International, an import business owned by Gil Williams, will occupy the retail space at 6172-74. Williams will have imports from India, Pakistan, and Tibet.
The expected completion date for this building is May 1.
The building formerly occupied by Olivet Baptist Church will not be torn down.
As of now, a restaurant is planned for the street level and there would be recital space upstairs. At 6154 Delmar, where the existing structure collapsed during renovation, Edwards forsees a new 2-story building.
He has begun fundraising for the Loop Theatre, which would have 3 stages.
There would also be 4 small retail shops in the front of the theatre and the box office.
These facades would all be different. Throughout these plans, every effort is being made to increase foot traffic.
This development is further in the future than some of the others. Although financial planning is still in process, there are tentative plans for the next buildings along the south side of Delmar.
The site formerly home to Delmar Cleaners, 6142-46, would provide two storefronts for an ethnic restaurant.
There could be a retail shop, perhaps for clothing. Above would be 3 small office spaces, of 800-1000 square feet. Next door at 6138-40, there would two small offices upstairs and first level retail, perhaps including a small restaurant. Next is an apartment building and then the space where the new Regional Arts Commission building is rising. Occupancy should be possible in September.
On the north side of Delmar, the 6191 building had been home to Colonial Carpet for many years.
It has considerable depth and Edwards plans an 8 lane retro bowling alley for the site.
He forsees the growth of neighborhood leagues and will administer this business himself. Edwards has also purchased the Wabash Station.
He is interested in having a restaurant here.
The wait area would look out on the MetroLink trains as they entered and left the Delmar station.
The Loop no longer ends by Eastgate.
It is part and parcel of two jurisdictions and this will become more evident in the coming year. By the way, Pollstar, the bible of the concert industry, ranks the Pageant number 6 in terms of tickets sold, ahead of Chicago’s House of Blues, which is in a far larger market. Rock on, Joe. Rock on.
Original photograph caption
Historic features of Delmar Cleaners building uncovered during Joe Edwards restoration. Photo by King Schoenfeld.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2003.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2003_02.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
