Historical November–December 2007 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Six years ago, the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Housing Corporation made a bold move when we acquired the Alanson Building, 5888-98 Delmar.
The housing corporation board believed that was one of three properties that were impeding development in 58 & 59xx blocks of Delmar east of the Metro Link tracks.
The Housing Corp formed a project team (Board members Steve Kramer & Jennifer Olmstead, later joined by Sean McGroarty) that moved quickly to hire an architect (Grice Group), select a consultant (“CPDC” Community Program Development Corp) and chose a Contractor (R. G. Ross).
These were the first of the many PARTNERS that would help make the redevelopment of the Alanson Building happen. Design was completed in the next six months.
They added attorneys (Polsinelli Shalton Welte Suelthaus) and an accounting firm (Rubin Brown).
Each one of these partners worked to put the project together over the next three years. City financing through the Affordable Housing Commission was approved, but that was just the beginning. Financing the project was, to say the least, a challenge. Many routes were looked at: low income housing tax credits, Federal & State historic tax credits, bonds through the Industrial Development Authority of the City of St. Louis.
In the end, the Affordable Housing Commission and the federal and state historic tax credits were approved.
While we were working to put the Alanson project together, Delmar Properties (a subsidiary of St. Louis Design Alliance partners Dave Mastin and Jeff Mugg) bought the vacant lots in the middle of the south side of the 5800 block and did a nice commercial project; they also bought 5901 Delmar and razed the old “County Store.” John Mathews bought and redeveloped the building at 5850 Delmar.
The Housing Corp still did not have a complete financial package for the Alanson.
Then Delmar Properties (Dave Mastin & Jeff Mugg) became co-developers with the housing corporation .
They brought significant experience and financial guaranties to the project.
With their help we were able to make the redevelopment and financing feasible.
The last partners were added – National City Community Development Corp. & Enterprise Bank as equity and financing partners. Today the Alanson Building is complete!
This 3.2 million dollar historic redevelopment project has changed the Delmar landscape, adding 8 affordable residential units and four commercial spaces to the community.
The residential units are large, with two bedrooms, two baths with washer and dryer in each unit. Leasing and management are done by Charette Community Management. For information or to see one of the residential units, call them at 531-4663. Aready six of the units have been leased. Soon new businesses will be occupying the commercial spaces, leasing for this is being handled directly by our office at 6008 Kingsbury.
Call me at 862-5122. Already, we’ve leased the corner unit to Sir’s B Que and next to it, Not Just a Book Store.
With this completion, the housing corporation looks forward to many more successful projects.
Original photograph caption
Housing Corporation celebrates completion of Alanson Building. From left, Gary Boehnke, staff, board members Sean Mc Groarty, Harriet Hubbard, Richard Wilkes, Karleen Hoerr, and Alderman Frank Williamson. Other housing corporation members are Joe Keaveny, Jennifer Olmstead and Matt Peters.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2007.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source says acquisition six years ago, while November 2006 account says October 2004; original chronology conflict preserved.
Original source: SD_Times2007_11.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
