By ordinance now, the Olivette City Council has approved an “M-U Gateway” 170/Olive Boulevard Mixed Use Gateway District. That accounts for possible future development on parcels of land adjacent to Olive Street Boulevard and I-170 and Price Road on the west.
Olivette continues to dialogue with a commission from University City, proposing to make best use of the four corners of land at Olive Boulevard and I-170. The interchange at that corner was rebuilt for some $27 million dollars several years ago.
This is a high-volume high traffic area and city fathers are bound and determined to make the best use of precious un-used land in St. Louis County. Right now, the only thing that sits on this 11-acre flag lot oddly shaped tract of land is an non-descriptive OfficeMax retail store. Visionaries call for something better, some day.
Plans have come and gone. An upscale Target Store was once proposed, but plans vanished in thin air. A local developer wanted to put in a medium-scaled retail strip. Others have proposed developments like a Quick Trip or budget motels.
Again, Olivette is looking for something more substantial to yield retail dollars to a struggling economy and thus, the passage of the mixed use gateway. The council reviewed several iterations of this bill before passing this land usage bill by a vote of 5-0.
Mayor Arthur Merdinian says alls well that ends well. “This has come a long way since we started looking at this (issue) and it is in a good way,” he concluded.
Olivette gets a new Treasurer
Olivette made other news Tuesday night. Burt Wilner, the long-time city treasurer had to step down because of health reasons and was officially replaced by Lynn C. Steele, long-time resident who lives on Bon Price Terrace. Steele has an extensive resume including director of economic development for the Grace Hill Settlement House; a deputy manager for HUD in Eastern Missouri and a systems analyst for the U.S. Department of Health Education & Welfare.
Slowly, Olivette is showing signs of recovery as new business take up residence in the community. Council member Missy Waldman reported the addition of three new businesses coming to Olivette soon.
New businesses coming to Olivette
Family Dollar Store will locate in the old Walgreen’s store location on Olive Boulevard, just west of Dielman Road; Subway Restaurant will occupy the space previously occupied by Land of Smiles Restaurant across from the Olivette Shopping Center and the Shane Company Jewelry Store will open where Flotkens Market used to stand on Olive Street, also just north of the Olivette Shopping Center.
A week ago, opened in the Shoppes at Price Crossing, once the previous home to Dickey’s Barbecue.
Road Improvements Informational Meeting
Residents who live along Old Bonhomme Road in Olivette are invited to an informational meeting Wednesday, October 27, 7 p.m. at the Olivette Community Center. Representatives of the city and Volz Engineering will discuss the rebuild of Old Bonhomme Road project and gain input from the citizens.
