New Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC to Focus on Development of Three St. Louis Neighborhoods

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 2, 2014

Media Contact:
Sean Spencer
Executive Director
Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC
(314) 583-9436
http://www.towergrovecdc.org
sean@towergrovecdc.org

New Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC to Focus on Development of Three St. Louis Neighborhoods.

In an innovative approach to neighborhood revitalization, three South St. Louis organizations– have combined operations to form Tower Grove Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (TGNCDC). TGNCDC will focus on housing development and community improvements in the Shaw, Southwest Garden, and Tower Grove South neighborhoods, serving a combined population of 25,000 residents in nearly 12,000 households. It replaces the former Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation, Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation and Southwest Neighborhood Housing Corporation.

“The merger signifies a major strategy change with regard to community development in the City of St. Louis. For the first time, we are crossing borders and working together to leverage resources and increase service levels,” says Alderman Steve Conway. “We are extremely proud of this collaboration as well as the new CDC, and look forward to the great things it will bring to bear for our communities and residents,” adds Alderwoman Jennifer Florida.

TGNCDC will partner with stake holders to implement programs targeting crime prevention, revitalization of commercial properties/Better Block program, neighborhood beautification, energy conservation and landlord training.

Other TGNCDC initiatives will focus on real estate development of low to moderate income housing and commercial development.

TGNCDC activities will also support the resolution of nuisance property issues, reactivation of vacant or abandoned properties and the redevelopment of city-owned properties.

In addition, TGNCDC will create a Neighborhood Resource Center to provide information on real estate opportunities, tax credit, tax abatement and other incentive programs.

TGNCDC is funded partially by the HUD’s Community Block Grant Program grant as well as real estate income, tenant screening services income and private donations. Leadership and staffing of the new CDC brings more than 25 years of community development experience to work for the neighborhoods it represents.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to serve three of St. Louis’ most diverse neighborhoods, and are committed to enhancing quality of life for all our residents.,” says Sean Spencer, Executive Director. By combining the resources of three already successful community groups, the new CDC is now positioned for maximum impact. We can accomplish so much more than we would have been able to individually,” adds Tom Sweeney, President.”

The Tower Grove Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes responsible development, affordable housing, diverse character and vibrancy in the Shaw, Tower Grove South and Southwest Garden neighborhoods of St. Louis.
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Omega Real Estate completes Cleveland Arms Condo Project, Lists units for Sale Starting at $99,000!

Most long term residents know the Cleveland Arms building has been vacant for 15+ years, with work starting and stopping periodically.  WIth direction and assistance from the Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation, Rade Todorovich, from Omega Real Estate, led the effort to renovate the units with consistant, high-end finishes.  The end product is highly desireable and the starting prices for the condominums are reasonable at $99,900.  The units are about 800 sq. ft. with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath.  Each has wood flooring, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, upgraded light fixtures, upgraded cabinets, upgraded molding, tile work in the bathroons/kitchens, large windows and high ceilings.  Thanks to Alderman Conway, the building will have some limited reserved/designated street parking.

You can see interior photos and get more information at the link below:

http://www.marismatrix.com/matrix/shared/rFMPKhqhPTDd/4100ClevelandAve

If you or someone you know is in the market for a condo, please have them contact Rade at drtodor@gmail.com

The addition of the completed Cleveland Arms building and the Thurman Station (across the street) are more examples of the continued improvement of the Shaw neighborhood!

Bike Rack Installation

The Shaw Neighborhood, thanks to Alderman Conway, has new bike racks available at our local businesses. The bike racks are at the following locations:

• SNIA/SNHC Office
• SweetArt Bakery
• Mama Josephine’s
• Sasha’s
• Shaw Market (formerly Regal III)

Thanks, again, to Alderman Conway!

SNHC Releases FALL FOR SHAW House Tour Program and Insert

The 2013 Fall For Shaw House tour is one of the largest tours ever. There are 20 homes holding open houses THIS Sunday, October 6, 2013 from 12pm to 4pm. Prices range from $122,500 to $450,000. The tour starts at 4103 Shenandoah.

Please download the Fall For Shaw program Here and the insert Here

Thanks to Southern Commercial Bank http://www.southerncommercialbankstl.com for sponsoring the Fall For Shaw event. Please contact Kevin Coerver at kcoerver@SouthernCommercial.net or 314-633-6234 for any home mortgage, home equity or commercial real estate lending needs!

Fall for Shaw House Tour 2013

Fall for Shaw House Tour Oct 6th 12pm-4pm

The Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation will host its annual Fall For Shaw House Tour on October 6, 2013 from 12pm to 4pm.  Over 20 for sale homes of varying price ranges and sizes will be on display and open to the public.  The tour is free of charge to tour goers.  

The Fall For Shaw event will be promoted all day Saturday and Sunday at the Shaw Art Fair (www.shawartfair.org). Please stop by the SNHC tent at the Shaw Art Fair for a tour program (Saturday and Sunday) and during the tour on Sunday from 12pm to 4pm at our office located at 4103 Shenandoah.  

The Shaw Art Fair will be held October 5 and October 6, 2013. The festival draws 10,000 people annually and  includes art, music, food, drinks and kids activities.  The Shaw Art Fair benefits the Shaw Neighborhood and is held on the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Flora Place.

We look forward to seeing you and please contact our office at 314-773-7429 or at seanspencersnhc@att.net for all your Shaw related real estate needs.

 

4167 Flad (pictured above)

Big Changes Promise to Improve Entry to Shaw at Shaw Ave and Klemm Ave

SNHC proposed the Shaw Blvd Improvement Plan as a way to bring investment and redevelopment to Shaw Blvd.  From the northwest part of Shaw, the first entry into the interior part of the neighborhood is at Klemm and Shaw Blvd.  With help from Alderman Conway, Mike Jabbar (Building Owner) and SLDC, The Regal III (4200 Shaw) has been transformed into The Shaw Market.  Thousands of dollars were spent to improve the exterior through a matching commercial façade grant provided by the City of St. Louis.  We are working with the owner to make some final updates to the east wall which will include fresh paint and trim work.  Please see the photos below.

In addition, after 3 years of trying, SNHC has purchased 4175 Shaw.  The building was once an old filling station.  It was reported the station was a Gulf franchise.  It has been vacant for more than 10 years.  SNHC was able to secure the property at a property tax auction and we are in the process of evaluating the hazardous waste remediation and redevelopment opportunities.  It may take 18-24 months to remediate the site.

The improvements to both locations at this important intersection will continue the revitalization and stabilization the Shaw neighborhood.  

4175 Shaw:

 

 

 

Regal 3 Before and After:

 

 

October 1, 2013 Deadline for Proposals to Develop 4066 Russell Approaching Fast

4066 Russell

Thinking about opening a small business in Shaw? The Community Development Administration (CDA) is soliciting proposals to redevelop 4066 Russell. The site is 10,000 sq. ft. and the building is 2500 sq. ft. SNHC is facilitating the redevelopment by assisting CDA with finding potential developers/owners. Historic tax credits are not available for the property. Please contact SNHC (seanspencersnhc@att.net) if you or someone you know may be interested in the property. We will help them with the application process. It is estimated the building and lot will need a significant capital investment to bring it back to life. Remediation is complete and the site is ready for development. Applications are due on Oct. 1, 2013.

Shaw, Tower Grove South and Southwest Garden Neighborhood Leadership Joining Forces to Increase Resources and Enhance Resident Services.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2013

Media Contact:
Sean Spencer
Executive Director
Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation
(314) 583-9436
seanspencersnhc@att.net
http://www.shawhousing.org

Shaw, Tower Grove South and Southwest Garden Neighborhood Leadership Joining Forces to Increase Resources and Enhance Resident Services.

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation, Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation (Tower Grove South) and Southwest Neighborhood Housing Corporation (Southwest Garden) have approved a resolution to submit a joint application for HUD Funding through its Community Block Grant Program. The resolution creates the opportunity for these groups to serve a combined neighborhood population of more than 28,000 people and increases the chance of continued funding of housing development and neighborhood improvement initiatives with an emphasis on activities that support low- to moderate-income individuals.

If funded, Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation, Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation and Southwest Neighborhood Housing Corporation will review combining operations to enhance their ability to benefit the neighborhoods they’ve served for decades, expanding the variety and depth of services by pooling resources, increasing organizational efficiency and reducing expenses.

Proposed activities for 2014, funding for which will be requested via the joint grant application, will include a Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP), a Minor Home Repair Program for Seniors, Form-Based Code Planning and Shaw Boulevard Streetscape Enhancement Planning.

“HUD Funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program has decreased by over 22% in the last two years. Funding levels are expected to continue to decline in 2014,” stated Sean Spencer, executive director, Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation. “The result is a sharp increase in competition for funding, leaving smaller staffed, single neighborhood community development corporations at a disadvantage.”

According to Robert Reed, president, Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation, “HUD encourages collaboration and consolidation of organizations like ours to create larger service areas encompassing multiple wards and neighborhoods with common goals. Our resolution to submit a joint application greatly increases our chances of approval with funding at a higher level than we could have achieved individually.”

“The joint application and intent to merge signify a major strategy change with regard to community development in the City of St. Louis,” stated Alderman Steve Conway. Alderwoman Jennifer Florida, who supported the combining of resources, stated, “For the first time, we are crossing borders and working together to leverage resources and increase service levels.

“If funding is secured, we plan to continue to seek partnerships with other neighborhood organizations and service providers to further maximize our impact. This activity is only one of many ways we plan to continue providing community development service to the City of St. Louis. In addition, we plan to aggressively pursue housing development for low to moderate income individuals in our service area,” added Spencer.

Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation, Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation and Southwest Neighborhood Housing Corporation are not-for-profit organizations that promote responsible development, affordable housing, diverse character and vibrancy in the Shaw, Tower Grove South and Southwest Garden neighborhoods of St. Louis.

You can download the press release here Joint Application Press Release 7 30 13
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Retaining Walls and the Shaw Historic District

Residents often inquire about the use of retaining walls in the front yard of homes in the Shaw Historic District. If you drive around Shaw, you’ll certainly see a wide range of old and new retaining walls throughout the neighborhood. While some historic districts allow for retaining walls in the front yard, Shaw does not.

Jan Cameron, from St. Louis City Cultural Resources Office, states, “The reason retaining walls are so closely regulated by the standards is that the open terraces of the blocks in Shaw are significant character-defining elements of the historic district.” Further, She goes on to say,” The existing retaining walls in front of the building line in the district either predate the historic district or were done without approval. Unless they are recent, and we are able to cite the property owners, the walls are considered grandfathered until the owner needs or elects to change them.”

Remember if you have a question regarding any exterior home improvement (tuck pointing, new windows, front porches, etc), please contact Cultural Resources before you begin any work at (314) 657-3865 or http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/planning/cultural-resources/index.cfm

You can download the Shaw Historic District Standards for New Construction and Rehabilitation by scrolling to the bottom of our home page at http://www.shawhousing.org

Correction: MJM Renovation Restores 3938 Shaw!

In the previous post it states that MJM Renovation is renovating 3934 Shaw, their property is actually located at 3938 Shaw. 3938 Shaw will be on the market very soon!