UNIVERSITY CITY (KMOX) -- Novus Development's $190 million plan to remake the corner of Olive and I-170 is still hotly debated, even as council members close in on final approvals. The plan would bulldoze homes, apartments, several businesses, two churches and a school for a Costco club store, hotel, theatre and other uses.
Related: University City admits math error in Olive/I-170 development There are some international businesses in the development's path, although the bulk of what's considered the region's "Chinatown" is just to the east on Olive Blvd. Mayor Terry Crow prefaced the conversation at Tuesday's meeting: "Please know that tonight is not a vote on the development itself. Tonight is actually going to be simply reading in the amendments." A final vote could be scheduled for June 10.
This new agreement was put together after a resident noticed a multi-million dollar mistake in the original version's cost-benefit analysis.
DEBATE CONTINUES City officials repeatedly promised they wouldn't use eminent domain to forcibly take any owner-occupied homes for this. But at Tuesday's meeting, Jan Adams pointed out language in the new agreement which says the City Council can make an exception to that, and which would give Novus control over any condemnation proceedings. She also says the agreement gives the developer a way to dump promises for a hotel, theater, and senior living facility and replace it with other commercial activity. "This council may vote in two weeks to set up a system that is ripe for corruption," Adams said. Yvette Liebesman is in favor of the project. She says the $14-an hour jobs a Costco would bring should outweigh other considerations. "I have to wonder about the people who are speaking against this project... about why they hate their neighbors so much," she said. "Don't you want your neighbors to have nearby, living wage jobs and benefits?" Patricia McQueen says it's just time to get this done. "For me, the redevelopment plan is not just about bringing a Costco store closer to me for shopping, it's about a redevelopment plan that will bring jobs and seed money to revitalize the housing stock in the third ward that has long been neglected."
