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Expo at Forest Park Development Will Link New Residential and Retail Options to Public Transit in Skinker-DeBaliviere Area
Mixed-use development will include market-rate apartments and retail space
Construction is underway on a new mixed-use development in the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood, just north of Forest Park in St. Louis, Mo., bringing residential living and new retail to the area. An official groundbreaking ceremony was held for Expo at Forest Park on October 27 to kick off the $90 million project.
“Expo at Forest Park is a wonderful example of thoughtful, impactful investment that strengthens our communities and drives economic growth,” said St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson. “This development will completely transform the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood, bringing new resources, amenities and stronger transit accessibility, all within steps of Forest Park, one of our city’s most iconic destinations.”
“This project really represents a bridge to the neighborhoods and to the park,” said St. Louis Ward 28 Alderwoman Heather Navarro. “And, it’s going to advance public transportation, which I’m really excited about, because we know it’s good for our environment, good for our health, and good for our sense of community.”
Expo at Forest Park will include 287 market-rate apartments and 30,000 square feet of retail space next to the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center. The project from private developer Tegethoff Development is a transit-oriented development (TOD) and will include garage parking for Metro Transit commuters and enhanced access to the St. Louis region’s MetroBus network and MetroLink light rail system. Included in the development are plans to adaptively reuse existing transit infrastructure and real estate at the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Transit Center, including improving security, amenities and overall transit experience of Metro Transit riders.
“The Metro Transit system has an important role as an economic engine for our region, not only through our services, but also as a resource that helps attract new investment into our communities,” said Taulby Roach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bi-State Development. “We are excited to work with our partners to bring Expo at Forest Park to life, a transformative mixed-use development that will bring new opportunities for the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood and enhance our region’s transit system.”
Expo at Forest Park consists of two separate multi-family buildings. The south building is 284,500 square feet and eight stories (one below grade) of apartments (184,700 square feet) and amenity space with 5,800 square feet of retail along with a 94,000 square foot parking garage. The north building is 172,600 square feet and six stories (one below grade) of 94,000 square feet of apartments and amenity space with 24,300 square feet of retail and a 54,300 square foot parking garage.
“At Tegethoff Development, we create ‘Irreplaceable Buildings in Irreplaceable Locations.’ The opportunity to transform this intersection and the north entry to Forest Park fits perfectly into our continued commitment to bring world-class residential and mixed-use developments to St. Louis,” said Jeff Tegethoff, President of Tegethoff Development. “Developments like this do not happen without an incredible team and we are fortunate to have assembled the best for Expo at Forest Park.”
“The Expo at Forest Park is a great step in the revitalization of the City of St. Louis. St. Louis Development Corporation is extremely proud to be a part of this wonderful collaboration,” said Executive Director Otis Williams.
Brinkmann Constructors, a St. Louis-based general contractor, is handling the construction of the entire project, including updating public utilities in the surrounding area. Brinkmann, along with Trivers, Bi-State Development and Tegethoff Development, has been working closely with neighborhood associations and city officials.
“Expo at Forest Park is an example of how strong partnerships can make communities even stronger,” said Bob Brinkmann, Founder and CEO of Brinkmann Constructors. “By coming together with like-minded organizations and working hard to build vibrant, livable spaces for residents with quick and easy access to public transportation, people are provided a better place to live, work and play.”
Expo at Forest Park is located on DeBaliviere Avenue in the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood, just north of Forest Park Parkway. From the beginning of the project, the development team engaged local elected leaders, regional partners, neighborhood residents and community groups to present plans, answer questions and address concerns, and work together to ensure Expo at Forest Park matches the neighborhood’s vision.
“This project exactly exemplifies what community collaboration looks like,” said St. Louis Ward 26 Alderwoman Shameem Clark-Hubbard. “Inclusion is so important to me.”
“The Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council is excited about the Expo at Forest Park project,” said Executive Director Michael Reid. “We look forward to its completion and what it will bring to the community.”
The new development is by the north entrance to Forest Park near the Missouri History Museum.
“We are excited about how this transit-oriented project will improve Metro riders’ access to Forest Park and other great neighborhood destinations,” said Lesley S. Hoffarth, President and Executive Director of Forest Park Forever, the nonprofit conservancy that partners with the City of St. Louis to care for the 1,300-acre park nearby.
Expo at Forest Park is expected to be complete in 2022.