Report: Delmar Gardens Proposal Coming Before City Planners Next Month

Almost a year after a report surfaced that Delmar Gardens was ready to move forward with an $80 million "dream project", a multi-use development proposal for land near Interstate 270 and Ladue Road in, the St. Louis Business Journal is reporting that the company "expects to seek zoning approval in early April."

The project was brought up for discussion at Monday's Creve Coeur City Council meeting. City Administrator Mark Perkins said the city staff has "not heard from them (Delmar Gardens) in some time."

A report in March 2011 indicated hopes of submitting a master plan to the city before May to complete the failed Levinson residential project.

Delmar Gardens' interest in expanding in Creve Coeur has rankled some residents in the area for years, a sentiment repeated again Monday. "We're all a little bit leery about what's coming," said Christine McCollom.

Ward 3 Councilwoman Charlotte D'Alfonso, who's district includes the property in question and who was a vocal opponent as a citizen when another Delmar Gardens proposal emerged in 2009, asked fellow councilmembers to bring city staff along if they were approached by the company for a meeting and to notify members of council. All council members present (Tara Nealey was absent) agreed to do so or pledged not to meet with a developer.

Delmar Gardens CEO Gabe Grossberg was reached by phone while traveling out of the country Tuesday. He declined to comment on the project until he returns to work Monday.