City Council Discusses Delmar Gardens Report

A welcome improvement or the revival of ongoing discussions about balancing development and traffic concerns in Creve Coeur?

Those were among the questions posed during Monday's city council meeting in light of a recent St. Louis Business Journal report that indicated

' President and Chief Executive Officer Gabe Grossberg told Creve Coeur Patch Monday afternoon he was unaware that council members were going to discuss the project Monday evening. Grossberg declined to comment extensively on the project, saying that plans were not yet finalized and would not likely be submitted until sometime in April. He did say the reported estimate of an $80 million pricetag on the "dream project" was accurate, and that the project would be done in "multiple phases."

Grossberg said there have been no discussions with any elected officials or staff from the city of Creve Coeur about the project and that the company is still talking with potential builders. Monday night, City Administrator Mark Perkins reiterated what he told Patch Friday, that there had not been discussions with the firm regarding the development.

Council members Monday asked Perkins to make contact with Delmar Gardens about the project, as not much more is known now then was known when the St. Louis Business Journal report, which indicated a desire to complete the former Levinson Homes Belle Maison residential development, came out last week.

Ward One Councilwoman Beth Kistner suggested that the project wasn't getting off to the best start in that city leaders appeared to be learning about it through the media, but also cautioned, "They (Delmar Gardens) can say they have detailed plans, it doesn't mean its remotely possible." Ward Three Councilman Bob Hoffman added, "We dont know what the $80 million dream is."

Ward Four Councilwoman Laura Bryant, who requested Monday's discussion in the wake of news reports about the development and asked city staff to confirm that no informal vetting of the project had taken place, also cautioned the public to keep an open mind. "This could be a huge improvement," Bryant said.

In other developments:

• Council gave final approval to an at the as part of a new partnership with the website golfnow.com to attract more customers for off-peak tee times.
• Council members unanimously voted to start a three month trial period for using metal detectors at council meetings and Planning and Zoning Commission meetings.