Centene may revive Clayton plans

From The ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, Friday, April 24,2008
By Margaret Gillerman

The mayor of Clayton said today that new negotiations with Centene Corp. leave her "cautiously optimistic" that the company will restore plans to build its world corporate and a retail complex in that city.

Last month, Centene abandoned plans to move its headquarters from Clayton to the Ballpark Village site beside Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis.

Clayton had been the company's original choice, but the plan got mired in eminent domain issues that do not appear to be an obstacle any longer.

Regional and state officials are a part of Clayton's new discussions with Centene , officials said.

"While we are cautiously optimistic that the mutual needs of Centene and Clayton can be met, it's never a deal until it's done," said Mayor Linda Goldstein.

"We are hopeful Centene will see its current home in Clayton is a good one to build on for the future," Goldstein said. "We received positive feedback about the project and have been in negotiations."

Centene spokesman Ken Fields said the corporation appreciates "the ongoing support of the city of Clayton and its constituents."

"We remain hopeful that we can work together with the city of Clayton to keep our growing company in the St. Louis region," Fields said.

He noted that there were still "a number of steps that must be taken in order to solidify an agreement. " Until those details are addressed, we will continue to evaluate other potential options for the location of our world headquarters, both in and out of the St. Louis region."

The talks have been underway for about a week and a half, an official said. Goldstein said she is seeking a broad-based consensus from Clayton residents and businesses.

Centene's headquarters has been in Clayton since 1997, and it owns much of the block west of Hanley Road , between Forsyth Boulevard and Carondelet Avenue.

The city previously approved an expansion project - - estimated to cost $210 million -- for a headquarters and retail center. The city and Centene worked hard to promote it, hailing it as a boon to the entire region.

But the project fell through after owners of key parcels won a Missouri Supreme Court judgment in a fight to keep their land from being condemned by the city for Centene's benefit. Those owners have since sold the land to a third party, presumably making the eminent domain issue moot.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley issued a statement today that said, "We work hard every day to keep high-quality companies like Centene in our region. We believe the opportunity to keep their proposed mixed-use development in Clayton will provide this important and growing company with a state-of-the-art world headquarters that will serve them well for years to come."

Gov. Matt Blunt said, also in a prepared statement: "We have been firmly committed over the last three years to creating an economic climate that helps Missouri businesses grow and expand their presence in our state," He continued, "Our proposal is a sound investment in the St. Louis region's economic future and I am pleased to partner with the Missouri Development Finance Board, the City of Clayton and St. Louis County to help this Missouri employer create more jobs for workers and families."