St. Louis County gets $2 million federal grant for early child-care center in Wellston
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
August 10, 2010
By Phil Sutin
A preliminary rendering of a child-care center that St. Louis County would build near MetroLink tracks in Wellston. Additional design work may change its appearance. (St. Louis County Economic Council)
St. Louis County has received $2 million in federal community development block grant money to help pay for constructing a child-care center for 164 infants and children up to six years old in Wellston.
The center would be near the Wellston MetroLink station. Construction could begin early next year and be complete up to 18 months later, Nancy Schoebelen, a spokeswoman for the county's economic council, said today.
The center has been for many years in her agency's plans for redeveloping the area near the MetroLink station. Earlier, the council received $3 million in federal funds through Sen. Christopher Bond, R-Mo. The agency needs to raise $700,000 for the project, Schoebelen said.
The economic council is negotiating with University City Childcare on a contract to operate the center. The council selected the group through a request for proposals.
Last week, County Executive Charlie Dooley asked the county council to accept the $2 million grant.
