St. Louis County to expand Lemay Park
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
September 22, 2010
The St. Louis County Port Authority continues to reinvest in Lemay using a portion of its lease payments from River City Casino. The Port Authority purchased 152 Lemay Ferry Road, a dilapidated, vacant two-story building that also marks the gateway into the community of Lemay. The building will be demolished, and in its place, St. Louis County will use the two-acre site to expand Lemay Park. The build-out will include athletic fields and green space.
The building, which is expected to be razed later this fall, is located in a floodplain and was the former Lemay Bank building and most recently the defunct Gateway to the Cure Foundation headquarters. The open space development replaces land the Lemay Park sacrificed to construct River City Boulevard, a vital factor in building the casino.
"The revenue from River City Casino allows the County to give back and build stronger, better communities," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "Removing a deteriorating building and replacing it with park land will enhance the quality of life and improve a primary entrance to the Lemay community while further attracting economic development."
Earlier this month, the Port Authority awarded $1.7 million in grants from its Community Reinvestment Fund to seven Lemay organizations after each submitted funding requests in June.
"The construction of athletic fields is consistent with and advances Lemay's comprehensive plan," said Barbara Hehmeyer Executive Director of the Lemay Chamber of Commerce. "This is just one component of the exciting redevelopment initiatives in our community that will make Lemay a great place to live, learn, work and play."
Over the next five years, 75 percent of River City's lease payment will be reinvested in Lemay. Second round funding applications will be available on the Economic Council website October 1, 2010. Applications are due December 1, 2010.
