ONSL at Top of List of Neighborhood Success Stories

Once again Kaid Benfield, director of the Smart Growth Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, has used his blog to heap some praise on the revitalization under way in Old North St. Louis.  Kaid’s latest blog posting provides his list of the top 11 “very favorite smart, livable places that are contributing positively to the environment, as I’ve written about them over the past year.”   And guess which neighborhood he mentions first?  Topping the list is Old North, along with one of our pictures of Crown Candy and the line of customers stretching out the front door.

Kaid explains ONSL’s inclusion on the list by repeating his positive comments that he used in his original post about Old North in June of this year:

“Every now and then I run across a story that is so good, that feels so right, that I thank my lucky stars for the freedom NRDC gave me to evolve my career into working for better, more sustainable communities.  This is such a story, and it reveals an historic, diverse, inclusive neighborhood that is reclaiming its identity, restoring its infrastructure, empowering its residents, and securing its future . . .”

The full list of neighborhood success stories, including Kaid’s comments about ONSL, can be found by clicking on this link to Kaid Benfield’s 2008 List of Favorite Places.

One of the reasons Old North is catching the attention of people who care about nurturing sustainable neighborhoods is ONSL’s growing list of formerly collapsing, vacant buildings that have been transformed into attractive residential properties.  Among the recent examples of this achievement is the building at 2817 N. 14th Street, just a few doors up from Crown Candy.

2817 N. 14th Street in 2007

2817 N. 14th Street in 2008

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• Crown Square, Historic rehabs, ONSL amenities, ONSL in the news, Renovation, sustainability
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Celebrate the Holidays - & a year of great progress in ONSL

Among the causes for celebration:  over the past several months all of the “off-the-mall” buildings that are part of the Crown Square project have been completely rehabbed and are fully occupied by new Old North residents who are enjoying their first holiday season in affordable, high quality, beautifully rehabbed apartments.  The first apartments on the former mall itself are nearing completion and almost ready for occupancy.  If you or anybody you know would be interested in living in a one-of-a-kind, really cool apartment at Crown Square, contact our leasing agents at Cohen-Esrey by phone at 314-588-7267 or via email at crownsquare@cohenesrey.com.

Below are some interior views of apartments that are nearing completion or available for lease soon.

2605-Rear N. 14th Street

2712-14 N. 14th Street

 

View from upstairs apartment at 2712 N. 14th Street

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• 14th Street Mall, Crown Square, Historic rehabs, Life in ONSL, ONSL amenities, Renovation
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Jan. 16 Trivia Night to Benefit New World-Class Hostel in ONSL

It seems like 2009 is a long way away, but January is right around the corner! Mark your calendars now for a great night of good fun in support of a worthy cause. On Friday, January 16, Hostelling International-Gateway Council and Old North St. Louis Restoration Group will be co-sponsoring a trivia night to benefit the development of a world-class hostel in Old North St. Louis. For more information and to purchase tickets online, click on over to the Hostelling International – Gateway Council’s website.

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• Hostelling International - Gateway Council, Mullanphy Emigrant Home