Tim Landis
Business Editor
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The former ESQUIRE THEATRE took up much of the monthly meeting Thursday of the MacArthur Boulevard Association. Ward 7 Ald. Joe McMenamin, whose ward includes the former theater at MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue, and Ward 6 Ald. Cory Jobe, a former association president, had definite differences of opinion on local developer Chris Stone’s decision to drop plans for a strip center on the site.
“I think Chris Stone’s group is the right fit,” Jobe said. “There’s no developer here yet, and I think we might have got shortsighted with pushing Chris to the side.” Jobe said a retail center would provide a realistic start to long-term plans to add residential and office space.
McMenamin, who backs a more ambitious plan for retail, residential and commercial development on the property, said boulevard supporters should focus on a long-term redevelopment strategy.
“No one pushed Chris Stone aside. Chris Stone walked his own path,” said McMenamin, who supports formation of an advisory council on boulevard development. “We need an advisory group so we can give a heads-up on what our expectations are.”
McMenamin said a St. Louis group that specializes in housing has expressed interest in the Esquire property.
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Joe McMenamin for Ward 7 