"We didn't want to see suburban development, and we didn't want to see gentrification," says Diane Roche, executive director of the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group. "This neighborhood had a very strong sense of community and a longing to rebuild the neighborhood in a way that would respect diversity."
Meanwhile, Jim Roos second-guesses himself often, especially in those early morning hours before the sun is up and he's driving the five blocks from his home to his office. Should he have been more friendly? Should he have been less bull-headed? Should he have made sure Kleinbard got a good first impression of his apartments? Could he have convinced the Garden District Commission to save housing in McRee Town for poor people?
"I have real regrets," he says. "We failed to make this work. There's a sadness about that."
Almost seven years later, upscale dining and a French bakery have located at the corner of McRee and Tower Grove Ave. Redevelopment and new construction is continuing slowly but steadily. I looked at a two story two flat with upscale furnishings that had an asking price of almost $300,000. One possible game-changer is a Montessori school that is drawing suburban families of means into the neighborhood attendance boundaries.
Find everything you're looking for in your city
Find the best happy hour deals in your city
Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city
