The Cardinals have reached a milestone in the much anticipated construction of Ballpark Village. That is, they've opened a giant parking lot.
As of yesterday, the team announced, more than 400 new parking spots are available next to Busch Stadium.
They cost $20 apiece.
The announcement has already earned scorn from some St. Louisans who want the massive development in downtown to be less car-centric.
See also: - Cardinals Finally Break Ground on Ballpark Village, Release New Renderings - Ballpark Village Returns! Bet You Didn't See That One Coming - Ballpark Village: Cardinals Move Forward With Construction, Release New Plans
Some sample tweets from Alderman Scott Ogilvie:
.@cardinals prez Dewitt sold a mixed use ent dist to the BoA to get subsidy, now touts "convenient parking for fans" http://t.co/rHZznBPcNp
— Scott Ogilvie (@ward24stl) August 7, 2013
.@Cardinals BPV recap: State tax subsidy. Local tax subsidy. Cardinals Bar. Fake Cowboy Bar. 400 parking spaces. #economicdevelopment
— Scott Ogilvie (@ward24stl) August 7, 2013
.@jstriebel22 If @cardinals want to build their own bars & museum, god bless them. But in this case, tax money is involved. I expect more.
— Scott Ogilvie (@ward24stl) August 7, 2013
To wrap it up: City of StL has been a great home for the @cardinals. We've earned a great project for Downtown. This isn't it. Do better.
— Scott Ogilvie (@ward24stl) August 7, 2013
And some others:
Ballpark Car Village MT @ward24stl: This is just sad. The bare bones, subsidized, asphalt lot. Must. Demand. Better. pic.twitter.com/eD075dTpZ3
— Tony Messenger (@tonymess) August 6, 2013
Just sad. MT @Cardinals: Now open! More than 400 parking spaces ($20) at Ballpark Village available starting tonight pic.twitter.com/wAZlBAzLhA
— Michael Zerman (@michaelzerman) August 6, 2013
Density! Surface lots stink "@kmoxnews: Ballpark Village Parking Lot Now Open http://t.co/lIkdkouAeN #BPV"
— mike orrico (@mike_orrico) August 7, 2013
@Cardinals Yo what happened to Ballpark Village? #embarrassing
— Dan Pistor (@DanSTL77) August 6, 2013
@Cardinals So Ballpark Village took so long and the results are a giant parking lot with a building on it? Is this a joke?
— Andy Scott (@teamwefine) August 6, 2013
In a statement, Cardinals president William DeWitt III says, "This is a significant construction milestone that will improve the game-day experience by providing additional convenient parking for our fans. It is exciting to see the daily construction progress on Ballpark Village as we all look forward to Opening Day 2014."
This parking lot is just one part of the first phase of the development of Ballpark Village, which, as the team says, "represents the next step in the Cardinals' vision for their investment in downtown St. Louis that began with the opening of the privately financed, $411 Busch Stadium in 2006."
The team, partnering with Cordish Companies, bills the development site as a mixed-use retail, entertainment, office and residential district. It spans seven city blocks on a ten-acre site directly north of Busch Stadium.
The first $100 million phase includes an Anheuser-Busch-sponsored venue, a three-story building with the Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum and a restaurant.
The project has suffered repeated delays and setbacks.
Below are more photos the team released yesterday of construction and of the new parking lot, followed by some of photos and renderings from our previous coverage.
Continue for more photos.
