It appears that St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger may have found a way around the conflict in the St. Louis County Council over who controls what happens at Jamestown Mall. And the first business affected by the maneuver is the only business remaining on the outer parcels of the property, Baucom’s Precious Memories Services.
From weddings to memorials, church services and celebrations, Kelvin Orlando Baucom, its CEO and president, has operated his special events venue business on the Old Jamestown Road end of the mall since 2011. It is located in a converted bank building.
“People have had baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries – we have a lower level that accommodates other private events, like repasts,” said Baucom, who has also been in the funeral business for more than 30 years.
Within eyesight of his business, Baucom had been subleasing the former Sears automotive space to store vehicles and equipment. He recently received a 30-day notice to vacate the old Sears garage space; however, he is hoping for more time to find a suitable location.
The St. Louis County Port Authority took ownership of the old Sears space in December 2016. Sheila Sweeney, CEO of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, which includes the Port Authority, said the garage has been occupied without rent being paid to the Port Authority, and Baucom’s business has received extensions on the notice to vacate the garage, which is now set for the end of March.
“We’ve been very kind, more than kind in trying to work with him as best we could, but he needs at some point to understand that we’re acquiring those properties so that we can get rid of the public nuisance and the safety issue that goes on there,” Sweeney told The American.
On February 10, the St. Louis County Port Authority passed a resolution at the request of Stenger to advance the acquisition of the remaining property not already owned by the county at Jamestown Mall.
Baucom said he is in negotiations with the owner of part of the mall, New Jamestown Mall Holding LLC, to purchase the two-acre parcel where his office and a smaller building are located. This does not include the Sears garage space.
Informally, any mall plans currently would not affect Baucom’s location.
“They have given the okay, or recognized the fact that I do have a business here, so according to Ms. Sweeney, they are not trying to affect me,” Baucom said, and Sweeney confirmed.
“It’s not a public nuisance. In fact, it’s the opposite of that,” Sweeney said. “I think, let him operate and continue to provide services to that community. If he can operate that there due to its location and separation from the mall, it’s not a public safety hazard. That’s great if he can continue.”
Port Authority action follows a February 9 letter by Stenger to the authority, where Stenger asked them to “expeditiously utilize its statutory power to acquire the remaining parcels and immediately thereafter seek proposals for clearing the entire site.”
“With this approval by the Port Authority Board, we can move quickly to secure ownership of the remaining parcels,” Sweeney said. “We will finally eliminate this dangerous eyesore and fulfill the community’s wishes to live in a safe environment.”
Jamestown Mall has fallen into disrepair after closing in 2014, but not where Baucom operates.
The Port Authority is seeking to condemn the property, rather than the blight designation previously sought through the County Council by the Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority, or LCRA.
A 2013 Missouri Supreme Court decision unanimously ruled that a port authority cannot condemn land solely for economic development purposes, hence the focus on the public safety hazard of the abandoned property.
Stenger has said the County Council will have the opportunity to approve the site plan and rezoning of the property, and citizens will have many opportunities to participate in the process as well.
Jamestown Mall is located in District 4, represented by Councilwoman Rochelle Walton Gray.
“The community doesn’t want to see the mall torn down if it can be developed,” Walton Gray said.
Her substitute bill, which would have given authority on what will become of the mall to the County Council rather than the LCRA, was voted down.
“We would have preferred to do this through the council, but it is critical to keep this project moving,” Stenger posted on the county website. “Using the Port Authority’s powers is the best way to proceed in a timely manner.”
Stenger is up for reelection next year. Walton Gray is new to the council, having defeated an ally of Stenger’s, longtime incumbent Mike O’Mara.
Without making any specific promises, in his letter to the Port Authority, Stenger did make note of one of Walton Gray’s concerns – minority inclusion.
“Any request for proposal should provide that bona fide minority general contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers have full and equal opportunity to compete in the solicitation process, and participate in performance of the work under subcontracts and purchase orders by the general contractor and other subcontractors under the general construction contract and other construction contracts let by the Port Authority,” Stenger wrote.
Sweeney said they remain hopeful in negotiations with remaining owners. “We remain in contact,” she said. “The community is more than anxious to get something done, as is the county executive.”
