New
Building In Ville Neighborhood
On March 13, after years of planning and with the help of the
Slay administration, a festive groundbreaking ceremony was held
for Habitat for Neighborhood Business.
The partnership with Saint Louis University broke ground on their
first free standing retail and service center in the heart of
the historic Ville neighborhood at Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
and Whittier Avenue.
The Habitat for Neighborhood Business is primarily a volunteer
organization that develops urban retail and service business centers
in economically distressed neighborhoods. Through a unique incubation
program, Habitat strives to revitalize neighborhoods with economic
activities, including job growth and business role models for
young people as well as other citizens. The seven storefronts
will range from about 900 to 1,200 square feet. Interface Construction
Corp. is the general contractor.
Digging up the ground readying it for construction
are (left to right): Dean Ellen Harshman, John Cook School of
Business; Joe Westbrook, DB Gourmet Cookies; Doug Brown, retired
executive and founder of HNB; St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay;
4th Ward Alderman Sam Moore; and City Treasurer Larry Williams.
(Photo by Gentry W. Trotter)
