Busch siblings worry Grant's Farm may become subdivision

ST. LOUIS -- Four Anheuser-Busch heirs said they worry their brother, Billy Busch, will turn Grant's Farm animal park into a subdivision.

Trudy Busch Valentine and Andy Busch said they have seen housing plat maps drafted for the animal park.

Andy Busch said, "We just don't believe a startup company that he is dealing with has the legs to support Grant's Farm into future generations."

The park is owned by six Busch siblings. Earlier this month, four of the siblings sued to force the sale of most of the farm to the St. Louis Zoo for $30 million.

A hearing regarding the case is scheduled for March 28.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Billy Busch denied Saturday any interest in selling part of the animal park and promised a detailed business plan to be delivered to his siblings in the upcoming weeks.

Billy Busch, 56, and his brother, Adolphus Busch, 62, have asked their siblings to sell the 198 acres to Billy Busch for $24 million.

The two brothers said they want some part of Grant Farm to remain the way it is. They say the zoo plans to add a chair lift, a zip line and aerial bridges in the trees.

Billy Busch said he wants to build a small brewery onsite and move his Kräftig beer business there.

"If everything turns upside down and I had to sell a piece of Grant's Farm, I guess that option would be out there," Billy Busch said. "But my intent is never to have to do that."

Whether the deal with the zoo goes through or whether Billy Busch moves his microbrewery onto the property, 22 acres, including the Busch mansion, would remain with the family.

Two weeks ago, Billy and Adolphus Busch argued publicly the St. Louis Zoo would change the park's rustic and family-friendly feel.

Andy Busch said, "Our father's wishes were to keep this place intact for the long term, open to the public. The zoo offer, should it succeed, does that with near certainty."

"We say it's all business. And a lot of it is business. But I have also strongly felt this whole time that Grant's Farm is a legacy to the Busch family -- to our grandfather, to our father, to the six of us, in a way," Valentine said.