Cardinals announce revised plans for Ballpark Village

ST. LOUIS -- With the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis less than a year away, the Cardinals on Wednesday announced a revised plan for Ballpark Village, a complex of office space, retailers and restaurants that will eventually replace the muddy, vacant ground left when the old Busch Stadium was torn down.

The total project is expected to cost up to $600 million. Phase 1 will include a mix of office, entertainment and retail space on the eight-acre site. Phase 2 would add more, plus up to 250 residential units.

The project was announced years ago but has hit several snags, most notably earlier this year when Centene Corp. dropped plans to relocate to Ballpark Village from suburban St. Louis, a move that would have brought 1,200 jobs to the city. The sluggish housing economy has also stalled the residential aspect of the project.

Still, Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III said he is thrilled with the current plan.

"To be able to pull this off in this economic environment is quite a feat," DeWitt said.

Critics have dubbed the area "Lake DeWitt" as the project has lingered. Clearly visible over the stands in left-center field, the huge hole in the ground left by the old ballpark fills with deep, brown water. Some civic leaders have expressed concern about the image that would project during baseball's midseason showcase event.

DeWitt said preliminary site work will begin within weeks. By the All-Star Game next July, he expects several buildings to be coming up. Other parts of the property will be used to house interactive displays and other events for the game, he said.

The project will include some tax incentives, but Mayor Francis Slay noted the city's share comes only from future tax revenue generated by the project itself. He said he will recommend immediate approval from aldermen.

Baltimore-based Cordish Co. remains the developer.

DeWitt said completion of Phase 1 of the project will depend on how quickly it gets the go-ahead from city and state political leaders. The cost of Phase 1 will be about $320 million. How much development occurs in Phase 2 will depend upon several factors, including how the economy is at that time, DeWitt said.

The project is expected to result in 3,000 construction jobs and more than 2,000 permanent jobs, the Cardinals said.