Grant's Farm subject of lawsuit among Busch dynasty siblings

GRANTWOOD VILLAGE, Mo. -- In the 34 years they've been married, Ed and Sheri Brimer have lived in three homes. Each was in Grantwood Village, because the couple couldn't bring themselves to leave what they see as a treasure in their own backyard: Grant's Farm.

The more than 200-acre wildlife park in south St. Louis County has been a constant in the Brimers' lives. But it is poised for change, although of what form is the subject of a lawsuit among the sibling heirs of the Busch beer dynasty.

Four of six heirs of beer baron August A. "Gussie" Busch Jr. want to sell the farm to the St. Louis Zoo for about $30 million so it can expand its wildlife operations.

Billy Busch, 56, has the support of one of his siblings, Adolphus Busch, 62, in his plan to instead buy out his siblings for $24 million to keep the park in the family.

The Brimers and the rest of Grantwood Village -- a municipality of 347 homes and 863 people that surrounds the north and east sides of Grant's Farm -- have no vote in who gains control of the property. Courts will decide.

But they have a stake in the outcome in terms of neighborhood character and property taxes the park contributes to the area -- about $75,000 to the Lindbergh school district and $4,000 to the village annually.

The zoo, as a not-for-profit, would not have to pay property taxes on the land if it prevails.

Residents, however, have been reassured the 22 acres on which the Busches' 100-year-old "ancestral home" sits is not part of the plans. That land contributes about 82 percent of the property value, according to village trustees.

Any significant changes also would require zoning or planning approval from the village.

Both sides of the family say they are interested in maintaining the park's character and use, while arguing the competing plan could bring changes.

About 80 residents recently had a chance to weigh in on the zoo's vision for the property.

Village trustees, who hosted the presentation, said they'd be interested in doing the same for the alternate proposal and are taking no stance on which they prefer.

The zoo has said it will need increased tax revenue to support the purchase, which may include a small sales tax for surrounding counties.

The biggest fear of Grantwood Village residents? The property would be redeveloped into another "yuppie subdivision," as one attendee put it.

Barring that, residents seemed primarily concerned with existing problems that could grow worse no matter who takes over: traffic and parking.

One resident of the Old Grantwood neighborhood, who declined to give his name, said it took 30 minutes at times to leave his house last summer, when the park brought in about 550,000 people -- about 100,000 short of its capacity.

Ed Brimer, of the same area, said he was pleased with the zoo's presentation. He said once residents accept change is inevitable, it's a question of who can best bring the property into the future -- and the zoo seems "the best alternative out there."

That brought applause from his neighbors. So did zoo President Jeffrey Bonner's promise the park would continue the tradition of offering free beer to visitors.

Bonner said traffic issues would be studied, and parking would remain limited, which would help control any influx of visitors. He reassured one resident a mounted chair lift, one idea floated, would not become reality if neighbors didn't want it. Lighting at night would be dim so it wouldn't disturb wildlife, he said. The zoo would keep existing fencing for its rustic charm. Current employees would stay.

Bottom line, he said: "It can't be anything other than what you want it to be."