Work begins at Ballpark Village

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Work is beginning at the Ballpark Village site near Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Early stages of the project will involve excavation and draining the large pool of water in the vacant land left behind by the demolition of old Busch Stadium.

Plans call for a complex of office space, retailers and restaurants that will eventually replace the muddy eyesore of vacant ground.

The Cardinals and the developer, the Cordish Co., hope to have phase 1 finished by 2010. Though the site won't be completed before next year's All-Star Game, the Cardinals expect to use part of the grounds for activities related to the game.

The project was announced years ago but hit several snags before plans were finalized last month.