The demolition of Chesterfield Mall, a one-time hub of commerce and community, began Tuesday, making space for a new vision of urban living in the St. Louis region. The Staenberg Group, the property's owners, took the ceremonial first step in dismantling the structure, starting with the front awning, an event captured by First Alert 4. The ceremony attracted Chesterfield locals, amongst them were James and Lauren Sitarski, who hold the site dear as the starting point of their relationship.
According to Fox2Now, Chesterfield Mayor Bob Nation commended the upcoming construction of "Downtown Chesterfield," a project intended to freshly manifest itself as a multi-purpose complex inclusive of apartment buildings, retail shops, a park, and more. The demolition, expected to span six months, contemplates a gradual dismantling rather than an immediate implosion, allowing materials to be salvaged and repurposed for future use—a decision Michael Staenberg highlighted as environmentally conscientious.
Upon completion, the $2 billion "Downtown Chesterfield" will cover 117 acres, boasting spaces for residence, business, dining, and shopping. "I hope in two years people will say 'Wow,'" Staenberg told First Alert 4, envisioning a transformed region that binds the communities of St. Charles and St. Louis counties. Moreover, the plan includes nearly 2,400 new apartments, offices, restaurants, retail, and grocery options, organized around a public park embellished with a bike path and pedestrian trail.
There has been hesitancy among some community members, with concerns about potential traffic issues and a demand for more green spaces. After numerous meetings and compromises, residents like Kelli Unnerstall, leader of Citizens for Developing Downtown Chesterfield, have expressed their contentment with the inclusion of a park at the center of the development. Unnerstall conveyed to KSDK, "We're thrilled to see that the Staenberg Group settled on a park as the core and the heart of the development." This inclusion reflects the outcome of a community willing to actively engage and shape the future landscape of their city.
