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FIELD OF DREAMS: The corn is high in front of Jamestown Mall, but that’s not a flying saucer landed at the shopping mall!  That’s the tent for the annual Universoul Circus setting up for shows. The dreams and future of the mall could be answered following a series of public meetings Sept. 9-14                                                   Bob Lindsey photo

BY JAY-DEE BUSH

Residents of North St. Louis County have reason to be hopeful about the future of the  struggling Jamestown Mall.

This hope comes as a result of a recent meeting that was held at Jamestown Cine movie theatre when more than 300 residents showed up to hear what designers are considering for the mall. They also came out to express their questions and concerns.

Several options were presented. Examples included of previous  struggling shopping centers across the U.S.A. that were renovated after a little revitalization had taken place.

St. Louis County officials and designers alike believe that it is crucial that residents have a say in what Jamestown Mall becomes.

“It’s extremely important that you give us feedback. We need to think about what we want North County to be known for,” said County Executive Charlie Dooley.

Designers expressed similar sentiment, “The idea is if we work together we can get more accomplished than we can individually,” said James Dougherty of Dover Kohl and Partners.

Dougherty also talked about the possibility of redesigning the mall to include: senior living, small business offices, and a Boys and Girls club just to name a few. In addition designers would like to see the mall become more integrated with the surrounding neighborhoods making it a more walkable place.

They contend this would make the area more green friendly and reduce the C02 emissions generated from traveling in cars.

Right now everything is just  ideas and nothing is definite. A St. Louis County study had recommended tearing down the mall and starting all over.  Current owners of the mall don’t see m to favor that proposal.

A St. Louis County Economic Council panel, after a series of briefing and visit last September, suggested a complete transformation of the mall site from its “current outdated into a lively, walkable, human-scaled and memorably town center.”

But the designers did reassure those in attendance that during the month of September things will become clearer as four separate hearings are planned.

The community will get another  chance to help-out with the design selection by brainstorming ideas and even coming up with drawings of what they envision for Jamestown Mall.

Dougherty said that he wants the people from the community to look over the shoulders of the designers while voicing their opinions about what they would like to see. He also said that he wants to be as transparent as possible.

The belief is if the people in the community know that what they want is being implemented in the design, they will support it by shopping there.

The designers encouraged everyone in attendance at the first meeting to attend the upcoming ones in September.  “The more people we have the more ideas we’re going to get out of that,” said Dougherty.

These are the times and dates of the upcoming meetings to be held at Florissant Valley Community College:

A hands-on session will be held on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 6-9pm.

An open design studio will be held on Friday, Sept. 10-Sunday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

An open house will be held on Saturday, Sept.  11 from 10:30 a.m.-to noon..

A work –in-progress presentation will be held on Tuesday, Sept.  14 from 6-8 p.m. During this presentation residents will get a chance to see all the work that was completed during the week.

All sessions will be held at: St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley Student Center Multipurpose Room , 3400 Pershall Road.

For more updates visit: www.slcc.com/jamestownmall.htm; or call Edger Velazquezat (314) 615-7500.

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