Former Mead factory closer to rebirth as lofts: Developer hopes

Tag : Paper Developer
Former Mead factory closer to rebirth as lofts: Developer hopes tobring urbanites Downtown

Joe BlumbergSt. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
Released : Saturday, July 12, 2008 4:00 AM
Jul. 12--Only about six weeks remain before the former MeadWestvacofactory begins its new life as the Mitchell Park Plaza.
The factory that formerly produced the Big Chief paper tablet shutdown in late 2004. Developer Steve Foutch is close to completingthe first of 258 loft apartments in the building, which he hopesalso will include restaurants, a coffee shop and banquet hall.
Mr. Foutch's other notable St. Joseph project, Lofts@415, at Thirdand Jules streets Downtown, remains St. Joseph's only large-scale,market-rate Downtown apartments.
"They thought it was too high-priced and no one would liveDowntown," Mr. Foutch said, "and it's full."
Mr. Foutch is confident that the one-of-a-kind product andamenities will again attract new urbanites to an area that manypeople would write off.
"We haven't seen anything in this area that you won't see in therest of town," Mr. Foutch said.
Rents will vary from $700-a-month one-bedroom lofts to $1,200corporate-stay units. The building will include 111 one-bedroom,111 two-bedroom and 36 three-bedroom apartments, many of which willhave some original exposed concrete floors, pillars and brick.
The rents might seem steep for St. Joseph at first glance, but Mr.Foutch said they're very competitive once people factor out the$200-plus monthly value of free services.
All units will include free cable, high-speed Internet and wirelessInternet; free access to the recreation center, indoor track andswimming pool; underground parking; a rooftop deck; and freewashers and dryers. The building also will have concierge service,and Mr. Foutch said residents can use free grocery delivery fromHy-Vee.
"It's just one of those amenities we're trying to give people," Mr.Foutch said. "We're going to have 700 people living here. That's asmall town right there."
About 90 apartments could be complete by the end of August orSeptember, Mr. Foutch said. People interested in signing up on awaiting list should send an e-mail to nancy@bionicllc.com.
The Mitchell Park Plaza, at 11th Street and Mitchell Avenue, isnear the Pony Express and Patee House museums. Mr. Foutch hadoriginally considered naming the building in honor of the old paperfactory, but he said Mead wouldn't allow it. He said the new namebetter reflects the neighborhood and the large multi-use feel ofthe building.
Joe Blumberg can be reached at joeblumberg@npgco.com.
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