St. Louis Rams to Play in Maryland Heights? Not Totally Out of the Question
The St. Louis Rams playing their home games in Maryland Heights would clearly mean arbitrators decided on their own plan. That scenario, however, remains unlikely.
A recent St. Louis Post-Dispatch report dissected the St. Louis Rams' options when it came to the team's playing facility as the organization neared an arbitration process that will determine the team's fate.
Among three potential areas to build a new stadium? Farmland in Maryland Heights in the vacinity of the Page Avenue extension.
From the report:
The three sites have long been discussed as possible homes for a new stadium — maybe even one for the Rams.
The team and the public agency that runs the Dome, the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission, have been at a stalemate for months over renovations required by the team’s 30-year lease.
Monday, three arbitrators will begin to hammer out answers. They will choose between three alternatives: the CVC’s renovation proposal, valued at least at $124 million; the Rams’ much pricier option; or a plan the arbitrators create themselves.
The Rams playing their home games in Maryland Heights would clearly mean arbitrators decided on their own plan.
That scenario, though, remains very unlikely, as both sides could find alternatives if they find arbitrators' decision to extreme.
More teasing from the report:
Maryland Heights city planner Michael Zeek said the city’s comprehensive plan could allow a stadium in several spots near 141.
“It’s always kinda been kicked around for this area,” he said...
Each potential site, however, has its own challenges. The suburban sites may sit on highways, but would still need major road renovations. Even then, they wouldn’t have access to the public transportation available downtown.
For more on this story, read the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article.
Dan
10:13 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The interesting thing is Metro already has mulled a plan that would make the public transportation point moot.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Boone_Corridor
This Metrolink line as proposed, but not yet approved, would end at Westport. However a long term plan would see it expanded further west - right through the Maryland Heights farmland proposed as a potential site. It's not hard to see them extending that a mere 4 miles and pushing it through to solve the issue. 141 wouldn't need much renovation now, either.
Brian Feldt
2:24 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Interesting perspective and context, Dan. Thanks for sharing that. I wouldn't mind seeing the Metro coming out to Westport. In fact, I'd welcome it. That said, I know others cringe at the thought. Would you be in favor of the Metro making it out this way?
Brad Stager
11:39 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
At one time the trolley ran from downtown St. Louis to Creve Couer Park. You can still find some remnants of the route, maybe.
Brian Feldt
8:03 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
It would be fun to bring something like that back, Brad. Anything to get some people out here.