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Hadley Township residents seek finality - RH mayor says redevelopment may be one step closer

By Casey Godwin

Hadley Township is one step closer to actually seeing redevelopment, according to Richmond Heights Mayor James J. Beck.

On April 30, St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge David Vincent III issued a court order appointing three commissioners to meet and set a purchase price for properties belonging to Renee Bell. Bell, who owns Waterhout Construction Company, had sued the city in an effort to prevent her land from being condemned.

In a statement issued by the city, Beck states, the city was “pleased with the ruling and that it takes the project one step closer to reality.”

Michelson Commercial Realty and Development LLC started negotiations with the city more than a year ago to build a $190 million mixed-use development. The Hadley Heights/Hadley Center project would put a 150-room hotel, retail, offices, and 153 upscale homes and condos on the 50-acre plot along Hanley Road, just south of I-64.

The city has spent the last 10 years on a rollercoaster ride over the area. Three developers previous to Michelson presented the city with a vision for the area, but each deal fell through.

In October 2007, the city entered into an agreement with Michelson.

Homeowners in the area expected to start closing on their properties that November, and to this date they are still waiting for a promised 90-day notice to close.

“We are hopeful the developer will close on all properties within the developmental area by the end of this year,” Beck said.

However, Hadley Township residents are holding less hope and little patience these days.

Many of the nearly 200 property owners who either signed sales contracts or whose homes were condemned attended the Richmond Heights Council meeting on May 5 to bring light to their situation.

“We’re an older community,” said Reginald Finney. “We have sat and watched some of our neighbors pass away waiting for this process to take place. There are other elderly neighbors who are being seriously impacted by the stress of this ongoing process.”

Most of those who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting stressed that the negotiations needed to end as soon as possible.

Three other litigations are currently holding up the process and Bell has the right to appeal her case within 40 days of the ruling. Properties on West Bruno, Banneker and Berkley avenues are currently involved in suits regarding the development.

Meanwhile, homeowners are wondering whether they should invest money into much needed repairs of their homes.

“Our properties are deteriorating and we’re having to make repairs,” said JoAnn Bailey. “This is unfair to us.”

Bailey said there are four properties that she is aware of that have already gone through closing.

“I have heard Michelson say that it will not honor any contracts in Hadley Township until all were ready to be settled,” said Erma M. Nevels. “Today I learn two of my neighbors’ contracts have been honored. If that is the case, I want mine honored.”

City Manager Amy Hamilton confirmed that possibly three properties have gone through closing. Those contracts were negotiated with Michelson as hardship cases and were not closed because of litigation.

Additionally, the commissioner appointed to one of the Bell properties was paid into the court.

Some residents have fears that the project will fall through, essentially leaving them in financial ruin.

“The council has done everything within its power to negotiate an agreement that should work,” said city spokesperson Irene Johnson. “The council is expecting nothing less than this project will go forward and be completed.”