OPO open for business
Meyers commends OPO as 'beacon' of education to 'burn brightly and proudly for years to come'
By: Ryan Martin
Issue date: 1/26/06 Section: News
Other ceremony participants who didn't speak included Elizabeth Russell, director of the OPO campus and Ed Glotzbach, chairman of the board of trustees at Webster.
Beth Russell, director of the OPO campus, said, "We have moved closer into the central business corridor. We have enjoyed 32 years downtown most recently housed in the Lammert Building. As you may be aware, this process has taken eight years of planning, negotiating and developing. We have more than doubled our space."
The twelve and a half year lease Webster signed for the OPO campus is the longest lease the university has ever signed, Meyers said. The campus includes 15 classrooms, three computer labs, two student lounges, two vending areas and a conference room. The campus building also serves as an administrative site.
Campus enrollment is presently 583 students. Classrooms will occupy all of the mid level, which is one level below the street level. There will also be an administrative office on the street level.
A parking garage next door to the OPO, known as the 9th Street Garage, was supposed to open in time for the start of classes, but construction problems have delayed its opening until later this year. Parking is still available for students at nearby lots and garages.
The Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, is moving into the building now. The St. Louis Business Journal, St. Louis Public Library, Pasta House Pronto and Teach for America will move in this spring.
Work is still underway on the $35 million renovation project of the OPO by DESCO Group, DFC Group, Inc., and architect Trivers Associates.
Ryan Shuntae, marketing and public relations manager of Downtown St. Louis Partnership, said all renovations on the OPO are expected to be completed by this March.
OPO TIMELINE
1884: Alfred B. Mullet designs the Old Post Office. Mullet also designed the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Nov. 2000: The Old Post Office Occupancy Committee recommends leasing about 35,000 square feet of the building.
May 2004: Webster officials sign a 12 ½ year lease for 32, 502 square feet, the longest lease ever signed by the university.
Oct. 2004: A lawsuit filed by downtown resident Marcia Behrendt is dismissed, clearing the way for demolition of the nearby Century Building to make way for a parking garage. Many preservationists challenged the demolition, saying the Century Building was in more need of preservation than the OPO.
Beth Russell, director of the OPO campus, said, "We have moved closer into the central business corridor. We have enjoyed 32 years downtown most recently housed in the Lammert Building. As you may be aware, this process has taken eight years of planning, negotiating and developing. We have more than doubled our space."
The twelve and a half year lease Webster signed for the OPO campus is the longest lease the university has ever signed, Meyers said. The campus includes 15 classrooms, three computer labs, two student lounges, two vending areas and a conference room. The campus building also serves as an administrative site.
Campus enrollment is presently 583 students. Classrooms will occupy all of the mid level, which is one level below the street level. There will also be an administrative office on the street level.
A parking garage next door to the OPO, known as the 9th Street Garage, was supposed to open in time for the start of classes, but construction problems have delayed its opening until later this year. Parking is still available for students at nearby lots and garages.
The Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, is moving into the building now. The St. Louis Business Journal, St. Louis Public Library, Pasta House Pronto and Teach for America will move in this spring.
Work is still underway on the $35 million renovation project of the OPO by DESCO Group, DFC Group, Inc., and architect Trivers Associates.
Ryan Shuntae, marketing and public relations manager of Downtown St. Louis Partnership, said all renovations on the OPO are expected to be completed by this March.
OPO TIMELINE
1884: Alfred B. Mullet designs the Old Post Office. Mullet also designed the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Nov. 2000: The Old Post Office Occupancy Committee recommends leasing about 35,000 square feet of the building.
May 2004: Webster officials sign a 12 ½ year lease for 32, 502 square feet, the longest lease ever signed by the university.
Oct. 2004: A lawsuit filed by downtown resident Marcia Behrendt is dismissed, clearing the way for demolition of the nearby Century Building to make way for a parking garage. Many preservationists challenged the demolition, saying the Century Building was in more need of preservation than the OPO.
