Latest posts tagged with #cortex353 on Bluesky
😂😢😡
It’s bonkers.
FYI: The correct vote tally on #BOAbb82 is included in this post:
bsky.app/profile/gcon...
I haven’t deleted the original as it’s in the middle of a 16 skeet 🧵 from yesterday’s BOA. Focus on BB 82 & #BOAbb68 for the #Cortex353 blight extension. Equally bonkers!
Having voted to reconsider #BOAbb68, the BOA resumed debate on the bill.
Starts at 1:14:00: youtu.be/LGF6hL5uWII?...
Vote at 1:29:15
Contact @caraspencer.bsky.social & ask her to #VetoBB68
#Cortex353
The Cortex comms team can take a break after a successful 6 week charm offensive on social media
The exchange between Alderwoman Sonnier and Cortex CEO Fiorello regarding eminent domain starts at 27:00 in the Oct. 7 #HUDZ committee video:
youtu.be/G0ABt-geyU4?...
(runs to 29:30)
FYI: The public storage facility at #4210ForestPark is in operation.
#BOAbb68 #Cortex353 #CortexTIF #4140ForestPark
Update on #BOAbb68 #Cortex353 debate:
Ald. Browning did correct himself, stating that eminent domain was previously employed at the ikea site.
IIRC, I believe the reason for use of eminent domain by Cortex West Redev. Corp. was to clear clouded title to facilitate a sale by a willing owner.
11:15 a.m. bb 68
Browning is wrong. Eminent domain has been used by the #Cortex353
See Planning Commission meeting video.
Alderman Cohn motions to reconsider Zombie blight #BOAbb68 for #Cortex353
Approved with 8 (?) ayes and 2 nos.
Thx to Narayan & Tyus on voting no.
Shame on all those who voted aye.
Beware the Zombie 🧟♀️ blight in #BOAbb68
The original blight approval for the #Cortex353 redev. area was approved in 2005.
20 yrs of blight is enough.
Wash. U has hired lobbyist D. Sweeney. Wash. U’s agenda probably includes the passage of BB 68. WU & Cortex want to extend the eminent domain rights.
Happy #BOAfriday, especially to those St. Louis BOA officials who will oppose the reconsideration of #BOAbb68 , which didn’t gain sufficient votes for final passage at the Oct. 24 meeting.
#Cortex353
🎃 At Friday’s BOA meeting, beware the possible return of #BOAbb68 for the zombie 🧟♂️ blight for the #Cortex353 redevelopment area.
Remind your alder to #VoteNOonBB68
Cortex can negotiate with owners to purchase property without the governmental power of eminent domain.
#eminentdomainabuse
#CortexTIF
I attended the panel discussion at today’s “We are Cortex” event.
I skipped the “free” lunch, but did let Cortex know that I want to see an end to the blight & eminent domain in Board Bill 68.
#BOAbb68 #Cortex353 #CortexTIF
Cortex’s full court lobbying press is no doubt in high gear for #BOAbb68
The nonprofit with government powers (via #Cortex353) & large public subsidies (via #CortexTIF) has an influential board. Members include, FYI: SLDC’s board chair Nancy Hawes & CEO Williams, Ald. Browning & SLEDP’s Rodney Crim
Which alder will motion to reconsider BB 68?
The bill extends eminent domain in the #Cortex353
Cortex wants the owner of 4210 Forest Park to "lean into a conversation" about selling. 👀
FYI: The vote result was updated today to correctly reflect the 10.24.25 votes of Green & Aldridge on #BOAbb68.
"The bill failed to receive a two thirds majority approval, after only receiving seven yes votes when it needed eight. Five aldermen voted against the measure."
Roll call vote tally pending. 3 members of the BOA didn't vote on #BOAbb68 I don't know if any alders were absent.
#Cortex353 #CortexTIF
Happy #BOAfriday to all, especially the alders voting NO on these bills:
#BOAbb68 Extends #Cortex353 blight designation & eminent domain.
#CortexTIF
#BOAbb82 Sale of Interco Plaza park to developer John Berglund/Starwood Group
Board of Aldermen meeting starts at 10 a.m.
#WhoBenefits?
Cortex CEO Fiorello wants to extend eminent domain rights via #BOAbb68, in part to get the owner of Extra Space Storage to "lean into a conversation" (his words) about selling the building at 4210 Forest Park.*
*FYI for the BOA: the facility is still in operation.
#Cortex353
bsky.app/profile/kava...
Agenda for Oct. 24 BOA meeting at 10 a.m.
tinyurl.com/3uzk3zps
Re: #BOAbb68 for #Cortex353 blight extension.
Conflicts of interest are evident for
four officials on the Cortex board:
Nancy Hawes (reps Mayor Spencer)
Ald. Browning (sponsor of BB 68)
Otis Williams (SLDC Pres/CEO)
Rodney Crim (SLEDP)
“Roll Call Sheet” documenting the perfection vote on Board Bill 19 at the 10.17.25 BOA meeting. BB 19 was perfected on a vote of 11 to 3.
Screen capture image of portions of page 10 and 11 of the BOA meeting minutes for the 10.17.15 full session meeting of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. Perfection of BB 68. Link to meeting minutes: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/city-laws/upload/legislative/minutes/Mins%20October%2017,%202025%20Updated.pdf
Thanks to Alders Cohn, Narayan & Alderwoman Tyus for voting NO on #BOAbb68 at the first full BOA session vote at the Oct. 17 meeting.
See image 1 for roll call sheet & image 2 for minutes. BB 68 was perfected by a vote of 11 ayes to 3 nays. Ald. Cox Antwi did not cast a vote.
#CortexTIF #Cortex353
This Friday: Final vote on #BOAbb68 to extend blight designation & eminent domain in the #CORTEX353 area.
Remember, there’s no free anything organized by Cortex*
The nonprofit with the hefty payroll would be operating in the red without public money. #CortexTIF
*See Cortex’s social media campaign.
Background on the perpetual blight in the #Cortex353 redevelopment area from @kavahnmansouri.bsky.social
Final vote on BB 68 expected on Oct. 28
Related: #CortexTIF plays a silent role in #BOAbb83, which channels $1M in sales tax revenue to Corporate Interiors Inc.
bsky.app/profile/kava...
Now that the blight extension for the #Cortex353 has been perfected by the Board of Aldermen, the Cortex marketing team can scale back its month-long social media campaign.
I expect the final vote on #BOAbb68 at the Oct. 28 BOA meeting. Then head over to 4240 Duncan for a free #CortexTIF lunch.
Meme over image of building at 4210 Forest Park Ave. The text reads: “We are Cortex and we want five more years of blight so we can exercise eminent domain rights.” Foreground: safety barrier for the construction site of the 4140 Forest Park Ave development by Washington University. Image from Google Street view. Accessed on 10.17.25
Screen capture image from the YouTube video of the October 7, 2025 meeting of the BOA housing, urban development and zoning committee https://youtu.be/G0ABt-geyU4?si=tcWWIKb5TFg26Ojw Public hearing on BB no. 68. Starts at 1:30. Approx 32 minutes.
Screen capture image from the Board of Alderman website, showing the summary of board bill number 68. Link to BB68: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/city-laws/upload/legislative/boardbills/introduced/BB68%20Combined%202.pdf
Building at 4210 Forest Park Ave. Image from Google Street view. Accessed on 10.17.25
Happy #BOAfriday, especially to the member(s) of the Board of Aldermen voting NO on #BOAbb68 at today’s 10 a.m. full BOA meeting.
BB 68 extends the bight determination for the #cortex353 redevelopment area for 5 more years & extends eminent domain rights.
🔗 in ALT to #HUDZ video & BB68 text.
“After almost 20 years, St. Louis officials say the area surrounding the #Cortex353 district IS STILL BLIGHTED & needs further redevelopment for another five years.”
STLPR report on today’s #HUDZ Committee hearing on #BOAbb68
bsky.app/profile/kava...
TIL that:
#BlightIsWhateverYouWantItToBe
City of St. Louis Planning Commission meeting.
#Cortex353 item is up next, item 4. Extension of eminent domain rights & blight. Will require Plan Comm hearing & board bill at BOA.
Spoiler: Cortex doesn’t need it!
Zoom link & passcode on page 1 of agenda.
www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/d...
Will the paper of record assign two reporters to review all SLDC’s records on the #CortexTIF & #Cortex353?
