March 2018 Message from the Mayor

March 2018 Edition

Happy Spring to all Chesterfield residents!

We are once again looking forward to warmer weather and enjoying all of the outdoor activities we have available to us in our area.

Myriad of new development projects 

Probably the most visible of these new developments is Top Golf, which is located at the east end of Chesterfield Valley on the north side of I-64. We eagerly anticipate an August opening date for this spectacular entertainment venue. Also new to the Valley are two hotels – the Holiday Inn Express and the Town Place Suites. Both are expected to open this year. A new Gas Mart Service Station has opened at the west end of the Valley by the Premium Outlet Mall. Watermark Apartments will be completed in phases, the first of which is anticipated to open by the end of the year. This will be a 345 unit multi-family development at Lydia Hill and Chesterfield Parkway.  Another 170 unit residential complex “Aventura” is in the zoning review process as this newsletter is being written.  Location is Wildhorse Creek Road and Old Chesterfield Road. Also under construction is new Pfizer office and laboratory facility between Charlie Gitto’s and Ya Ya’s.  Construction completion is currently scheduled for April 2019. Shelbourne Assisted Living that will be located just west of Bishop’s Post Restaurant has recently received zoning approval. Tesla Motors has a facility under remodeling at the location of the former Kemp Auto Museum. 

Elections
Elections for council positions will be held on Tuesday, April 3. Don’t forget to get out and vote! Annual Chesterfield Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast Open to the Public Kiwanis Prayer Breakfast will be held on Thursday, April 19 at 7 AM at the Doubletree Hotel. This year’s speaker will be Gary Olson, former CEO of St. Luke’s Hospital.

Chesterfield Mall
As of this writing, we are still waiting and anticipating that the property will be offered for sale to bidders who most likely will redevelop the property. This is probably the most  frequently asked question, as residents are concerned and anxious for news of an anticipated new owner and assumed re-development. Many have asked questions that suggest the City should solicit bidders and take a more active role; however, we believe this would be counterproductive at this point. Obviously the city will have a significant role to play when the time comes and the new owner presents their re-development proposal. Meanwhile, as I’ve said before, we have no choice but to be patient. We remain in close contact with Mall management and are monitoring events as best we can, and inturn trying to keep the public informed.

Chesterfield Village Parkway Renovation (AT LAST) 
We have recently been informed (finally) by St. Louis County that work will begin at the end of February and be complete by the end of June on the northwest quadrant of Chesterfield Village Parkway. Work will consist of partial slab and curb replacement followed by placement of a new asphalt overlay over the entire section of roadway. There will also be removal of median at Swingley Ridge that will allow construction of a double left turn lane for northbound Chesterfield Parkway motorists onto westbound Swingley Ridge.

Use tax
Sales taxes are paid by consumers for goods and services that are purchased directly from a physical location (brick and mortar store). In many cases, consumers purchase items on
line or through the internet, and local sales tax is avoided. If and when taxes are collected, technically they are called a “use tax” versus a “sales tax” since the items are not being 
purchased from a traditional brick and mortar location. As more and more purchases are taking place on line, brick and mortar stores are experiencing a competitive disadvantage. Because of the fact that most municipalities depend predominately on sales taxes to pay for the municipal services that are provided, cities are also feeling the effects of increased on-line shopping. For these reasons, many municipalities, including Chesterfield will be investigating the possibility of putting a use tax on a ballot for public consideration. The purpose and intent would not be to impose additional taxes, but to replace the losses due to decreased sales tax revenues and to help our local businesses competite on a level basis. Until next time, enjoy the spring and I hope to see you out and about, please feel free to contact one of your council members or me directly if you have questions or concerns! 

Sincerely,

Mayor Bob Nation