St. John City Hall to be Renovated in 1950s Building Purchased for $795,000

Strategic Insights -

The city of St. John has acquired a former NationsBank building at 8944 St. Charles Rock Road for its new city hall, following the merger of NationsBank and Boatmen's Bank, which left a surplus of 78 buildings. The 55,000-square-foot building, constructed in the 1950s, was previously the headquarters of Community Federal Savings and Loan Association, which was bought by Boatmen's Bank in 1990. The municipality received help from a community development grant and a low-interest short-term loan from St. Johns Bank & Trust Co. in financing the $795,000 purchase.

The renovated building will house the police department and municipal court in the same location, with the court planning to use the renovated building for the first time on February 3. The current lease for the municipal court will be ended, saving the city $500,000 over the next 20 years. The renovation, which includes modifications to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, is expected to begin immediately. In addition to the city hall, the building will also feature a center for the elderly, including a dining facility, an adult-day-care center, and a Meals On Wheels program, funded by a grant from the Department of Aging and assistance from Medicare and municipal, state, and private agencies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The city of St. John purchased a former NationsBank building for $795,000, which will become the new city hall.
  • The 55,000-square-foot building, constructed in the 1950s, was previously the headquarters of Community Federal Savings and Loan Association.
  • The municipality received help from a community development grant and a low-interest short-term loan from St. Johns Bank & Trust Co. in financing the purchase.
  • The renovated building will house the police department and municipal court in the same location.
  • The court plans to use the renovated building for the first time on February 3.
  • The current lease for the municipal court will be ended, saving the city $500,000 over the next 20 years.
  • The renovation, which includes modifications to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, is expected to begin immediately.
  • The building will also feature a center for the elderly, including a dining facility, an adult-day-care center, and a Meals On Wheels program, funded by a grant from the Department of Aging and assistance from Medicare and municipal, state, and private agencies.
  • The city is planning to establish the center as a model for similar programs elsewhere in Missouri.

Statistics:

  • The city purchased the building for $795,000.
  • The 55,000-square-foot building was constructed in the 1950s.
  • The merger of NationsBank and Boatmen's Bank left a surplus of 78 buildings.
  • 13 cities have expressed interest in buying the former banks for municipal buildings, and four have done so.
  • The renovated building will include a dining facility, an adult-day-care center, and a Meals On Wheels program.
  • A grant from the Department of Aging, along with assistance from Medicare and municipal, state, and private agencies, will help establish the center.
  • The city will save $500,000 over the next 20 years by ending the lease for the municipal court.

Sources:

  • A St. Louis Post-Dispatch article
  • The St. John City Council minutes
  • A Department of Aging grant application