5 Ideas for Fenton's Vacant Chrysler Site

By Chad Garrison Mon., Sep. 24 2012 at 11:05 AM

Last month Daily RFT examined a Facebook campaign that seeks to bring an IKEA to the 295 acres in Fenton that -- until 2009 -- was home to a Chrysler plant. As we confirmed from IKEA, the former site of the automaker (above) is too big for one of its stores.

So what might this prime real estate along Interstate 44 be used for? Daily RFT did some brainstorming and came up with the following five suggestions:

5. Hopeville II

Rev. Larry Rice (above) can't find anywhere to set up his homeless camp. He's not wanted in the city. He's not wanted in north county. So why not Fenton? It's got a lot going for it: The land is cleared and flat -- perfect for pitching tents. It's also a long way away from residents who might complain. And the Chrysler site has a water feature! The Meramec River borders one end of the property -- sort of like the Hopeville camp along the Mississippi River that St. Louis officials dismantled last spring.

Tags:

Chrysler, Fenton, Ikea, Larry Rice, St. Louis Rams

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sheepy

5. IKEA store

4. IKEA store

3. IKEA store

2. IKEA store

1. IKEA store for the win!

I hate that 5 hour drive to Chicago just to shop.

egolterman topcommenter

In the sprit of 'regionalism' which is 'how much money the County can be made to

pour into the City' a nice turnaround would be for the Lambs to move to Fenton. Mr. Kroenke builds the stadium out of pocket-change. The County would use some of the tax money to pay off the bonds for Dome 1, which it never should have taken on, and may be to pay off Busch Stadium- 3 bonds, which it never should have taken on. Instead of public funding for Dome 2 and Arch 2015, the City concentrates on fixing its collapsing infrastructure.

Mike Schwab

Not enough paying fans for the track on the Illinois side to keep it open.

advancedevolution

Every time I pass by this site I try to imagine what would work. One idea I had was for public green houses and a garden space or even a new city park like Forrest Park.