Welcome to Developmentopia

I had heard about the practicum position that Grand Center was offering through Saint Louis University's Spring Career Fair. (Thank you SLU!). The organization sounded exactly like what I was interested so I stopped by. Three days later I applied and several weeks (and a little anxiety) later I got the call that I was in. So excited.

My first week at Grand Center, Inc introduced me to a side of the District that after four years next door at SLU I never knew existed. I spent the morning before my first day of work in Photography lab, but I did not get much accomplished since I was anxious to get started. Once I arrived Jay and Rachel took me onthe Grand Tour. Here's the breakdown:
I discovered that the Big Brothers Big Sisters building (aka Woolworth Building) had two theatres inside and Craft Alliance which hosts SLU art classes. The Metropolitan Building, sided with the murals, is one of our last big development projects. Also, very exciting news: UMSL's KWMU plans to move in right next to KETC bringing public radio and public television together.
Around the corner I found a hidden gem of burnt-up, architecturally-unsound church, also known as Spring Church. Rachel and Jay explained to me the issues with the property getting restored ($$$$) and also the aesthetic value. I think I still fall on the side of saving it for events and art installations....We'll see.
Farther along, I saw buildings that cater to the "starving artist" with affordable studio and living space. This apartment buildings are next door to The Beaux Arts Building, which is being redeveloped as a Visual and Performing Arts School. Rounding third, we passed the Missouri Theatre Building, which will soon become the Hyatt Place Hotel and Apartments. This building is on the East side of Grand Blvd across the street from a Grass field or as some people call it "an art installation." I guess I don't quite get it...
Seeing all these buildings and organizations that I never knew about intermingled with the Fabulous Fox Theatre, The Contemporary Art Museum, and KETC makes me so honored to be the newest addition to this organization, so here we go!