September 1, 2021
Dear SLLIS Families,
We would like to update you on some changes that will impact SLLIS visitor parking.
As you may know, SLLIS does not own the parking lot across 19th Street from its campus. SLLIS sold this lot to the Major League Soccer Team in Fall 2019. This sale resulted in a much stronger financial position for SLLIS.
As part of the sale transaction, the MLS team agreed to allow SLLIS to park on the lot free of charge for the next 25 years. The MLS team now has plans to develop the lot into a parking garage. Although this may be challenging in the short term, ultimately, it will be a very impressive development and will give us access to more secure, covered parking for our staff and community.
Effective today, SLLIS has fewer available parking spaces in the surface lot next to the building as the MLS group has closed half of the lot for construction of the parking garage. Dismissal will continue as usual - UNLESS your preference is to park and walk up to pick up your student.
If the lot is full at dismissal and you plan to park and walk up, we recommend the following temporary parking options:
Park at a meter on Pine Street west of 19th Street or east of 18th Street. Please DO NOT park on Pine street between 18th and 19th as this will block the street and cause major delays in the dismissal process.
Park at a meter on Olive Street west of 20th or east of 18th.
Park at a meter on 18th Street.
SLLIS is working directly with the MLS group on future parking arrangements, but please be aware that we simply do not have many details at this point in time. Here are all the details that we are aware of right now:
The garage construction is estimated to take 16 months.
SLLIS will have access to replacement parking during construction and is working with the MLS representatives to determine exactly where the replacement parking will be located. It should be within several blocks of SLLIS’ facility.
SLLIS has submitted a proposal to St. Louis City to vacate (“close”) 19th Street and use it for dedicated school parking. If this is approved, SLLIS will be able to provide parking spaces adjacent to the building in addition to the replacement parking. We are waiting on the Board of Aldermen with the City to review (and hopefully approve) our proposal.
Again, details about the construction timeline and replacement parking are limited at this time. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we gain more information from the MLS group. As always, we will be proactive in communicating any updates to you. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
SLLIS Central Office Team
info@sllis.org
