Correction on the Cass Avenue Schnucks

Earlier this month we reported that Desco Group owned the Schnucks on Cass Avenue. We apologize for making the statement, because they sold the property at the end of last year. The former Schnucks is owned by a company called Allston Alliance LC, which seems to be part of our favorite inter-tangled family tree of north side speculators (let's call it the Blairmont family) as well as a more identifiable company. Allston Alliance was created on March 8, 2004. On August 11, 2005, the company's manager, Roberta M. DeFiore, filed a change in registered agents. The original agent, Clayton-based registration company CT Corporation System, was replaced by John Steffen, founder of the Pyramid Companies. The corporate address was changed to the Pyramid address at 906 Olive Street in the Frisco Building.

On December 30, 2005, the sale of the Schnucks site to Allston Alliance LLC was reported to the city assessor.

I have no idea what, if anything, this ownership situation portends for the future of the site. One might suggest "senior housing" in light of other recent Pyramid projects, but that's just, ahem, speculation. Whatever happens, hopefully development will happen within the next few years and will involve reintegration of the site into the street grid.

By the way, check out Steve Patterson's post at Urban Review today on Blairmont Associates' involvement in the 25th Ward aldermanic race last year.