WINNER — Private project less than $10 million
When Larry Chapman of Seneca Commercial Real Estate was contemplating what to do in phase two of the Affton Plaza redevelopment, he was introduced to Brian Hardesty of Guerrilla Street Food. The two began brain storming ideas and landed on a food truck garden — Missouri’s first, according to officials.
After a $4.5 million investment, 9 MileGarden opened its doors at 9375 Gravois Road in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic in July 2020. The entertainment district is home to a jumbo screen used to show outdoor movies and sporting events, a permanent stage for live music, space for several food trucks and The Canteen — an all-draft bar.
Food trucks that have participated at 9 Mile Garden include BluesFired Pizza, Farmtruk, Sedara Sweets, Doggie Mac’s, Slice of the Hill and UKraft, among others.
“9 Mile Garden has quickly become the favorite hub of community activity in the south St. Louis County area known as Affton,” Chapman said. “It’s walkable, casual and a family friendly environment that caters to all ages and has made Affton a destination for food truck aficionados everywhere.”
The project was funded through the Bank of Washington, according to officials. The 9 Mile Garden development created 16jobs.
About this project
Owner/developer: Seneca CRE LLC
Contractor: BEX and Kolb Grading
Architect: Lamar Johnson Collaborative and Edin Coralic
Engineer: Stock & Associates
Interior designer: Edin Coralic and Brian Hardesty
Cost: $4.5 million
Financing: Bank of Washington
