The Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council voted to submit a plan for redevelopment under the 353 program, pending approval by the Board of Aldermen.
Bill 240 under the 353 program calls for the redevelopment of the 5700 blocks and the DeBaliviere business area. After a second hearing in late February the bill is expected to be up for passage in March. If the Board of Aldermen pass the bill, organizations have six months from the date of passage to submit a redevelopment plan.
Ken Langsdorf of the St. Louis Municipal Business and Economic Development Commission told the Council that if a plan is developed it must be submitted to the Board of Aldermen by September. He advised setting up liasion with the City Planning Commission and allocating various portions of the plan to groups directly concerned. He said that the West End Businessmen Association will make some contribution to planning expenses.
Calvin Stuart, executive director, reported that a group of redevelopers who organized a major redevelopment in Chicago, Team 4, have volunteered to assist in the planning if the Council could supply funds for out-of-pocket expenses. Mr. Stuart estimated that the planning expenses would total approximately $3,000. He also stated that Washington University School of Architecture has also volunteered to help in the planning.
Bob Moore, president of the Council, showed slides of buildings in the 5700 blocks. He pointed out the considerable deterioration of the buildings since just last year. Under the 353 plan this area would be completely redeveloped.
Mrs. Sharon McPherron, Council member, reported on an inspection tour which she and Mr. Moore made of the 18 housing units owned by the Skinker-DeBaliviere Development Corporation, which was set up under the previous Council. The buildings are in an advanced state of disrepair and the finances are in the red, she reported.
Lipton Realty has won the management contract for the buildings. Mr. Stuart introduced the man who will be responsible for managing the buildings, Clarence McClure, property manager for Lipton and former relocation manager for the Land Clearance Authority in the West End. He proposed a plan of action to clean up the buildings, to collect the rent in a more effective way (13 out of the 15 tenants are delinquent) and to evict tenants who are not living up to their agreements.
In other action the Council commended Mrs. Joyce Warren, president of the Washington Heights Neighbors, for the excellent community-wide program on the 353 program sponsored by the organization.
Mr. Stuart introduced Mrs. Anna Busch, area resident, who will be the new administrative assistant and secretary for the Council offices.
The Council loaned The People’s School $100 for sewing machine repairs.
Mr. Stuart reported that area resident Dorothy Garrett has volunteered to work with the Committee of the Whole, an organization of area youth, to develop a year-round program for youth.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1971.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1971_03.pdf, printed page 1.
