After nearly five years of planning, meeting, reporting, surveying of architecture and opinion, revising and updating, the Skinker-DeBaliviere-Parkview-Catlin Tract Historic District Ordinance was finally signed into law on Friday, September 22, 1978, by Mayor James F. Conway. The Board of Aldermen passed the ordinance unanimously on September 15 following an uneventful public hearing on August 23. Cal Stuart, Executive Director of SDCC, said after the hearing, “We’ve had such good discussion and publicity here in the neighborhood there wasn’t any need to go put on a big show downtown.”
The signing of the ordinance into law took place at St. Roch’s Scariot Hall and was preceded with a reception hosted by the 28th Ward Alderman, Vincent Schoemehl, Jr. Over 150 guests representing the boards, officers and/or agents of SkipkerDeBaliviere Community Council, Rosedale Neighborhood Association, Washington Heights Neighbors, Parkview, the Catlin Tract and members of the Historic District Committee witnessed this landmark occasion. Alderman Schoemehl in his remarks to the group stated, “This evening represents the culmination of a long period of hard work by a great number of people in Skinker-DeBaliviere. Tonight is a milestone in our neighborhood’s history.”
The University City section of Parkview is working to get an enabling ordinance, modeled after the city law, passed by the U. City Council. They will then petition for Historic District Status in that city using the same standards and plans as are currently in the city of St. Louis law. There is at least one other section of U. City interested in using our ordinance as a model for its neighborhood.
A Historic District Review Committee, which is to be a standing committee of the SDCC, will be appointed. This group will monitor problems residents may have complying with the ordinance, facilitate the granting of permits should difficulties arise, and be alert for any alterations which may be needed in the law. The Council office has a list of reputable contractors and the executive director stands ready to aid all residents in their rehab or repair efforts.
The Skinker-DeBaliviere-Parkview-Catlin Tract District is the only one passed so far this aldermanic session bringing to ten the total of city neighborhoods using this method to preserve their architectural and cultural heritages.
Original photograph caption
Virgil Wright, SDCC; Mayor James Conway; and Judy Little, Historic District Committee, listen as 28th Ward Alderman Vince Schoemehl addresses the audience. The Paper, October 1978, page 1. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, October 1978.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1978_10.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
