Historical March 1988 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Minutes of the Skinker Debaliviere Community Council held February 1, 1988.
Attending: Bob Dowgwillo, Georgi Fox, Kathleen Hamilton, Toni Hayes, Karleen Hoerr, Paul Kurtz, Bob Mahon, Jim McLeod, Paul Repetto, Eddie Sanders, Neville Vatcha, Kathy Wobus, Jack Wright, Nancy Farmer.
Guests: Sgt. E. Meemer, Lt. L. Lee, 7th District Police; Alan Hamilton, Laurel Associates; Charles Mosely, CWE Journal; Linda Emerson, Breitmeyer Ministry, Grace United Methodist Church; Dr. Larry Gallamore, Pastor, Grace United Methodist Church. McLeod introduced A. Hamilton. Hamilton has managed the Laurel Apartments, Laurel at Pershing, the past three years for a group of limited partners.
The project has had problems, in part because adjacent projects have not developed as quickly as anticipated. Hamilton has agreed to take over the limited partnership with the help of a loan from CDA.
He requests SDCC endorse his request for this loan in the amount of $30,000.
The loan will help keep the project in operation, and, he hopes, to stabilize it for a couple of years.
He looks forward, especially, to Nina Place being well underway by then.
Questions and discussion followed: Does SDCC enter a Neighborhood Agreement with this endorsement? Yes. Will Hamilton list SDCC as an additional insured on his liability coverage? Yes.
Is the loan forgiven if the project is sold? No.
The loan is due when the project is sold, or, in 25 years.
Will the project be converted to condos? No; the 25 units will remain rental.
The rehab of this project is good quality; it was an earlier project of City Equity.
While they are physically very nice units, they are tucked away, low profile, in an area that has some problems. Hamilton wants to keep the project going and needs this loan to do it. Occupancy is the problem; there are currently seven vacant units. Occupancy of rental units metro-wide is running about 80%; this project averages 70%. Kurtz moved that SDCC endorse this loan request pending a review of the Council’s legal liability. Second by Repetto and approved. McLeod introduced Linda Emerson, Breitmeyer Ministry, Grace United Methodist Church. Emerson explained Breitmeyer is a sponsor of the annual summer day camp which SDCC supports with a SLATE contract to employ teenagers. SDCC also co-sponsored a Christmas party for neighborhood children in December with Breitmeyer.
The Breitmeyer Ministry was founded and named for a former organist at the church.
When Douglas Breitmeyer, only in his mid-forties, died in 1973, members of Grace founded the community ministry in his name.
With proceeds from their endowment and fund raisers, Breitmeyer employs Emerson 30 hours a week. Emerson plans a day camp again this summer.
The cooperative effort of several institutions for the day camp last year was a little confusing.
There were 122 children; the camp was divided between two sites; there were 16 SLATE workers—in short, it was difficult for everyone to manage.
This year, Delmar Baptist is independently sponsoring a twoweek vacation Bible School, and Breitmeyer is planning an eight-week camp with lower enrollment. Emerson plans to serve neighborhood children first; last year, up to 70% of the enrollment was from outside the area.
The camp will run 8:30-4:30, Monday-Friday.
Tuition will be $100-$120, with a 10% discount for additional children from the same family.
The camp will serve children 5-13 years old and begin mid-June, ending mid-August. Emerson will direct the camp; a second fulltime employee will be requested from Metro Ministries. Emerson asked if SDCC will contract with SLATE for 7-8 youth workers and one full-time supervisor to work at the camp. What is the role of SDCC? Administrative, primarily related to SLATE contract. Kurtz moved SDCC support the camp by contracting with SLATE and that we fund a scholarship for a neighborhood child to participate. Second by Hoerr and approved. Emerson outlined other neighborhood program plans: Valentine Dance, 2/12, 8-12 p.m., $5 per person. Easter Egg Hunt in March and Neighborhood Carnival in August. Dowgwillo commented Rosedale sponsors Rags to Riches in early September, maybe the Carnival could be held in conjunction with yard sale day. Breitmeyer also has an ongoing job referral service, matching individuals looking for work with employers who contact the office looking for workers.
It has been very successful; most of the work is temporary, but Pantheon has hired five of Emerson’s referrals. Emerson checks references, etc.
The service is growing and has great potential. G. Fox commented she looks forward to Emerson working with SDCC’s social service committee.
The committee can be a good resource for some of these programs. McLeod introduced Lt. Lee and Sgt. Messmer from 7th District Police. Lt. Lee was the first officer to arrive at the scene of the recent robbery/homicide at Talayna’s. Lee related his experience that evening and summarized the subsequent investigation.
He reported the homicide division has good information and good leads in the case. Discussion followed about the size of our precinct, the number’of police in the area, and the incidents of crime at that corner. Farmer reported that Mike Faille, owner of Talayna’s, plans to install additional lighting on the outside of his building and employ a security guard from dusk to closing. Repetto suggested that the
Skinker Planning Committee would be the appropriate body to follow up with Talayna’s. McLeod asked if the committee would do so.
Skinker Planning CommitteeRepetto reviewed the history of the parking problem that affects Grace Church, the Skinker Place Apartments, the neighbors in Parkview, and on 6100 McPherson.
While there was a verbal agreement between the church and the apartment management allowing tenants to use the church’s parking lot on McPherson, there was never a formal agreement until recently. Repetto presented plans for the expansion of the parking lot, south toward the street.
By expanding the lot and closing the alley entrance/exit, the number of spaces is increased from 29 to 42. McPherson traffic will be two-way between the parking lot entrance and Skinker. Grace will pay for the cost of the expansion and, in turn, lease 13 spaces to the Skinker Place Apartment Building. Neighbors immediately adjacent to the parking lot have met and approved these plans, as have the
Parkview Agents and the full Skinker Planning committee. Residents of 6100 McPherson and Kingsbury were informed of these plans in writing and invited to review them with Repetto, Alderman McGuire and other committee representatives. Grace Church has unanimously approved the plan. Repetto asked SDCC to approve the plan. Kurtz moved SDCC approve the plan for the expansion of Grace United Methodist Church’s parking lot, at 6181-85 McPherson, as presented. Second by B. Mahon and approved. McLeod commented this plan is a good example of how institutions, associations, and businesses can work together.
He commented that Repetto’s concise presentation of the plan belied the many hours of meetings and work that went into it. McLeod thanked Repetto and all the others involved for their efforts.
Home Improvement Loan Committee—McLeod reported the proposal to the Neighborhood Assistance Program has been approved for 1988.
Social Service Committee—Fox reported the committee will compile a list of the institutions and what services they provide in the neighborhood.
The committee asked Kalimba Kindell, director of Hamilton Community School, to prepare a list of the school’s needs.
The committee will consider organizing volunteers to help with tutoring in the GED classes where current student-teacher ratio is 20:1.
The committee is still finding out who needs what, and who is doing what. Discussion followed about the need for programs and activities for children.
Rosedale Neighborhood Association—Dowgwillo reported the first mailing of new neighbor packets were sent last week.
The packet included: Good Neighbor Guide, auto theft pamphlet, a Safe Street pamphlet, SDCC brochure, and a cover letter. Packets were sent to property managers in hopes they will reproduce them for new tenants.
The next Rosedale meeting will be held midMarch. Rosedale is accepting nominations for officers; elections are scheduled for May.
Parkview Agents—Mahon reported the Agents have developed a six-year plan for capital improvements in the subdivision including resurfacing streets and sidewalk repair. Implementation is contingent on approval of an increase in assessments.
He added there is an engineering problem with the street lights in Parkview which has not been solved. Wells Fargo continues to provide security in Parkview; crime is down across the board and the Fargo guards are responsible for three arrests in University City.
Director’s Report
People’s Clinic, 5701 Delmar, has requested a letter of support from SDCC for their grant application to the Urban Health Initiative. Kurtz moved SDCC write a letter of support for their application; second by K. Hamilton and approved. _
Rosedale Square—Foreclosure took place Jan. 21 and 26. HUD, who had guaranteed the loan, now holds the title to the property. HUD has contracted with Shirley Chism to manage the project during the interim period while the buildings are appraised and sold.
CDA/St. Louis Centre special event, March 26—As suggested at the last meeting, Farmer contacted the Central West End Association and Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation; they are interested in sponsoring a large booth for the event together with SDCC and possibly the West End Neighborhood Arts Council.
The day-long event will feature displays by neighborhood organizations, housing corporations, city agencies, and cultural institutions, with the goal of promoting City life.
Edward’s Lounge/Liquor Store—The second protest hearing on his 3 a.m. liquor license application was January 22. Mr. Edwards had neither a majority of first floor tenants of property owners’ signatures, but it was very close.
There is precedent for having an ordinance which prohibits 3 a.m. liquor licenses within specific boundaries, e.g. the Central West End has such a law. Directors might consult with constituents to see if such an ordinance might be appropriate here. Directors requested Farmer pursue this with Alderman McGuire.
Property Manager’s Association—T. Cohn of Forest Park Investment, called Farmer with the idea of forming an association of property managers in Skinker DeBaliviere, which would have the primary goal of marketing and promoting the neighborhood. Both Shaw neighborhood and DeSales have such associations.
The timing is good considering the March event at St. Louis Centre. Cohn asked SDCC for assistance at this preliminary stage to find out if there’s interest in forming such an association, how it could be structured, etc. Fox moved SDCC proceed with forming this association; second by Wobus and approved.
Dinner Theatre—A small group met with Rita Sweets two weeks ago and will meet again Wednesday night.
The major obstacle is finding a place to hold it: New City is not available until mid-May, Crossroads’ auditorium is not big enough.
The two suggestions right now are Center of Contemporary Arts and the Sheldon.
It has been suggested also, that the dinner be dropped; following the performance there would be cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
M.L. King Commemoration-150 to 200 attended; it was a great program.
7th District Public Affairs meeting—The agenda tomorrow evening is open group discussion about problems and concerns of residents in the district; Lt. Reese will lead the discussion: 7 p.m. at 7th District Station, 5240 Enright.
Meeting adjourned 10:00 p.m.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1988.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Minutes first spell police guest Meemer and later Messmer; preserve both source forms pending name verification. Breathmeyer/Breitmayer variants across issues not harmonized.
Original source: SD_Times1988_03.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
