Historical December 1988 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Many bright new prospects for our neighborhood presented themselves to the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council (SDCC) at their November meeting. Present were Randy Bailey, Nancy Farmer, Mary Fleener. Georgi Fox, George Genung, Kathleen Hamilton, Karleen Hoerr, Marty Hussey, Paul Kurtz, Bob Mahon, Jim McLeod,’ and this reporter. Guests Alva Jacobs and Alderman Dan McGuire attended. Ms. Alva Jacobs, the new interim coordinator of Hamilton Community School, made an inspired presentation to the Board about the plans to make the school’s program an integral part of the neighborhood. Their office hours, which extend into the evening, make information, registration, and help accessible to all neighbors, no matter what their schedule.
They will mail a school brochure to neighborhood homes shortly. Hamilton will expand its curriculum to include courses such as college entrance examination preparation, tax seminars, college financial aid form completion, computer topics and successful parenting.
They also hold self-improvement, hobby and arts classes.
They are seeking out interested people from the wealth of qualified community residents to teach a variety of courses that will invite and excite neighbors to attend and broaden their horizons.
They are expanding the youth programs and hope to become an integral part of improving the lives of our area children.
One welcome addition is a planned program with the 7th District Police aimed at helping kids fight the drug problems around them. Ms. Jacobs encourages neighbors to stop by any time to visit her and see the program, make suggestions for new courses and get excited about participating in this part of city living.
The October minutes were approved with the addition of Hoerr’s comments suggesting the name “Nina Place” be on the entrance monument for DeBaliviere Place West redevelopment area.
The treasurer’s report was approved. McLeod reported that Washington University has put the proposed parking lot on the Skinker/Parkway lawn on hold for the time being.
The construction of two new campus buildings has begun and they will take up some existing lot space.
To compensate for the loss, new parking space will be constructed along the Forsyth Boulevard side of campus. Fox said that there are enough volunteers for the paper distribution at the Des Peres intersections of Waterman and the Parkway on Old Newsboy’s Day. Alderman Dan McGuire reviewed the proposed city ordinance which would require that businesses within’100 feet of a residential area have a permit to operate between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
The ordinance is being discussed with opponents and it seems probable that a compromise will be worked out. Good neighbor businesses should have no problem obtaining permits but the ordinance would allow a way for the City to deal with those which disrupt residential living.
The Board agreed to send a letter to the Board of Aldermen supporting McGuire’s efforts.
A Policemen’s Awards Banquet is still planned for early next year.
The Board approved the stop sign proposal made last month for the Laurel/Waterman/ Nina intersection to increase safety as traffic volume grows in the area with its increased redevelopment. McLeod will arrange a meeting between Washington University representatives and other parties who are concerned about Homecoming Parade trash and Thurtene Carnival location, construction, parking and clean-up. SDCC will continue to monitor the status of the Academic and Athletic Academy, also known as Little Hamilton school, on Des Peres at Westminster.
A petition for area approval may be coming around to allow Talayna’s to have a service bar for patrons only. Closing hours should be earlier if this proposal is accepted and a new license is issued. Hamilton announced that Richard Huff, director of the National Endowment for the Arts, will speak in St. Louis. St. Louis is one of the few cities in the country which receives National Endowment funding down to the neighborhood level.
There have still been some complaints about the Sunoco station, and even though the Board sent a letter expressing neighborhood concerns, another will be sent to keep these issues on the minds of the management. DIRECTOR’S REPORT The annual Community Development Agency (CDA) fiscal audit was conducted in October.
The written report had not yet been received, but Farmer expects no problems.
The Board voted to accept the proposed budget and CDA Block Grant funding at the same level which was received last year. Operation ConServ is setting up the initial 13 housing corporations.
One of the program’s main thrusts is to bring housing development, planning and control to the neighborhood level. Farmer stressed that the new corporation will be distinct from SDCC, even though it will use the SDCC office for its address.
The proposed DeBaliviere Place West entrance monument questions were happily resolved through meetings with neighbors, Hoerr, Bailey, McGuire, Farmer, condominium owners and the developer.
The monument has been scaled down below 4 feet, will be set back on the circle, and will read “Nina Place.” Before year’s end, Farmer, along with area religious and education leaders, will conduct a door to door survey to determine the number, ages and school affiliation of area children.
This information will be used by local schools and churches to help develop programs for the children. Farmer said that Karen Largen of the Grace and Peace Fellowship is in charge of organizing the 1989 Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration activities. Other area churches plan to be involved in the celebration.
The Board supports the activities and Farmer will notify Largen of SDCC backing.
There is renewed interest in forming an adult co-ed volleyball group. Hamilton Community School will offer a free winter program.
The City West Business Association welcomed two new members.
They are neighborhood resident Pat Cantwell and Freewheelin’ Bicycle owner John Bordeaux. COMMITTEE REPORTS Historic District Review: Katie Kurtz met with Kate Shea and Jan Cameron of the Heritage and Urban Design Commission. Shea and Cameron offered their help with the study of neighborhood development since the passage of the Historic District Ordinance.
A report and recommendations will be presented to the Board. Parkview: Fleener said the only news is the continuing repair work on the nonfunctioning inner circle street lights. Rosedale: Kurtz reported on the upcoming meeting. (See related article.) Christmas Walk: The Christmas Walk and other programs will be held on December 18th. (See related article.).
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, December 1988.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1988_12.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
