The Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council and the Commercial District Planning Committee were recently awarded grants from the City of St. Louis and Southwest Bell Telephone Company totaling $60,000. In round figures, about $7,000 will be used for banners and special events, $23,000 will be used for trees and landscaping, $30,000 will be used for matching grants to local businesses on Delmar. Eligible improvements will include sidewalks, awnings, windows and doors, landscaping, etc.
Businesses located along Delmar between Skinker and DeBaliviere, as well as those within the Wabash Industrial Triangle are invited to apply for the matching grants. A written plan and specific costs must be submitted and approved in advance of the work.
Interested business owners may contact Nancy Farmer, Executive Director of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council 862-5122.
Delmar area businessmen were informed of the new program at a luncheon meeting held recently at the Wabash Triangle Cafe. Businessmen and women who attended were:
- Dennis Townsend, Boulevard Cleaners
- Bill Schiller, Colonial Carpet
- Robert Parsons, Parsons Beauty Supply
- Brian Hayden, Attorney
- Gloria Montana, Happy Taco
- Pat Papaisilape, Thai Cafe
- Calvin Case, Wabash Triangle Cafe
- Vincent Lindwedel, Pawn Shop
- Barbara Rice, Palomino Lounge
- Gary Robertson, Robertson Furniture
- Katherine McGee, 6044 Delmar
- Lynn Tran, 6100 Delmar
- Mark Sanford, People’s Clinic
- Vincent Johnson, Johnson Realty
- Robert & Mark Greenberg, Radiant Products
Director of Urban Design for the City of St. Louis Don Royse brought along several representatives of the City’s St. Louis Development Corporation, which assists small businesses and commercial areas in the City, to learn about the neighborhood’s and Delmar business owners’ concerns and plans.
Architect Carlene Pederson presented a map of the area of Delmar between Skinker and Hodiamont marked with suitable places for trees to be planted this year. Business owners will be contacted prior to any planting, and plans are also being made for the edges of Delmar from Hodiamont to DeBaliviere. Pederson noted the importance of establishing a “vision of what Delmar might become in the future and working toward that vision.” She suggested visiting other commercial areas to clarify further what the desired outcomes for Delmar might include.
Nancy Farmer, Executive Director of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council, and the Council’s President Catherine Forslund and Vice President Lana Stern were among the 25 persons who came to the meeting. Farmer noted that the Delmar Planning Committee, which was also well represented, had included business owners Dennis Townsend of Boulevard Cleaners, and Loretta Lloyd of the Sunshine Academy. Farmer introduced intern Julie Morris, who will work this summer with the business operators on the matching grant applications.
Debra Smith presented the results of her comprehensive surveys of Delmar business owners and of nearby neighborhood residents. Among the results were the following:
- Improve the physical appearance and establish a positive image for the District.
Make it look safer; address the crime issue was the response of 34% of the business operators interviewed. Improve the public’s perception of the District; this should include edge treatments along the street’s edge, better street lighting, a pedestrian friendly atmosphere and visible signs of the City’s support through street and sidewalk repair. Fifty-three percent felt trees and flowers were the physical improvements most desired.
- Capitalize on the volume of traffic through the District.
- Vehicular: Increase curb appeal through general clean-up of properties and facade improvements, landscaping, more attractive signage and the incorporation of banners.
- Pedestrian: Increase public amenities, storefront activity for visual interest and promoting neighborhood-type businesses and services for nearby residents. Metro-Link commuters: Target the needs and interests of the 2000+ estimated daily riders.
- Target residents of adjacent neighborhoods more actively.
Resident Surveys indicate that 58% of the respondents could use business in the District, but choose not to, primarily due to building appearances and lot conditions.
- Form an organized Merchants Association specifically to address the concerns and goals of the District.
A common denominator among most successful commercial areas is the involvement of a formal Business Association to make the voices of the businesses heard.
The Residents Survey highlighted some of the reasons businesses are not better patronized and indicated ways this could be improved. For example, 2/3 of those who responded said they used specific businesses because of “convenient location.” But over half said there were other businesses they could go to but chose not to because of “dirty and unattractive building conditions” or because they “look dangerous.” Sixty-one percent said the businesses could “do something to win the residents’ business.” Forty-four percent said businesses could do that either by improving building conditions/appearances or improving the image and sense of security.
To the question “Are there types of businesses that would be detrimental to future improvements?” 44% of the residents responded “alcohol-related.” This was particularly interesting, because 58% of the business owners on Delmar felt that alcohol-related businesses (where that is their primary source of revenue) were to be discouraged. The main complaint was directed toward the results of that use, i.e., loitering, litter, late-night hangouts and broken glass. Again, both the business owners and the neighborhood residents agreed that the plan should discourage additional alcohol-dominated businesses on Delmar.
Of the specific desired physical improvements, over 67% of the surveyed neighborhood residents felt trees and plantings were first priority—again agreeing with business owners along Delmar. Over half mentioned the desirability of landscaping vacant lots as well. And a majority mentioned restaurants, more commercial retail stores, and a grocery store as desirable businesses which would help create a “positive impact on the revitalization efforts of the District.”
Developing a vision of the type of shopping activity people want to see on Delmar east of Skinker will be the goal of the expanded Businessmen’s Group in the coming months. Working together with residents from both sides of Delmar, as well as consultants from the City’s Development Corporation, the Delmar Business Owners will be forming a new association to increase communications among all the businesses and potential customers.
The Metro-Link station, now under construction, will bring the focus of the larger community on “our” Delmar in the months and years to come. Delmar business owners recognize that this is the time for action, and neighborhood residents are eager to participate. To find out how to become involved in the planning, or for information on the upcoming grant program, call Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council Executive Director Nancy Farmer, at 862-5122, or contact Charles Wilson, Jr., at 367-9726.
