Historical December 1992 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
On a recent late afternoon, Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council Executive Director Nancy Farmer reflected on her almost eight years of service to the Council.
She said that she felt her most important accomplishment was to bring Washington Heights back to the Board of Directors of the Council in an official role. Individual block units in Washington Heights are now quite strong.
The 5800-5900 DeGiverville unit is very active and concerns regarding a proposed Walgreen’s at the corner of DeGiverville and DeBaliviere strengthened the 5700 block of DeGiverville.
All geographic units in Washington Heights are now represented on the Board including Kingsbury Square and Nina Place. Farmer remarked that she particularly enjoyed being involved with the Skinker DeBaliviere Housing Corporation. Karleen Hoerr and Susie Feinberg brought a tremendous amount of expertise to the Corporation. At times, they put in 20 hours a week making it work.
It has not been easy but she learned so much from being part of it.
There has been considerable progress too. Several multi-family dwellings are being redeveloped and the Laundromat is gone.
The ranchette at the corner of Rosedale and Washington has been acquired for development as housing for the handicapped.
She has been pleased at the progress toward the revitalization of Delmar between DeBaliviere and the city limits.
The seeds were laid in 1987-1988 when a small group formed a redevelopment corporation to address Delmar and Skinker. Farmer expressed considerable pride in the SDCC.
She said it has a very good reputation.
If an action involving a neighborhood site comes before Heritage and Urban Design or the Board of Adjustment and the SDCC has not sent a letter or someone to testify, members will ask the applicant if he or she has spoken with the Council and will inquire as to the Council’s position.
The SDCC has been reasonable and consistent according to Farmer.
The Council has been able to work closely with its elected officials, especially Alderman Dan McGuire.
The Council has made effective use of the collective voice. Farmer indicated that in her new career as 64th District State Representative, she will miss her daily contact with Skinker-DeBaliviere neighbors. Frequently, people have called or dropped by because of complaints or problems but Farmer feels she has had personal relationships with these neighbors.
She wonders how the relationships will transfer as she leaves her 6010 Kingsbury office. Farmer said that a lot of her work as SDCC Director has been really gratifying.
There aren’t big victories every year but there is always some progress.
She also will miss working so closely with the various city agencies, especially Operation ConServ. Farmer reflected that she didn’t know how we all got by before Jan Waits became Skinker DeBaliviere’s ConServ officer.
She said she would also miss her immediate neighbors like Bill Christman, whose studio is next door to the SDCC office. Other neighbors departed earlier: MaryAnn Shickman retired in May and Cal Stuart moved to a job at the St. Louis Housing Authority in June.
They all ran their own shops and had a very special camaraderie that included their own Christmas luncheon. Farmer also noted that she had particularly enjoyed the special events she worked on with the West End Arts Council: the theatre productions, Art Exposed, the summer concert series.
The Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood is a very special one and Farmer offered an interrelated explanation.
The neighborhood has a wonderful location close to Forest Park and Washington University.
In addition, there is some truly great housing of a variety of types.
The location and the historic buildings lead to a diversity of people that is so important in making the neighborhood special. Farmer felt that she didn’t have that much relevant experience when she was offered the SDCC Directorship. (She didn’t even know what a house tour was!) But, Kathleen Hamilton, Karleen Hoerr, and Jim McLeod had great faith in her and believed she could learn to do the job.
They walked her through it and toughened her up. Farmer said that being Director has been a wonderful experience.
She learned things she never dreamed she would. No two days were ever alike.
It was just a constant learning experience—challenging and fun.
Original photograph caption
Nancy Farmer. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, December 1992.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1992_12.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
