Historical February 1993 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The new year opened with a new executive director assuming the reins at the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council.
After almost 8 years of service, Nancy Farmer had departed to become our state representative in Jefferson City.
The SDCC Board of Directors authorized Catherine Forslund, its president, to chair a search committee of 9 individuals representing all parts of the area to find a new director.
After a number of meetings, many interviews, and deliberation the committee asked Kim Koenig if she would accept the position and she assented quickly. Ms. Koenig was born in St Louis and spent her very early childhood here.
Her family moved to Milwaukee when she was 5 years old.
When it came time to choose a college, Koenig returned to her roots and attended St. Louis University.
There she majored in psychology and English. Directly after graduation, she began work on a master’s degree in public administration at SLU.
Her focus in her graduate work was on problems with urban infrastructure. At this time, she also decided to make her home in St. Louis. Koening worked for Lou Berra and Associates, a consulting firm, that performed work for Operation ConServ.
She did surveying and citizen polling.
She then spent 7 months working at the St. Louis Development Corporation on the Downtown Plan.
Some of her associates at the Development Corporation told her about the opening at the SDCC. Funding has been uncertain at the Development Corporation and her tenure appeared to be limited to her work on the Plan, so she applied.
Her desire to do so was strengthened by the many good things she had heard about the leadership in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood and the continuing commitment to improvement.
She also liked the idea of being able to work with a diverse group of people, something she had enjoyed while working on the downtown plan. Koenig said that the potential success of Metrolink could have a very positive effect on the development of Skinker DeBaliviere. Koenig’s first priority item is the 50/50 grant for the Delmar commercial district.
She is working hard to get 92 trees planted and to have the banners produced and hung.
She is looking forward to working actively with the almost 20 businesses participating in this grant. She’s also concerned about Union Electric’s planned substation replacement in DeBaliviere Place and Walgreen’s desire—once again—to locate at the intersection of DeBaliviere and DeGiverville.
The new director also said she wanted to have more interaction with the block units, especially on the issue of security. She’s also looking forward to spring and the initiation of more activities for youth.
In addition, she will work closely with the West End Arts Council and the YAHOO project On a personal note, Kim Koenig is a newlywed who is learning about the joys of commuter marriage.
Her husband is a consultant for a telecommunications software company and often travels to Denver and points outside the United States. Luckily, he can also be home for extended periods of time.
Original photograph caption
Kim Koenig, new SDCC executive director. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1993.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1993_02.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
