Historical June 1994 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
On May 18, Aldermen Irving Clay, D-26, and Daniel McGuire, D- 28, held a public hearing at the New Cote Brilliante Church of God to discuss a redevelopment plan for Delmar between city limits and DeBaliviere and including the Wabash Triangle.
This plan was developed by the Commercial Committee chaired by JoAnn Vatcha. Its members included Steve Brammeier, Loretta Lloyd, Dennis Townsend, Nat Rivers, Sam Green, and Lana Stein. Alderman Clay addressed the merits of the plan.
He said it would benefit the commercial district and the community.
It is not a punitive plan, according to Clay, but will make Delmar more productive and more inviting.
He noted the positive impact of the banners, the awnings, and the tree plantings. Clay said that this plan is “not about putting anybody out of business.” But, he remarked that “If the front looks good and attractive, people will be interested in going in.” The hearing was attended by about 70 people.
After Alderman Clay spoke, Alderman McGuire reviewed the plan with the audience point by point. Both McGuire and Clay thanked The Times which provided a complete copy of the plan in its May issue. Participants used their copies of The Times to follow McGuire’s discussion.
The plan for Delmar contains a number of prohibited uses. Alderman McGuire emphasized that this was for new use only.
If someone had a business whose use would now be prohibited, he could continue in operation and also sell his business to someone who could continue that use.
This is the grandfathering provision.
However, if someone buys a piece of property and wants to begin a use that is prohibited in the plan and that was not in effect at that site at time of purchase, that will not be allowed. Questions were raised about the eminent domain section of the plan.
Some business owners were worried about someone acquiring the redevelopment rights to their property and forcing them to leave. Alderman McGuire explained that an owner who is making a good faith effort to keep up his or her property can be exempted by complying with the urban design, signage, and parking provisions of the redevelopment plan. Aldermen Clay and McGuire assured their audience that this tool in no way implied wholesale displacement; this is not urban renewal. Owners can assure themselves of redevelopment rights by conforming to the plan in terms of the three components cited above. Alderman Clay had said that the time was right to approach the enhancement of Delmar. Alderman McGuire concurred. Commercial Committee Chair Vatcha noted that improvements to Delmar would benefit all surrounding residents.
The next step for this plan is a hearing to be held by the aldermanic Housing Committee on June 15, 1994.
The hearing is scheduled to take place at 10:00am. in the Samuel Kennedy Room (room 208) at City Hall.
For more information, call Alderman Clay or Alderman McGuire at the Board of Aldermen at 622-3287 or SDCC at 862-5122.
The public is welcome to attend.
Original photograph caption
New Cote Brilliante’s minister, Mikki Merritt, 28th Ward Alderman Dan McGuire, and26th Ward Alderman Irving Clay. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June 1994.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1994_06.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
