Historical November 1994 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
At its meeting on October 18, the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council heard a proposal from Alan Hamilton of the Apartment Owners Association that has been designed to improve the appearance of the neighborhood and set its borders.
He thought it would improve the attractiveness of the neighborhood if we knew exactly where the edges of Skinker DeBaliviere were and that there be a consistent identity around those edges. Main gates would be put up at three principal intersections: Waterman at Skinker, Waterman at DeBaliviere, and DesPeres at Forest Park. At every other boundary intersection, there would be a more diminutive gate.
The existing pillars at Kingsbury would fit in with this plan.
In addition, Hamilton proposed a major tree planting on the north side of the Forest Park Parkway if this were feasible.
These landscape changes would be put into place over a five year period.
The Apartment Owners Association would assume responsibility for its implementation.
They will begin raising funds for the first set of gates.
The Association will work with the Council on this plan but expects no funds from the Council for this. Major gates could cost from anywhere between $25 – 50,000. Overall, the cost might be from between $100 -200,000.
The first gate is the most expensive. Copies of it do not require a new casting so are less costly. Hamilton sees several possibilities for funding including approaching major corporations and applying for grants.
He will also look into the urban tree program. Hamilton and his association want to begin on this next spring.
He said it would be the easiest of the principal intersections to address.
There will be a visual tie to Parkview, thus joining both sides of Skinker.
Original photograph caption
Proposed entrance gate illustration. Artist not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1994.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Final paragraph says begin on this next spring without identifying the intersection; no missing phrase inferred.
Original source: SD_Times1994_11.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
