Historical November 1997 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Welcome and Introductions: In Gary Hayes’ absence, Vice President Sara Smith called the meeting to order. Sara introduced Dr. Paula Sigman of Archway Communities, Joe Fank and Jill Claybour of CDA, Gary Robertson of U-N-1 Properties and Robertson’s Furniture and Appliance, and Marian Moore of Marian’s Cafe. Gary Robertson announced that he has acquired the building on the corner of Delmar and Hamilton that was formerly Fred’s Liquor Store. Marion Moore of Marian’s Cafe will be his lead tenant.
He has plans to put in an asphalt parking lot behind his building. Marian Moore plans to operate a restaurant called St. Louis Rib Company, comparable to Kansas City’s Gates Barbecue.
It will offer sit down and carry-out services with beer and wine served by the glass.
There will be no carry-out liquor.
The proposed closing time for the restaurant is 11:30 p.m. and 12:00 midnight for the banquet hall at the latest.
There will be outdoor seating.
The restaurant may be open by Halloween. Gary’s building has four storefronts; the restaurant will occupy the middle two (2).
The corner slot will initially be used as his company’s office.
There was a brief question and answer period.
It was requested that the Council be kept informed on the liquor license application. CDA Update on Nina Place: Joe Fank of CDA explained what will happen with the Nina Place/Kingsbury properties in the next several months.
The building at 5938 Kingsbury was condemned by the city a year ago.
He stated that Alderman Dan McGuire has requested that the Building Division determine the feasibility of rehabs or possibly condemning the building at 5946 Kingsbury.
If federal funds are used, it will have to go through the 106 review.
The Heritage and Urban Design Commission is preparing a Memorandum Agreement with the State.
A structural engineer will review the status of the buildings as part of the memorandum.
The Memorandum Agreement will most probably go out in a week or two. Presently Alderman Dan McGuire has on his desk a draft request for proposals (RFP) with respect to the properties at 5899 Nina Place and 5921 Kingsbury.
They are looking for a developer or developers to submit proposals for those sites. 5899 is to be condominiums and 5921 can be either condominium or rental. Part of the RFP with respect to the vacant properties to the east of 5899 Nina Place requires the developer to acquire those and landscape them for off-street parking, probably with a security fence to the west of that property, and the same will hold true for 5921 Kingsbury.
The developer will have to acquire the vacant property to the east and tie that in with off street parking.
The company conducting the asbestos inspection of the two (2) buildings on Kingsbury found the properties to be hazardous, and would not allow their people to physically go into the buildings.
The RFP will be issued within a week.
The respondents will have at least 30 days to submit proposals. CDA needs another thirty(30) days to review the proposal.
It was requested that the council be kept abreast of what’s going on, that the neighborhood be involved in the selection of a developer and plan. Guests: Dr. Paula Sigman, Executive Director, Archway Communities, spoke briefly about the facility, which is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center located on Pershing at DeBaliviere.
She expressed the desire to become an active member of the SDCC. Mark Payne Graves, Executive Director of the West End Athletic Association, spoke about his program and his plans to start fall softball and basketball for the neighborhood children.
He asked the council to intercede for him in getting use of the Hamilton CEC facility about four (4) nights a week.
A council member will assist him in his efforts. Security: Officer Terry Kowalczyk reported that in comparison to 1996, the crime rate has increased this year. Auto theft, street robberies, and burglary are up.
Most street robberies are not done by strangers.
They are mostly drug related.
The burglaries are usually from garages in the 6100 blocks.
We are still experiencing automobile break ins. You can play an important role in deterring this crime. Do not leave any items in view in your car.
The Captain has assigned extra officers in areas where crime is high.
If you see activities that appear to be drug related, get a description of the automobile and passengers and call the HOT LINE number (241-COPS).
A Personal Safety and Security meeting is scheduled September 17, 1997 7:00 p.m. at the New Cote Brilliante Church. Washington University has hired unarmed watchman who are riding bicycles through the neighborhood.
They have no enforcement powers.
If they notice suspicious activity they call their dispatcher who will call the police department. Minutes: It was moved by Ann Smith Carr and seconded by Gregory Freeman that the July minutes be approved with following corrections: Gregory should be listed as an excused absence. Jane Geiler should be listed as present. Finance: Ann Smith Can., the treasurer reviewed the financial reports for July and August.
It would be helpful to collect funds committed by our institutional members because we are near the year’s end.
An explanation was given by the Executive Director about the office expense for the month of August. and also the CDA figures.
It was moved by Gregory Freeman and seconded by Ruth Johnson to accept the financial report. Executive Directors Report: A lot of work is in progress now. Since our last meeting the Forest Park Advisory Committee has had to address the question of access to Forest Park.
We had the opportunity to request that they defer their decision about the golf course, and related access to the park, the path passive space etc. to CDC and that CDC hold a public hearing on that topic. Dan Schesch spoke on why the Forest Park Master Plan is of interest to the neighborhood.
He explained details of the Forest Park Master Plan Design. Drawings were passed around for viewing.
There was a discussion on the pros and cons of the path, buffer zone, golf course etc. Lana Stein moved and Gregory Freeman seconded the following: The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council urges the Community Development Commission to include a path from DesPeres and Lindell to the Grand Basin and buffer space along the northern edge of Forest Park between Skinker and DeBaliviere.
We want to ensure that Skinker DeBaliviere residents enjoy pedestrians access to the park in keeping with the Master Plan goal of increasing access for neighborhoods. Ann Smith Carr suggested that along with passing the motion, we have the Executive Director forward it to the CDC in advance, so that they will know that they have to deal with us. MetroLink: Paul Hohmann, MetroLink Advisory Committee Chairperson will attend the hearing.
A discussion took place regarding the council taking a position on the MetroLink route vs not taking a position.
After much debate the following motion was made by Lana Stein and seconded by Lara Doyle: Council recommends to our elected representatives. 1.vhatever decision is made, take into account the special and unique integrity of the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood.
There was a discussion on the motion.
After discussion, Gregory Freeman called the question which was passed.
The motion passed.
The resolution made by Lana Stein was then approved.
A show of hands was required.
The motion was approved with one(1) abstention.
The executive director is to communicate this to the mayor’s office. Gary Boehnke, Project Administrator with the Housing Corporation was introduced. Gary talked about his background, and gave a brief report status and on the recent acquisition of properties in the area. Neighborhood Services/Beautification: The neighborhood garden won an award for best new garden from Gateway Greening.
It was mentioned and pictured in the Missouri Botanical Gardens magazine.
A picture was in the Post Dispatch Life Style Section.
The award prize was 150 plants. Volunteers planted the flowers. Planning is being done for a new community vegetable garden near Hamilton School.
It was noted by a neighbor that trees in the area are not being maintained by the city.
The NSO will check into this matter. Social Services: A meeting was held to determine the needs of the community. One item addressed was the need to help older people in the neighborhood get their snow shoveled in the winter.
A notice will be put in the Times announcing that a group has been formed to try to get together when there is a snowfall to shovel walks. Washington Heights: A detailed written report of the West End Community Picnic was submitted by Shirley Polk. National Night Out was successful. Ronie Haliburton commented on 5800 DeGiverville’s party which has received an award. Gregory Freeman is on a committee for Bi-State that is working on choosing consultants to plan the MetroLink Forest Park Station park-n-ride improvements. Kingsbury Square: The Council was thanked for sending a letter to Bi-State. Alderman McGuire was thanked for his assistance. Grace Methodist Church: Grace officers have met with Alan Hamilton and Washington University regarding parking lot.
There is a possibility that it will be sold to Washington University, and combined with the Sinclair lot to make one lot. Other Business: Food Drive will take place October 4, 1997. Information will go out soon. Holiday Open House will take place December 18, 1997 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Gregory Freeman expressed his gratitude to Alderman McGuire for his work with the Council and wished him the best of luck. Ann Smith Carr then made the motion and Gregory Freeman seconded that the Council congratulate Alderman McGuire on his new position as Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry and express gratitude to him for his many years of dedicated support.
The motion was approved.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1997.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed opening calls vice president Sara Smith; subsequent records say Sara Johnson. Source name preserved,not silently reassigned.; Holiday open-house hours differ from dedicated notice.
Original source: SD_Times1997_11.pdf, printed page(s) 6, 7; PDF page(s) 6, 7.
