Historical June–August 2000 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In Attendance: President Dan Schesch, Directors Lara Doyle, Peggy Droege, Sharon Fitzgibbons, Georgi Fox, Greg Freeman, Amy Gill, Steve Givens, Larry Isom, Ronie Haliburton, Gary L. Hayes, Gwen LaZard, Susan Littlefield, Shirley Polk, Lana Stein, Katrina Stierholz, John Thomas. In-Coming Directors: Joe Keaveny, Tim Schoemehl, Sole Van Emden. Guests: Bill Colbert (alt), Andy Cross (Beautification Committee), John Daniel (Catlin Tract), Ted Haynes, Paul Hohmann (Vice President, Rosedale), Lyda Krewson, Terry Kowalczyk (SLPD), Eric Mumford (Block Captain, 6100 Westminster),Rachelle Schneider, John Van Emden. Staff: Gary Boehnke (Housing Corporation Project Administrator), Laure Porterfield (SDCC Executive Director). Absent: Ann Smith Carr, Shashi Kara, Rev. Miki Merritt. Meeting called to order at 7:09 p.m. by President Dan Schesch. Welcome and Introductions: Members of Playground Committee were presented to the Board by Chairman Katrina Stierholz. President Dan Schesch asked the Board to recognize and congratulate them for their efforts. Thanks to all who work so very hard. Resolution proposed by Lana Stein, seconded by Greg Freeman, and passed unanimously for a special certificate to be presented to all committee members at the Playground dedication. Minutes were approved as corrected. Presentations: 1. Newton McCoy and Mary Davidson are moving their law office to 621 North Skinker (the old Boys to Men clothing store). Plans presented have passed through preliminary review by the Commercial District Committee, the Building Division, and the Heritage Commission. Newton and Mary requested a letter of endorsement from the Council. Motion made, seconded and passed unanimously to endorse plans as presented. 2. Operation Team Sweep. Mary Brown, block captain, 59XX DeGiverville;introduced Team Sweep members to the Board.
The program is sponsored by the City to cleanup neigh borhoods using neighborhood youth.
The kids keep the area around Hamilton School picked up. Any one wishing to help, please come out Friday evenings 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Security Report presented by P.O. Terry Kowalczyk – Overall, crime is down25% in the 7th District. Car breakins occurred on 6100 blocks of Waterman and Westminster. Arrest made. Investigation and arrests made on license tab thief. Continue to call – 911 about suspicious activity. Washington University reported a car jacking on Forsyth. Problem house on 6100 block of Washington. Police will talk to owner. Treasurer’s Report presented by Peggy Droege. Income section shows $2000gift from liberty Mutual Insurance, which Laure requested as a general contribution to cover our operating expenses.
Also income from address signs and garden fees. Expenses are in line. Still investigating phone and bookkeeping service. Motion made to accept the report. Passed. Executive Committee Report made by President Dan Schesch. Dan asked Rachelle Schneider to report on the Forest Park Advisory Board Meeting. Golf course is the next major project and new a clubhouse to follow. Paul Hohmann reported on meeting to discuss the Lindell cut-off to northbound Union. Will put stop sign at the end of the cut-off and remove the always green arrow. Alderman Lyda Krewson reported on restoring a left turn from DeBaliviere to Lindell. Preference goes to ped/biker: “no left turn” will remain.
This decision can be reversed. Lengthy discussion of Forest Park Master Plan and the impact on the neighborhood.
Some contend that there still is no neighborhood input.
The Board should follow up (by letter) regarding the left turn question six months after construction is completed.
The Alderman asked for the neighbors’ patience.
A letter was received from the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Housing Corporation (in packet) regarding the importance of Code Enforcement and stating their support for beginning as soon as possible.
The Residential Committee met May 5th to discussion code enforcement. Trying to come up with a program to present in June. Next meeting of the committee to be announced. Contact Laure if you’d like to attend. Dan also reported on his meeting with Washington University Chancellor Mark Wrighton in April 2000.
He asked Steve Givens to summarize the planned changes to the campus. At the east end of campus, construction to begin.
The University population will remain stable. Increased parking spaces will be built around Brookings Hall. Within ten years the campus will be built out to parking lot on Skinker and Lindell at Millbrook.
The house on Lindell and the corner property will replace the play area on which the new building will encroach.
There will still be a passive green space. 6181Lindell has been purchased and will be demolished. Possible underground parking on campus. Developing small group student housing with 400 car garage at the old Channel 9 site. Old MSD sewer lines to be replaced near Millbrook and Skinker- look for construction. Regarding the Arthur Building site: concept design shows retail, campus police and administration. Forsyth near Bixby is zoned residential (now parking and Bixby Hall) and the University will need permits to build. Purchasing 72 buildings in University City north of Delmar. Amy Gill announced that there is a Rosedale Neighbors meeting June 10 (9:30a.m.) at St. Roch Church Hall to discuss the University’s expanding presence in the neighborhood.
There is a perceived shift from graduate students to undergraduates in the neighborhood. Loss of tax revenues a big issue; compensation to the city has not been brought forward. “Right of first refusal” discussed in detail. Amy Gill moved and Lana Stein seconded that the Board should present a letter requesting the University to discontinue this practice. Passed unanimously (with Washington University representative abstaining.) Annual Skinker DeBaliviere meeting TBA. Executive Director’s Report was enclosed in the packet. Report presented by Laure Porterfield. Highlights of the written report include: A.
A grant application for marketing dollars to assist development on Delmar has been submitted to Firstar Bank at the request of this District Committee. Fierce competition for few dollars. Will keep Council posted. B. Christmas in April 2001. Have contacted them to request information and applications. Exterior and interior improvement are included in this program C. Century Homes- have requested information from other municipalities D. BrightSide follow up; congratulations to Andy Cross and thanks to all who helped. E. Playground: will continue to provide staff support for the project; construction to begin soon. F. Housing Corporation Report presented by Gary Boehnke Written reports and minutes included in the packets. Rehab here moving along to be finished in June. Importance of regular code enforcement stressed in recent letter to the Board. Committee/Neighborhood Reports A. Fundraising – Katrina will chair National Night Out. Board members are invited to attend dedication of the playground. Garden Tour coming along. Focus on gardens around block 1035 Garden. Tour slated for June 17th. B. Residential Committee – Lana Stein advised the Board that she is working on Code Enforcement information packets. Thanks to Larry Isom for his help. Nina Place townhomes: all three phases meet Heritage standards. New construction in old neighborhoods is not to replicate instead to compliment older design.
According to Missouri guidelines, new construction cannot be identical to historic buildings. Anyone with further concerns asked to speak directly with Gary Bierman. C. Playground report presented by Katrina Stierholz.
All contracts signed. Hopefully construction will be completed by August 1 and ribbon cutting can be part of National Night Out. D. Beautification – Chairman Andy Cross asked those present sign up to water Four Corners. Planted hundreds of flowers from great perennial divide. 1035 Garden getting ready for tour on June 17. E. Transportation Committee reported by Paul Hohmann. John and Sole Van Emden our neighborhood representatives on the committee, continue to meet with Bi-State. Still cannot answer neighborhood concerns.
There will be changes at Des Peres but design has not been decided. Name of station will be Skinker station. Will put up a garage at DeBaliviere (size unknown). F. Rosedale report presented by Amy Gill Election results as follows: Tim Schoemehl President Paul Hohmann Vice President Betul Ozmat Secretary Mary Ann Rudloff Treasurer Washington/ Westminster Katrina Stierholz Kingsbury/ McPherson Dan Schesch Water man/ Pershing Sole Van Emden At Large Lara Doyle New By-Laws available for Rosedale. Contact their officers or Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council office. G. Recreation Committee – John Thomas says plans are still underdevelopment for summer. Summer program info regarding TAG at Grace Church and Metro Theatre project at Crossroads School was distributed. Other business Thanks to Larry Isom and Laure Porterfield for helping with the condemned property in the 5800 block of Waterman Possible outcomes include sale or tear-down of the building.
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June–August 2000.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2000_06.pdf, printed page(s) 11; PDF page(s) 11.
