Historical Summer 2003 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
May 28 dawned dark and dreary but, once again, as festivities commenced on Delmar at the Wabash station, there was bright sunshine. At 2pm, city officials, METRO officials, activists, and others met to celebrate the imminent start to street improvements on Delmar between the Wabash Station and Skinker.
A sizeable crowd gathered. Joe Edwards served as emcee, celebrating the Delmar revitalization and the creation of great arts and entertainment district. Congressman William Lacy Clay greeted the crowd and said he was pleased to see the start of this new phase of revitalization that began 12 years ago.
He noted that former Ald. Irving Clay had made it his top priority, cosponsoring development legislation with Ald. Dan McGuire. Congressman Bill Clay helped bring in transportation funds. Private investment is really helping now too.
A free-spirited, artsy atmosphere is being created and Joe Edwards took that first bold step. Clay also noted the opening of Big Jake’s Barbe-que. Mayor Francis Slay was then introduced by Joe Edwards. Slay thanked Edwards for his vision, leadership, and resources in extending the Loop into the city. Slay noted that ten years ago the Delmar MetroLink station opened. Plans for the streetscape have been in the works for years.
These changes will improve pedestrian accessibility and enhance the appearance of the area. Slay acknowledged the help of 26th and 28th ward aldermen, University City and its mayor, Joe Adams, and both Congressmen Clay.
There is also new residential construction occurring to the north.
In addition, the 6172 Delmar building has renovated commercial and office space. Twenty-eighth ward Alderman Lyda Krewson greeted everyone.
She said work had begun on Dan McGuire’s watch with the neighborhood committee and Alderman Clay.
Now they’ve been able to put money with the vision.
This project represents a bridge of east to west, north to south. Edwards introduced former Alderman Irving Clay. Clay mentioned the new homes being built close by.
He said we have to keep working on Delmar all the way to DeBaliviere.
He said “Tell your friends and family to come down below Skinker.” Jacob Johnson, of METRO’s Board of Commissioners spoke of how transit enhances community living.
He introduced new 26th Ward Alderman Frank Williamson, Marie Fowler of the West End Community Conference, and fellow METRO Commissiones Betty Van Uum and the Rev. B. T. Rice. Ald. Williamson said this was a great thing — redeveloping the business district. Larry Salci, executive director of METRO, also spoke and mentioned the creation of a transit plaza next year, which places the station’s main entrance on Delmar. Edwards introduced the head of the Delmar Commercial Committee, “a wonderful levelheaded woman who keeps everything together,” JoAnn Vatcha.
She acknowled the presence of Mayor Adams, state Sen. Joan Bray, state rep. Barbara Fraser, and the city’s Comptroller, Darlene Green.
She then acknowled the longtime and important commitment of her committee’s members including Lana Stein, Sam Green, Dennis Townsend, Loretta (and Willis) Lloyd, SDCC Director Laure Porterfield, and Director of Arts-in-Transit Sarah Smith. Vatcha also noted Dan McGuire’s contribution to the planning, particularly his knowledge of city history and city rules.
On June 12, there will be a grand opening of the walkway created between the Pageant and the MetroLink parking lot. Attendees were then served refreshments and were able to tour the Wabash Station, eventually possibly to become a restaurant.
Original photograph caption
Dignitaries at Wabash Station for Delmar Streetscape Project groundbreaking, Jacob Johnson at podium. Photo by Lee Harris.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2003.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2003_06.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
