Historical Fall 2003 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Affordable Housing Commission of the City of St. Louis has approved a $200,000 loan for the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Housing Corporation’s Alanson Building Redevelopment Project.
The three-story Alanson Building at 5888-98 Delmar, formerly housed a liquor store. Built in 1908, it will be renovated as eight residential apartments and four storefront commercial units. One commercial tenant, Marion’s Café, will be staying after rehab is complete.
The architect for the project is Karl Grice, and RG Ross is the general contractor. Of the eight residential units, four will be designated “affordable housing”, meaning the incomes of the tenants for those units must be within specific guidelines. For example, a household of two is eligible if the members earn no more than $25,500 per year.
These are deed restrictions in place for thirty years.
The funds from the AFC are available because of a new City of St. Louis ordinance that was passed by voters in 2001 and modified by another vote in 2002. Up to $ 5 Million per year is available to the AFC from this tax, which is collected from purchasers of goods from outside the state of Missouri.
The mission of the Affordable Housing Commission is to promote City living and neighborhood stabilization through the preservation and production of affordable, accessible housing and support services that enhance the quality of life for those in need.
In addition to the loan from the Affordable Housing Commission, this $ 2.6 million redevelopment project is being financed with tax -exempt bonds, Federal and State Historic Preservation and Missouri’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Gary Boehnke, Executive Director of SDCHC, said that the housing corporation hopes that rehabilitating the highly visible building will accomplish several objectives, including supporting the historic character of the neighborhood and providing quality housing to ensure continued diversity.
The commissioners also hope that the project will spark further revitalization at the Hamilton/Delmar intersection. Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Housing Corporation, a Missouri not-for-profit corporation, has served the community since 1988. Owner of the Rosedale Square Apartments, the housing corporation has redeveloped dozens of rental and forsale housing.
The organization is located at 6008 Kingsbury, also home to the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council. Current members of the Board of Directors are: President Richard Wilkes, Steve Cramer, Harriet Hubbard, Jennifer Olmstead, Chris Manzo, Joe Keaveney, George Johannes, Nancy Hohmann, Karleen Hoerr, and exofficio member Gary Boehnke.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Fall 2003.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2003_09.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 7; PDF page(s) 1, 7.
