Historical April–May 2004 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Just a year ago, an important step forward in financing future improvements on Delmar was taken when eligible voters in the existing district approved the expansion of the “East Loop Parkview Gardens Special Business District”.
The previous boundaries were from Skinker to the City Limits, Delmar to Olive.
The SBD now covers Delmar all the way to DeBaliviere, and includes the area from Rosedale to Olive and to the City Limits, including most of the Delmar Link Redevelopment Area.
In addition to the expansion of the boundaries, the district now levies a special tax of $ .85 per $ 100 valuation on all real property in the district, in addition to a level already in place of an additional fee set at 50% of the Business License fee levied by the City of St. Louis. Together, the fee and the special tax will provide funding in future years to provide and maintain extra services such as promotional events, lighting and more.
There are seven commissioners, appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Board of Aldermen.
In addition, new officers have been elected by the group: President Dave Mastin of St. Louis Design Alliance (6104 Delmar), Vice President Joe Edwards, Secretary Leslie Christian-Wilson of Diversity Gallery (6161 Delmar), Treasurer Mike Giger of Parkview Gardens Association.
The other commissioners are: Loretta Lloyd of Sunshine Academy (5955 Delmar), Mike Weiss, Big Shark Bicycle (6159 Delmar), and Neal Shapiro, Original Cast Lighting (6120 Delmar). Of the 7, 5 must be owners of real property and 2 must be renters within the district. At start-up and for the period of construction, there have been separate meetings, but the group now meets cooperatively with the U City Loop Special Business District and will hold separate meetings a few times a year.
A budget must be published annually and submitted to the Board of Aldermen by the first of November for the following year’s budget. Among their powers are to cooperate with other public agencies and industries and business; entering into agreements, including contracts for insurance; accepting gifts, grants, loan and contributions from government agencies, individuals, partnerships, corporations; and employing staff and/or independent contractors for assistance.
The members of the Board of Commissioners serve without compensation of any kind and must file an Annual Report. Although the body may use funds collected for additional services, the City cannot decrease the level of municipally funded services unless services are being decreased throughout the City and cannot discriminate in the provision of new municipally funded services.
The two Special Business District groups meet together at Blueberry Hill on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. For more information on the upcoming activities, contact Debbie Murphy at 727-8000 or by e-mail at loopadm@ucity-loop. com.
She will be coordinating the activities in the Loop for some time and will be an asset to the newly expanded “East Loop Parkview Gardens Special Business District.” The commissioners and new President Dave Mastin, who previously served as president of the Delmar Business Association, also work closely with the Delmar Commercial Committee to maintain communication and seek the input of neighborhood residents and businesses alike in planning the future activity of the SBD.
To reach Dave Mastin, call St. Louis Design Alliance at 863-1313.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2004.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2004_04.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
