Historical Fall 2010 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
At our recent meeting on August 3rd, we tossed around different ideas for this issue’s article. No real clear theme emerged but a variety of smaller ideas. So this is going to be a collection of comments about living in a historic district. 1.
If an owner is interested in painting exterior house trim, all the paint companies have collections, which are coordinated by colors. Certain historic periods have been researched and it is possible to use colors which would have been popular at the time. Driving our streets will show how various owners have used color to enhance the architectural features of their homes.
In addition, the Skinker-DeBaliviere Historic District ordinance requires that brick facades which have not been painted, remain natural brick.
However, if one has been painted in the past, and an owner wants to repaint, paint colors should match a brick color. Given St. Louis’ wide variety of brick, that doesn’t limit someone to just red. 2. Glass block is not an appropriate material to be used when visible from the street.
As mentioned in the spring article, Quadrangle Properties (Washington University) is actually removing glass block from their property at 6100 Pershing as part of an overall renovation of the building.
While it does provide security, there are other solutions. Historically, wrought iron bars were used.
In addition, there is now non-shattering glass which can be installed. 3. Prior to the district being established in the late 1970s and when the area was perceived as having crime issues, owners erected chain link fences in their front yards. Steel colored chain link, when visible from the street, is not allowed in the district.
However, it can be painted green or black to make is disappear into the landscape. Better yet, as a means to inexpensively enhance a property, an owner could remove the old fencing. 4. Venita Lake, a committee member, put together an excellent illustrated brochure explaining the historic district ordinance applicable guidelines.
It is available at the Council office; please call 862-5122 for office hours.
It was also given out with new neighbor packets.
We are meeting the second Wednesdays of each month; September 8th at 7 p.m. is our next meeting.
If anyone would like to attend and discuss a project, please call either Katie Kurtz at 496-5083 or Nancy Hohmann at 267-8887.
We meet at the Council office and meeting usually last a hour. At any time if there are questions about the guidelines or standards, please feel free to either of us.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Fall 2010.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2010_09.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
