Historical September 2014 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
SDCC Executive Director Liz Pund reports that SDCC has received and is currently reviewing a draft of H3 Studio’s final Skinker DeBaliviere Urban Design & Development Plan report.
The master planning process was started in 2012 to bring the neighborhood together around creating a shared vision for Skinker DeBaliviere’s next 20-30 years.
The process included 5 public meetings, a building survey, a walkability survey, and many steering committee meetings.
The plan is expected to be complete by the end of 2014. Once the plan is adopted by the SDCC board, tentatively scheduled for the October 13 meeting, the process will begin to have the City of St. Louis adopt it as the official neighborhood plan. Documents from the planning process can be viewed on SDCC’s website, www.skinker-debaliviere. com, under “Planning Initiatives.” Comments from neighbors are encouraged. SDCC also reports that, as part of the SDCC’s long-term planning, in May 2014, the SDCC established a Fund Development Committee to examine its long-term revenue sources and projected expenses. Fund Development Committee members include: Cheryl Adelstein (chair), Beth Bender, Gayle Evans, Marquisha Lawrence, and Mary Pat O’Gorman. Liz reports that SDCC took this proactive step in order to identify funding gaps and prepare for proposed changes to how one of the long-time funding sources, the Community Development Block Grant, distributes funds to neighborhood-based projects. Instead of being allocated equally by ward, these funds are now being distributed through a citywide proposal process that scores applications against specific activities that are eligible for funding that particular year. SDCC’s work benefits the neighborhood in many ways including hosting community events, coordinating residentled committees, and facilitating neighborhood planning initiatives – however, most of these activities are not expected to be eligible for CDBG funding in the future.
The committee presented its report to the SDCC Board of Directors at the August 11 board meeting.
While the committee believes that existing revenues could be enhanced, such as the Membership Dues, Friends Campaign, and existing special events, it also believes that these enhancements will not fill the funding gap that is anticipated after 2014.
The report concluded with the recommendation that the SDCC consider the creation of a Special Taxing District that would benefit the neighborhood.
The SDCC board voted to identify a group of people to work on the survey and petition for a special taxing district, and to seek input from neighbors prior to presenting a draft at the September board meeting.
If the Board decides to move forward with the petition, additional public engagement efforts will be held over the coming months.
The estimated 2015 SDCC budget: is $130,000, with an estimated gap if we do not receive CDBG funding of $50,000.
A special taxing district issue would appear on the March or April, 2015, ballot.
There will be public engagement before the vote to address questions such as: the proposed tax rate, the proposed use of the funds and other questions. Other questions that the TIMES expects to be asked are: would a property tax be used to augment the SDCC budget or just replace CDBG funds?
If there is a special tax, how would it affect other fundraising?
Another question will undoubtedly be how does it affect Washington Universityowned properties that do not pay property taxes.
There will be more information in the next issue of the TIMES.
In August, SDCC applied for 2015 CDBG funding through the Community Development Administration (CDA) for three eligible activities under the “public services” category: food access, elderly, and crime prevention. CDA’s funding recommendations are expected to be announced in mid-September. SDCC also reports that it will soon resume publishing minutes from its meetings on its website. Executive Director Liz Pund said, “In the meantime, feel free to call me or stop by to discuss council actions. Once we have information from CDA about the status of our 2015 application, we plan to include particulars in the TIMES.”
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 2014.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2014_09.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
