Around the country, early members of the baby boom generation are ending their careers. So it is here in our neighborhood. Tom Hoerr, Jill McGuire, and Vince Schoemehl have announced their retirements. By the time summer is upon us, they will have embarked on a new phase of life in which they can do whatever they like whenever they like. Their contributions to our neighborhood, city and region are legion and will be noted in part below.
TOM HOERR
Tom and his wife Karleen have lived in Skinker DeBaliviere since 1976. For over 30 years now Tom has been a board member of the Times and has provided a column, In Your Ear, for every issue. He helped to set up the Skinker DeBaliviere prom and Rags to Riches not to raise money principally but to bring the community together.
In his professional life, Tom has been a leading educator in St. Louis and points domestic and foreign. In 1981, he became the director of New City School. He was previously the principal at Pershing Elementary School in University City. Tom holds a doctorate from Washington University, a masters from UMSL, and a bachelors degree from then Harris Teachers College.
New City School had been founded in 1969 by neighborhood activists who wanted a diverse, progressive school. When Tom arrived, he found a joyful environment but with academic needs. He has been fortunate to work with a very good team. Enrollment has increased by 50%, the concept of multiple intelligence is utilized, and there is a performance pay plan. The building on Lake at Waterman has been renovated and three more acres have been added to the campus. Several faculty have written articles and the school houses the nation’s first multiple intelligence library. Tom himself is the author of 4 books and numerous articles.
Tom feels strongly that to be successful you have to have lots of good people to work with and he has. New City School now has 345 students from age 3 to grade 6. They come from 50 different zip codes. The school had been conceptualized as a way to stabilize the Central West End and the city remains its nadir. New City wants to be seen as an inclusive private school. It now wants to raise $4 million to aid students. The tuition is high. Thirty-five percent of students receive need based scholarships and students of color compromise 39% of the student body.
Tom has served on the board of directors of Independent Schools and a national association for curriculum development. He has given presentations in South America, Europe, Oceana, and New Zealand.
His work at New City ends with this semester. There is a nationwide search for his successor. His impact goes beyond our area and the graduates of New City. He has played a large role in understanding how children learn. What does the future hold? Continuing to write his column hopefully and being able to read The New York Times in the morning.
JILL MCGUIRE
Jill and her husband Dan have lived in Skinker DeBaliviere for over 45 years and raised 2 sons here. Jill worked at UMSL and at Mosby after graduating from Mizzou. She joined the mayoral campaign of neighbor Vince Schoemehl and joined his administrative staff. She worked with the arts and helped to create the Regional Arts Commission (RAC) in 1985 and was selected to be director. It is a job she has held for 30 years.
She has brought great enthusiasm and skill to a wide variety of endeavors. With a dedicated hotel/restaurant tax, RAC funds artistic groups throughout the city and county. Those institutions in the zoo-museum district cannot receive funds, all others compete annually for stipends. This funding has stabilized the arts environment. Major players such as the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theatre and the Repertory Theatre have faired well. In addition, RAC has assisted smaller groups including arts councils in neighborhoods. In the past year, RAC has provided some stipends directly to artists who can then devote more time and energy to their creativity.
In company with Americans for the Arts, Jill and RAC have compiled extensive data to demonstrate the economic impact of the arts. Her work has helped to show the multiplier effect of concerts, theater, galleries on jobs and municipal income. For her, the arts are broad tent and impact us directly or indirectly.
Currently RAC is touting its new App which allows smart phone and pad owners to access information about what’s happening artswise in the metro area. RAC has also redesigned its web site.
Several years ago, RAC built its own building on Delmar in the East Loop and encourages neighborhood and community groups to use its facility. It has been the site of an SDCC board retreat and two Homecomings.
The neighborhood arts are a critical component of RAC’s activity. Its predecessor organization, the city Arts and Humanities Commission, funded neighborhood arts activity in eligible neighborhoods under the CETA program. RAC was created by a vote of the people in 1984. Many who helped with the campaign were artists who had participated in CETA-funded activity. Jill felt that RAC certainly had a responsibility to continue neighborhood-based arts activity. RAC has encouraged that activity in the city of St. Louis and in St. Louis County.
RAC created innovation grants, a large one time infusion, to allow nonprofits to take the kind of risks innovation demands. In the wake of Ferguson, RAC instituted Community Social Income Grants quickly and committed $200,000 to this purpose.
Close to home, the West End Arts Council and SDCC have received small grants to bring art-based activity to our community-building. There was the art fair and then Art Exposed. Four Corners has been an art center. There were programs for school-age kids, dinner theatre, outdoor films, and the concert series that continues.
Jill’s tireless work and consummate skill and enthusiasm have made St. Louis a cultural center. A recent survey ranked it 4th in the country.
Jill be honored on March 30 and a nationwide search is taking place for her successor. She will be a hard act to follow.
VINCE SCHOEMEHL
Vince and his wife Lois have also lived in the neighborhood for over 45 years and raised 2 sons here. His resume is extensive. He began his career of public service as 28th Ward Alderman and was then elected to 3 terms as the city’s mayor. He created numerous programs to help neighborhoods such as Brightside, SafeStreet, and Operation Impact. He brought considerable energy to the mayor’s office. Of course, there were critics but there were many supporters as well. He ran for Governor of Missouri in a much heralded campaign. After leaving the mayor’s office, he served on the school board, chaired the Metro Board, and the board at the language immersion charter schools.
His most visible post-mayoral contribution lies in his 14 year presidency of Grand Center. This midtown arts district has undergone tremendous change during his tenure and more significant activity is on the horizon. From signage to lighting, the physical appearance is different. Powell Hall, the Fox, and the Sheldon have been joined by the Contemporary Art Museum, the Pulitzer Collection, the Channel 9 building, UMSL’s KWMU location, and the newly revitalized KDHX building. A residential facility geared to artists has taken shape in a historic building. Jazz at the Bistro has renovated and expanded. More apartments are being created in a former office structure. There is a boutique hotel. Several schools now call Grand Center home and in addition many of these facilities have education components built in and have space for community gatherings. The University of Missouri School of Journalism is now doing classes in the Nine Network Building.
Grand Center development has not been a clear, straightforward path. The Great Recession delayed plans for 4-5 years. The area has 38 acres of parking lots and vacant land. Vince said there are plans to build 2 new parking garages this year which will open 5-6 acres for further development. Remediation is now occurring in the building next to Third Baptist Church. The first two floors will be commercial and there will be 10 stories of residential (108 units). Federal historic tax credits are being used. The apartments will be 800-1100 square feet and have one or two bedrooms. Young professionals are the target audience. He feels that if you like the arts, this will be the place to live.
Housing brings about greater foot traffic and a greater comfort level. In addition to those units under construction, Vince foresees 1500 additional units of housing can be absorbed within the next 5 years.
Vince acknowledged that he was not chosen as Grand Center director for his arts background. Rather, he knew the mechanics associated with urban redevelopment, was familiar with tax credits, and knew some reliable developers. Hence he was able to put the Grand Center redevelopment together. His successor will be charged with the further creation of an arts and cultural district and will need a deep appreciation of the arts and what they bring to a community.
On a personal note, I have been a symphony subscriber since 1987. At least 6 times a year and often more, I have come to Grand Center. The change is phenomenal outside and inside and I encourage everyone to check out the venues there.
It will be very hard to replace our three retirees. Their contributions are significant and, hopefully, there will be worthy successors.
