Archival article — originally published in The Times of Skinker DeBaliviere, Summer 2016. By Author not credited.
Archival date note: only the issue month or season is established. The first-of-month date used for chronological indexing is not a verified publication day.
Beginning in 2012 the neighborhood undertook the Urban Design and Development Plan For The Skinker DeBaliviere Community effort to chart a course for the next few decades. Guided by H3 Studio, a national award-winning, St. Louis-based interdisciplinary design and planning firm, the plan was adopted by the SD Community Council in 2014. It had been 25 years since the last neighborhood plan was written. Given the stabilization and improvement since then, the planning and development projects in and around the neighborhood, it was an opportunity to position and envision how the community will continue to evolve over the long-term and identify steps to make that vision a reality. On June 23rd SDCC will host a refresher meeting at 6:30 pm at Grace United Methodist Church. The goal of the meeting is to inform and remind the neighborhood the contents of the plan and where we go from here. In addition the Delmar Loop Area Retail Plan and Development Strategy and Transit Oriented Development Plans for the Delmar Loop and Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Stations plans were undertaken around that time. The planning documents and presentations are available on the SD website at https://skinkerdebaliviere.wordpress.com/neighborhood-planning-initiatives/
RECAP OF PROJECT SCHEDULE:
PHASE 1.0: SITE INVESTIGATION (October 9, 2012 to November 17, 2012) included Field Surveys & Base Maps and Stakeholder Focus Group Interviews with the following “Stakeholder focus groups”:
• Saint Louis Public Schools
• Marketing & Real Estate Group
• Delmar Commercial Group
• Residential & Developers Group
• Parks, Gardens, and Open Space Group
• Aldermen of 26th & 28th Ward
• West End Neighbors
• Metro Saint Louis Transit
• DeBaliviere Place Group
• Washington University in St. Louis
PHASE 2.0: GUIDING VISION & LIVABILITY PRINCIPLES were developed through a Steering Committee and Vision & Livability Principles Public Workshop-Charrette held on Nov. 13, 2012.
PHASE 3.0: SKINKER DEBALIVIERE NEIGHBORHOOD OPTIONS were explored in meetings of the steering committee and a second public workshop-charrette held on Feb.13, 2013. Additionally, there was a Walk/Bike Audit.
PHASE 4.0: SKINKER DEBALIVIERE PLAN PREFERRED OPTION was developed through additional steering committee meetings in 2013 and a public workshop-charrette on November 19, 2013.
PHASE 5.0: FINAL URBAN DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT PLAN was completed and a final public presentation made on February 25, 2014.
ISSUES
Issues that were identified and described by participants:
1. Historical physical divisions create a Fragmented neighborhood still present today.
2. Poor internal communication and Communication, Engagement & Inclusiveness & lack of coordination with surrounding neighborhoods.
3. Major streets and MetroLink create Barriers on edges and within neighborhood.
4. Limited entrances and exits cause poor Connectivity.
5. One way streets, dead ends, and alleys inhibit cut-through traffic but result in Poor Circulation, cause speeding, and traffic flow issues.
6. Main Intersections Are Dangerous for pedestrians.
7. Edges create negative image, perceived as unsafe, do not support daily community activities.
8. Lack of diverse and viable Businesses.
9. Lack of Grocery Store.
10. Negative perception of DeBaliviere Avenue.
11. Parks and open spaces lack amenities, have poor access, and are under used.
12. Parking congestion in southwest corner. Concerns about trolley parking.
13. Hamilton School has limited interaction with residents and students in neighborhood.
14. Crime & Safety in neighborhood, Lucier park, and at MetroLink stations is an ongoing issue. Safety on Delmar is a concern.
15. Address neighborhood vacancies.
Read the original newspaper issue: Archive reader · Direct PDF fallback. Originally published in The Times of Skinker DeBaliviere, Summer 2016, pages 4.
