Historical Summer 2016 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Since the 1970s the northwest corner of Pershing at Des Peres has been passive space.
The previous structure at that site had not survived the eroding nature of the underground River Des Peres. People have walked their dogs there; children occasionally played there; and Andy Cross planted fruit trees.
On Wednesday, May 11, the Historic District Committee met to consider how proposed new housing for that site conformed to the Historic District Ordinance.
Following this discussion, Nicole Blumner, chair of the Residential Committee, led a discussion of whether that site should be developed. Nancy Hohmann, Historic District Chair, opened the meeting by saying that Mike Daniels and his wife, Ursula Thatch, have proposed to acquire the site from the city and build 3 homes there, one for themselves. Daniels and Thatch have resided in a Nina Pl. condo for 25 years. Brent Crittenden of UIC spoke about the plans.
His company builds between 15-20 homes per year and has worked in Botanical Heights.
He wants to use brick on the proposed homes and have them fit into the lines of existing dwellings.
The site consists of 3 lots, each zoned for 3 units.
The city of St. Louis owns the land and it would be bought from the city.
There is the River Des Peres issue: The house will have to be piered.
They are working with
SCI engineering. Mary Campbell of Wash U spoke of the very extensive work needed to renovate 6000 Waterman because of the River Des Peres.
She said Daniels had used a very reputable firm and they agreed to share their findings. Neighbors had design comments.
There will be a larger house at the corner and two smaller houses to its west.
The design of the smaller houses seemed generally acceptable but there were a number of comments regarding the steps, porch, overhang and windows in the corner houses. Mr. Crittenden and Mr. Daniels said that will be reworked.
Each unit will have a garage. Nicole Blumner took over to discuss the use of the site. Several people remarked that that area was supposed to stay as green space according to the recently completed master plan (that has not yet been adopted by the city).
Some said it was the east side of DesPeres that was to be green space. Mr. Daniels noted that Chapter 7 of the plan calls for infill housing at the site. Hitch Powell noted that the plan called for buildings on the site of the McPherson Community Garden and why was that there. Ald. Krewson (D=28) said there were quite a few such inconsistencies in the plan.
There will be a meeting in June to review the plan and address this. Brandon Sterling, SDCC director, said that residents should e-mail him as to how they feel about this housing proposal.
The Council will address the matter and make its views known.
His email is brandon.sterling@skinker-debaliviere.com.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2016.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2016_06.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 4; PDF page(s) 1, 4.
