Historical April–May 2022 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
On February 15, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council (SDCC)met at 7 P. M. by Zoom. Brandon Sterling, formerly executive director of the SDCC, spoke in his current role as board president for the Delmar Main Street (DMS) initiative.
This group is asking the SDCC to establish a relationship with them, sending Executive Director Mike Reed as primary representative to their board. Other SDCC board members could participate in the organization. SDCC would agree to make an unspecified monetary contribution. DMS is affiliated with the Missouri Main Streets Connection, Inc., a not-for profit based in Branson, MO, with active projects in Laclede’s Landing and Dutchtown.
The common aim, to restore urban economic corridors, is supported on federal, state, and local levels. Delmar is identified as a local and state level priority. DMS has a three-year commitment funded by state and private sources.
It is in the process of applying to the IRS for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Goals of DMS include historic preservation, a stronger tax base, and walkable neighborhoods with mixed use and space for general life activity. Committees focus on four areas: design, covering aesthetics of buildings and spaces and security; organization; promotion, to attract both businesses and people; and creating economic vitality through support of businesses, entrepreneurship, and appropriate development. Originally aiming to revitalize the area along Delmar Boulevard from Rosedale to Kingshighway, DMS is extending this goal to Taylor.
On November 17, 2021, the group held a town hall event at St. Louis ArtWorks, 5959 Delmar Boulevard.
They seek participation from the neighborhoods of West End, Lewis Place, Skinker-DeBaliviere, Visitation Park, DeBaliviere Place, Academy, and Fountain Park. Asked how the group handles disagreements when not all members support a proposal, Mr. Sterling said that they operate by consensus. Rachelle L’Ecuyer, who both chairs the SDCC Commercial Committee and is employed as Executive Director of the East Loop CID (Community Improvement District), said that the East Loop CID is working on a memorandum of understanding with DMS.
There was consensus among the SDCC board that more information and time for consideration would be required before any decisions are made.
Lauren Tucker spoke for Odd Couples Housing, which brings together older and younger adults to share housing. Older homeowners benefit from a small rental income, increased social interaction, and continued independence in their own homes.
The younger tenant, usually a student, benefits from lower rent and learns about the community of residence. Background checks and use of references are encouraged.
The agency does follow-up checks to protect both parties. Older adults sharing their homes through the program range in age from 55 to 94, with 42 matches in the St. Louis metro area. Ms. Tucker was advised of the city ordinance limiting each residence to no more than three unrelated persons. Interested persons may call (314)925-2003.
This information will be posted on the SDCC website. Cordell Whitlock with Vector Communications spoke about plans to revamp the Steinberg Rink across from Childrens Hospital for year around use.
It currently operates from November through February. Mr. Whitlock requests that residents complete an on-line survey as to what they would like to see in the renovated facility.
A link will be listed on the SDCC website.
A project hotline number is (314)384-5858. Dan Schesch asked the SDCC to take ownership of his lot at 6001 Westminster, formerly the site of a service station, where he had planned to build senior-friendly apartments. Lead has been found in one spot along with volatile organic compounds (oil leakage) in specific areas.
The city estimated cost of remediation at $72,000.
The SDCC originally endorsed the sale of the lot by the city to Mr. Schesch, he said.
However, he cannot do residential construction without environmental remediation. Instead, he purchased and is building on a lot where the Housing Corporation formerly planned to build. Other uses of the contaminated property are possible without disturbing the soil–as a dog park, for example.
The surface is not contaminated.
He said there was an agreement that if he did not use the lot he could donate it to the SDCC, otherwise he would sell it and the neighborhood would have less control over how it is used.
The board did not have a clear understanding of the agreement he described and will discuss the issue further at the next meeting.
The treasurer, Marnita Spight, was not present. Mike Reid led a discussion of the budget plans in progress. Mr. Reid’s hours will increase from 20 to 35 per week.
He has been paid for 20 hours weekly, but the job has regularly required unpaid overtime. Karen Kelsey will be working in afternoons only.
The air conditioning in the building needs repair and the boiler is not dependable long term. SDCC’s responsibility for this equipment under terms of their lease from the Housing Corporation, the landlord, was discussed. Mike Reid is working toward acquiring more grants for the SDCC. Beautification Chair Andy Cross announced that the annual garden tour, on the first Saturday in June, will again include individual gardens, as it did before the pandemic.
Another neighborhood-wide food drive on March 19 will be announced in the SD Times.
In addition to past recipients, donations will be shared with food pantries in the new Tenth Ward area north of Delmar. Rachelle L’Ecuyer reported for the Commercial Committee that Ameren is looking for a property to replace the current transformer near Crossroads.
She strongly discouraged the real estate agent who called from placing a large transformer station on a main boulevard in our area.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2022.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source Mike Reed versus Reid variant retained. Contamination and ownership allegations are attributed report; separate Schesch response disputes earlier tank claim.
Original source: SD_Times2022_04.pdf, printed page(s) 2, 4; PDF page(s) 2, 4.
