Historical September 1989 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Usually summertime means vacations and a change in our usual routine, but for the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council (SDCC) Board the summer months brought business as usual. Attendance at the meetings was as follows: June-Frank and Flossie Driscole, Nancy Farmer, Mary Fleener, Georgi Fox, Paul Kurtz, Bob Mahon, John Roach, Phil Roberts, Arline Webb, and Kathy Wobus; July-Randy Bailey, Nancy Farmer, Mary Fleener, Georgi Fox, Marti Hussey, Bob Mahon, Shirley Polk, Arline Webb and Kathy Wobus; August-Bill Duncan, Nancy Farmer, George Genung, Kathleen Hamilton, Karleen Hoerr, Paul Kurtz, Bob Mahon, Shirley Polk, Phil Roberts, Arline Webb, and Kathy Wobus.
This reporter attended all three meetings.
The May, June and July minutes were all reviewed and accepted.
The Treasurer’s reports and cash statements for the same period were also discussed and adopted by the Board.
June Highlights
John Roach made a presentation to the Board for construction of a Zipps restaurant in the 58XX block of Delmar.
He discussed the current status of the area and its prospects for future development. Zipps is a locally owned corporation which would use this location as a training unit and showplace for interested franchisers. Pantheon already holds the development rights to the block, but they would need to acquire one parcel from another owner.
Two buildings on the block are already slated for demolition because they are in dangerous condition.
The area’s zoning does not allow a fast food use by right, so they would need to get a conditional use permit from the city.
The Board discussed the proposal further before voting to oppose it.
They will express appreciation to Roach for the presentation and explain SDCC’s interest in Delmar development.
The concern is that fast food establishments are not really the kind of business SDCC wants to encourage and with the Commercial District plan coming this summer, they want to work within its guidelines.
The Director’s Report included information about the SDCC move downstairs into the former 28th Ward headquarters. SDCC will be getting a $5,000.00 grant from the Regional Arts Commission for community arts events.
The Mary Henderson concert was excellent, but attendance was off from last year.
The theater production was very successful with big attendance and many new neighbors involved. Blitz Day was also successful. Farmer reported that the Title V part-time secretary Erline Smith will be starting soon and will be a great help. Fox suggested writing a letter of commendation to the City forestry department thanking them for their great clean-up job after the June storm.
July Highlights
The Board discussed a short-fall in the budget for this year.
There is a cushion to absorb the shortage so SDCC will go ahead with the previously authorized computer purchase jointly with the West End Arts Council. Fox outlined a proposal for a neighborhood dog show with many “fun” categories for entries to get many area kids involved. (See related story.) Questions were raised about the delay on the McPherson parking lot expansion by Grace.
The City’s 50/50 sidewalk repair plan was discussed. Bailey suggested and the Board approved that SDCC send a letter of recognition to Joe Edwards at Blueberry Hill for his efforts to establish the Walk of Stars. Polk asked that Mestman Realty be contacted to place more trash cans at DeBaliviere Center and DeGiverville to accommodate all the litter in the area. Farmer gave the Director’s report.
The move to new space has provided much more visibility and accessibility.
The Zipp’s plan has been tabled by Pantheon but their representatives will meet with the commercial district planning committee to help discuss overall plans for Delmar. Mestman Realty is talking with Walgreen’s about locating a store in the undeveloped DeBaliviere Center parcel, but Farmer assured the Board that if any building plans deviate from those approved last year, Mestman must come back to the City for approval. National Night Out will be August 8, and there are no specific events planned. Hamilton School will be sponsoring a photography contest in the early fall with the theme of what makes a place a home. SDCC will need to adopt a personnel policy as a Title V employer/host.
A specific plan will be adopted by the Board soon.
August Highlights
SDCC Conserv Officer Bill Duncan gave a report which included an update on improved derelict car towing.
Currently about one car per week is being removed.
Many dumpsters will be replaced in the next few months so he asked that people report ones with holes in the bottom. Webb asked about water erosion in Pershing alley along the Parkway.
He will investigate. Board members discussed the recent Post-Dispatch article about the neighborhood which was very favorable. Proposals for fundraisers were also covered.
This will be investigated further. Forslund requested that a permanent SDCC beautification committee be established which she offered to head initially. Also the Board agreed to add the SDCC name and support to the Coalition for the Environment’s garage sale and recycling event August 26 at Crossroads School.
In her Director’s report, Farmer advised that the computer would be installed in mid-August and that word processing and database software had also been purchased.
The Board approved an application to the Missouri State Surplus Property Agency so we can possibly get better prices on office supplies and equipment. Walgreen’s negotiations continue; and the Board asked Farmer to let Mestman know we are anxious to know what plans are being made in addition to notifying them of some neighbor complaints with litter, etc. Farmer reported that Mike McGrath will be the new director at Hamilton Community School following a shake-up there.
The Board will send Alva Jacobs a letter expressing our thanks and support in future endeavors and one to the City Community School Advisory Board expressing dismay at how things were handled at Hamilton.
The Dog Show has been scheduled for September 30.
The Concert series will have events on September 17, 24 and October 1.
One will be at Kingsbury Square, one at Four Corners and one in’ conjunction with the City West Business Association street event on DeBaliviere. Art Exposed will be October 15 and bigger and better than ever. Edible art judges include Joe Pollack, Vince Bommarito and Marcia Smith. SDCC will again supply ice to Polk’s annual free picnic in Forest Park.
Committee Summer Reports
Planning Sub-committee
reports were turned into the steering committee about mid-August.
The public forum in June was pretty well attended and included a Metro Link presentation. Expect a good product to be presented to the Board for approval.
Historic District Review
They were mostly concerned with the planning proposal work which included a review of the historic district boundaries, proposals from our ordinance to push through, and ideas on making the district requirements more understandable and accessible to neighbors.
Parkview The
interior street re-surfacing is completed.
The Brass Quintet concert was a success despite vandalism to the City’s bandshell.
Some new agents have been elected and new resident directories are out. Crime has been down there during the summer.
Rosedale The
Blitz barricade beautification project won a $100 regional first prize. New officers will be elected in mid-August.
A few crimes shook up neighbors in late May/early June. Rags to Riches is scheduled for September 23.
Housing Corporation
The corporate directors have liability insurance and are looking at an early August closing date to take title from the city to the Rosedale Square buildings. Their tax exempt status is still pending with the IRS.
They are happy to receive comments and suggestions from neighbors.
Nomination The
executive committee will act as the nominating committee for the 1989-90 officers.
They will make recommendations at the September Board meeting for officers and committee assignments for all Board members.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1989.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1989_09.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
