Historical March 1990 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
While continuing its opposition to the proposed Walgreens, the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council (SDCC) lent its support to condominium and restaurant proposals for the Pershing-Union area.
In attendance at the February Board meeting were: Brenda Davis, Frank and Flossie Driscole, Nancy Farmer, Mary Fleener, Victor Frankel, Georgi Fox, George Genung, Lou Hamilton, Amy Harris, Karleen Hoerr, Paul Kurtz, Rich Lacaille, Al Levine, Steve Lewis, Bob Mahon, Guy McClellan, Dan McGuire, Gary Mestman, Ron Norris, Agnes Quinn, Phil Roberts, Roy Roncal, Roy Tagger, Nevile Vatcha, Arline Webb, Kathy Wobus and Jack Wright.
The minutes of the January meeting were corrected and approved.
The treasurer’s report was discussed and approved.
A presentation was made to the Board by Levine, architect for the proposed Walgreens.
Since their initial design was rejected by the Heritage and Urban Design Commission (HUDC) the size of the building was reduced, the loading dock and trash collection site were moved to the south side of the building (making ? on the Forest Park Parkway side), the building was moved forward on the site and additional landscaping was included for the rear and north side of the building. Their aim was to orient all traffic toward DeBaliviere, and away from the DeGiverville residences.
They will be duplicating the architectural details of that building.
The signage is being reduced almost 50% and will be white instead of Walgreens traditional red to match the other center. Lacaille, Mestman, Frankel and another Walgreens representative answered questions about traffic flow, the prescription computer network satellite dish, area youth hiring, local target market area and liquor sales.
With respect to liquor, they have eliminated the separate liquor department, but would like to still have beer and wine sales.
They would exclude hard liquor if the neighborhood desires, and any liquor sales would be done within the regular retail area.
They still need a zoning variance and a liquor license both of which require public hearings. SDCC will monitor the situation. McClellan requested that the SDCC enter into a Performance and Neighborhood Agreement in order for him to receive previously approved Community Development Block Grant Funds.
The Grant Funds are used as For Sale Incentive Program monies to help buyers for the Chelsea Condominiums at 5381 Pershing.
The Board is needed as a channel for the funding to go to the developer, and even though this program was approved a few years ago. the documents were never executed.
The Board authorized Farmer to execute the Agreements to help McClellan’s development. Norris described a new restaurant that will open in the recently renovated Westmoreland on the Parc apartment building.
To be called “An American Brasserie’ it should be opening this spring and will be operated by the Mariner Hospitality Group.
They want a full-drink license, but no packaged liquor sales.
There will be offstreet parking behind the building for this mid-range priced, well-varied-menu establishment.
The Board voted to send a letter for the zoning hearing, indicating that SDCC supports the location of this restaurant in the Westmoreland. McGuire reported that the expansion of the Rosedale Square Redevelopment Area is proceeding as previously described in this column. McGuire will be meeting with residents and a public hearing has been scheduled on the area plan.
The Board voted to support the Aldermanic proposal, contingent on the support of the block residents. McGuire also reported that there is progress on the implementation of zoning changes originally proposed in the original Skinker DeBaliviere historic district ordinance passed over 10 years ago.
The south side of Delmar from the City,limit to Des Peres will be rezoned from general commercial to local business.
The commercial zoning that exists on Des Peres (except at Kingsbury and Pershing) will be rezoned for multi-family.
These changes do not affect existing business, but would restrict future owners or operators from continuing the “higher” zoning use. SDCC voted to support this downgrade in zoning to improve future development in the neighborhood. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Farmer reported on a meeting with Community Development Agency (CDA) Director, Tony Williams.
They toured the area and discussed increased funding.
The Shell station at Delmar and Skinker is being renovated into a mini-market store.
The SDCC historic district review, beautification and commercial district committees all made requests for changes in the design plans and all requests were answered. Shell’s design plan has been approved by the City. Operation ConServ will soon be including Skinker DeBaliviere in the upcoming group of neighborhood brochures being prepared as part of the City’s marketing program which will eventually include all City neighborhoods. Farmer has examples of the brochures already done for other ConServ districts. Neighbors interested in this program can contact Farmer.
The St. Louis 2004, Inc. group will be having an organizational meeting in February.
They are working toward a world’s fair and possibly the Olympics here for the 100th anniversary of our first World’s Fair and the first United States Olympics.
The Community Theater production organizers will have an initial planning meeting March 1 to start planning their late-May program.
The Metro Link and Arts in Transit programs are sponsoring a neighborhood informational meeting to discuss plans for the Forest Park Station at DeBaliviere in Mid-February. Committee Reports Beautification Forslund discussed the February neighborhood survey the committee was organizing.
This will look for missing street trees, damaged curbs and sidewalks, clogged storm sewers, damaged trees and other items related to improving the look of our area.
The Board also approved a resolution commending Andy Cross’s recycling efforts on the 61XX Kingsbury block and his plans to expand this work. Rosedale Roncal said Rosedale would be cosponsoring the HUDC program (discussed above). Parkview Fleener and Genung reported that the center gate is broken and closed.
There have been some problems with barking dogs and the lights are working on and off. Housing Corporation They are working on getting heat in the basements, frozen pipe problems and lateral sewer line problems in the Rosedale Square Project. Errata Last month’s story erroneously reported that the new Board member Lou Hamilton lives on 62XX McPherson.
He lives on 60XX McPherson. Sorry!
Original photograph caption
An interested crowd learns about the proposed light rail stations. Photo by King Schoenfeld. The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March1990, page5.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, March 1990.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: One printed question mark appears in Walgreens site description “making ? on the Forest Park Parkway side”; retained as source uncertainty.
Original source: SD_Times1990_03.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
