Historical November 1988 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
At the October Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council (SDCC) meeting, a number of important neighborhood topics were raised for discussion. Attendance included Randy Bailey, Nancy Farmer, Mary Fleener, George Genung, Karleen Hoerr, Marty Hussey, Paul Kurtz, Bob Mahon, Alderman Dan McGuire, Shirley Polk, Arline Webb, Neville Vatcha, Kathy Wobus and this reporter. Visiting the meeting was 7th District Relief Sergeant Clarence Contestabile.
The September minutes and current treasurer’s report were both reviewed, discussed and accepted with minor typographical corrections. Sergeant Contestabile told the Board he was glad to stop by for a visit to keep up with what’s going on in the neighborhood.
He reported that the reduction of manpower in our district has been fairly severe.
There have been a number of daytime burglaries in recent months which have kept the 7th District officers very busy. SDCC Director Nancy Farmer gave the Board a summary of the new Operation ConServe program being developed by the City.
While still only in the planning stages, this operation sounds as though it will join Operations Brightside and Safestreet as major success stories of progress and growth for our City’s neighborhoods. ConServe will be tied to the consultant and development studies which have been conducted around the City in the last year. Susan Feinberg has been named ConServe’s Director. Specific programs to be implemented will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood depending on local needs. Representatives of all City departments will be involved as well as a number of City employees. Neighborhood housing corporations, formed and funded by the City, will operate separate and distinct from other local organizations. Their role will be to intervene and assist in neighborhood priority situations such as rehabilitation projects, funding for home repairs or other areas of local concern. Operation ConServe should be in full swing by next spring!
The West End Neighborhood Arts Council (WENAC) will present their 5th Annual Art Exposed on October 16, 1988 at Four Corners. Features will include the usual adult and children art exhibits, artist studio tours and music, but this year there will be the added delight of the first St. Louis Edible Art Competition.
The day should prove to be an exciting one for our neighborhood as we showcase our talents for the City.
The SDCC is officially committed to participate in the annual local fall classic, Old Newsboys Day. [This year’s event takes place on Thursday, November 17.] We will be selling papers at Waterman & Des Peres and Forest Park Parkway & Des Peres from 6:30-9:00 a.m. Additionally, Shirley Polk will be at her usual post, DeGiverville & DeBaliviere, beginning at 6:00 a.m. Volunteers for 1/2 or 1 hour shifts are welcome.
We should all join in to support this venerable St. Louis charitable fund raiser by selling or buying the special-edition Suburban Journal that day.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Washington University has contacted SDCC and Alderman McGuire to consider a proposal to construct an additional parking lot on the lawn east of the existing lot near the southwest corner of Skinker and Forest Park Parkway (Millbrook).
The construction of a new engineering building in the County portion of campus carries with it the County requirement of a certain number of additional parking spaces on campus.
This proposal is one alternative to meet that requirement.
A permit for any construction on this site must be approved by SDCC, McGuire and the Mayor’s office. Directors will go back to their respective organizations for neighborhood feedback on the project and Jim McLeod, the Washington University Board representative, will present and discuss their perspective on the situation at the next meeting. Board members discussed and reviewed street, entrance marker and other plans for the Nina Place/DeBaliviere Place West development area. McGuire reported that there are still a few properties not blighted or included in the development plans. Owners will be given a final chance for blighting.
The City is also looking to help other area owners with site and home improvements.
The demolition of 2 buildings on 58xx Westminster has been approved as there are no development plans or prospects for the buildings after over 10 years of vacancy.
The streets department is considering ways to improve the traffic flow and safety in the Nina Place vicinity.
A lane narrower on Kingsbury at Nina is under study and the request for ornamental lighting on the bridges is being renewed.
City Traffic Division officials are stumped by the unique Nina/Waterman/Laurel intersection and will need a specific City ordinance to determine additional stop sign configuration there.
The Board is considering a proposal for one stop sign on east-bound Waterman at Laurel and one on west-bound Waterman on the north side of the Nina alley.
This plan hopes to facilitate traffic safety on Laurel as well as provide safe ingress and egress for residents of the newly developed buildings through the alley.
A suggestion to eliminate parking on the curves of Laurel and Nina to allow better vision in the whole vicinity was also taken under advisement.
As for the proposed entrance marker, Board consensus was that despite the fact a marker is appropriate, the design proposed is inappropriate.
The structure is too large and deemed potentially unsafe. Directors and Sgt. Contestabile worried about cars’ views being obstructed and/or unsavory elements hiding behind the proposed high wall portions. McGuire promised to look into the current status of the project and do what he can to halt construction until design changes can be made to make the marker suitable for its setting on the circle at Nina Place and Waterman. Operation Brightside is again making available tulip and mixed bulbs.
They are free to organizations or can be purchased $5 for 50 bulbs to individual citizens.
The SDCC/WENAC computer purchase is still being evaluated. Farmer sadly reported the recent resignation of Jane Rund as Skinker-DeBaliviere’s Neighborhood Liaison Officer.
She was always very helpful and will be sorely missed. Kurtz suggested the Board send her a letter expressing their grateful appreciation of all her concerned efforts.
No replacement has yet been named.
The City West Business Association has proudly announced their new name.
They hope to expand membership and encourage local support for all member businesses.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Historic District Review
After being proposed in the original ordinance, zoning changes along Delmar and Des Peres are finally being introduced at City Hall.
The objective of the changes are to put downgraded commercial restrictions on future development which will keep uses in line with a residential neighborhood environment. Current occupants of affected areas are, however, “grandfathered in” to their current status.
The committee is still planning a commemorative event. Parkview Street and sidewalk repairs for this year have been completed. Additional tree trim ming and spraying will soon be finished. Concerns about the Washington University Homecoming Parade trash, Thurtene Carnival location, construction, parking and trash will be discussed at the November meeting . when McLeod will return and can represent the University in this matter.
Rosedale The
Rags to Riches was well attended and successful despite the early scattered rain.
The Phoenix condo accommodations raffle was won by Mary Brake. Christmas Walk Plans are progressing and a report will be ready for the next meeting.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1988.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1988_11.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
