Historical September 1997 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
July 28, 1997 Minutes In Attendance: President Gary Hayes, Directors Ann Smith Carr, Peggy Droege, Ronie Haliburton, Ruth Johnson, Sara Johnson, Gwendolyn Lazard, Maggie HartMahon, Miki Merritt, Shirley Polk, Julie Schoemehl, Lana Stein; Paul Hohmann Metro Link Advisory Committee Chairperson; resident Christine Ting, Sgt. Don Frentzel, guest Rick Rosen and NSO Vivi Wolf, Executive Director Laure Porterfield. Reported Absences: Jack Wright. Absent: Arthelda Busch There was not a quorum at 7:00 p.m.
An informal meeting was started by President Gary Hayes at 7: 05 p.m. Welcome and Introductions Guests: Rick Rosen, who has worked with housing and urban transportation, and Christine Ting of the 5900 block of McPherson were introduced.
While waiting for a quorum, the Executive Director shared the following information: Delmar Boulevard: Alderman Dan McGuire has advised the Council that the lot where the Wabash Triangle Cafe was located will become a parking lot.
The Treasury Department of the City of St. Louis will take title to the property. McPherson Community Garden: Per Andy Cross, the garden has been recognized as the best new community garden this year by Gateway Greening Inc. Mike Faille’s new property: There will be a Conditional Use Hearing July 29, 1997 at City ,Hall.
The Executive Director will attend the hearing.
The actions that triggered the hearing were given.
It was noted that the property is held by a trust in perpetuity which means Mr. Faille bought the development rights but he does not own the land. National Night Out: A meeting was held with block captains. Volunteers are needed to work shifts.
A volunteer list was passed around.
All permits and licenses have been obtained to sell beer. Special thanks to Juanita. Gary Hayes advised the board that lawsuits have been filed by two(2) residents in the 61XX block of Washington Avenue against landlords in the 61xx block of Delmar who have not been keeping up properties.
These are Small Claims suits.
The claim is that the continued poor condition of commercial buildings at 6154 and 6172-78 Delmar are adversely affecting property values on Washington. Security It was reported by Sgt. Frentzel that there is an 89% increase in crimes against persons in the Skinker DeBaliviere. area.
This increase seems high because we have had such a low crime rate.
This increase was caused by Seventeen(17) incidents classified as robberies. Last month there was a rash of larceny reports from parked cars. Three(3) suspects were arrested. None are from this area.
Residents were again reminded not to leave valuables in plain view in vehicles.
There are also problems at the Ruth Porter mall.
There is a problem with run away children in a foster parent home in the 57XX block of Waterman.
The Division of Family Services has been notified by the police.
The meeting was officially started at 7:30 p.m. Sara Johnson moved to approve the minutes of the June meeting. Ruth Johnson seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved. Financial Report Ann Smith Carr reported that some of the CDA funding came in this period. Washington University was thanked for making the first half payment of their commitment for this year. Gary Hayes suggested that the Council increase its support of the West End Picnic.
The organizers have asked for $100.00 in the past.
They are asking for $200.00 from the council this year and asking for approval of a commitment of $250.00 from the community fund.
The motion was seconded by Ruth Johnson.
The motion passed unanimously. Metrolink Advisory Committee The Metrolink committee met June 15, 1997.
The committee hopes to resolve two main issues at this time. One major concern is the Des Peres intersection.
The other concern is that the community be included in decisions related to pedestrian access to the park as well as safety, parking issues, and input regarding design/aesthetics of stations and surroundings.
On June 26, 1997 a letter was sent East West Gateway council.
A response was received on July 16, 1997 stating that a feasibility study will be done on the Des Peres intersection, and that they will not need any neighborhood input at this time.
The next committee meeting will be August 18, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. at Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council. Apartment Owners Association Did not have summer meeting.
An article will be put in the Times regarding contractor’s list. Community Fund Some funds have been set aside for improvement to the council office.
As soon as the property’s disposition is determined work will commence.
The consulting group for the Delmar Enhancement Project held a meeting July 17, 1997, at the Bi-State garage for Delmar business and property owners. One big issue is the configuration of the street.
The consensus is not to have a median, and to have more planting of trees. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic are also being studied. Traffic will be changed after the flow study is complete. Crossing walkways and lights may be funded by this also.
A paid group of consultants is conducting the study. Grants were obtained to put in place a good consultant group.
The City of St. Louis, University City and Bi-State Transit are working together in this initiative. Meetings regarding these issues have been open to the public.
A bike path is also a part of this plan.
A resident of Kingsbury Square related a problem with the egress of buses from the garage, idling of buses for extended periods of time, and other issues.
The council will assist in finding the proper avenue to address this problem. Neighborhood Committees Beautification: It was reported by the Executive Director that the 59XX McPherson Community Garden was award the Best New Garden Award from Gateway Greening.
The 58xx block of DeGiverville has identified land for a community garden.
A grant will be written for a second garden for next year. Ronie Haliburton and Andy Cross are working on this. Social Service: The next meeting is scheduled for August 11, 1997 at the council office. Rosedale: Julie Schoemehl announced that Rags to Riches is scheduled for the 3rd weekend in September and that she would again chair the event. Washington Heights: The 58XX block of DeGiverville is planning to have their own National Night Out. Mrs. Haliburton agreed to visit Four Corners as well. Executive Director: Nina Place is moving two steps forward and one step back. Alderman Dan McGuire is hopeful that by the end of August, the debt attached to two of the properties will be forgiven by MHDC.
This will allow structures on the property to be demolished or rehabbed.
An environmental assessment is also being done on the largest structure on Kingsbury.
The City (CDA) is preparing to release on R.F.P. for developers of either the individual properties or for the remainder of the project. Alderman McGuire has also advised us that the City Treasury Department has reached an agreement with owners of the former Wabash Triangle Cafe.
The property will be turned into a parking lot.
It is hoped that this will attract other people to come in and develop other retail locations. Parking is a main issue.
There is no parking in the rear on the south side of the street and limited parking in the rear on the north side.
The Executive Director attended the hearing for the Sinclair lot.
This was part of the process to take the property by Eminent Domain.
It is not known at this time if the judges have made a decision. Parkview: No report other than the problem with the homeless sleeping in pocket parks which has been addressed by both private security and the U-City police. Kingsbury Square: Ruth Johnson addressed the emission problem with Bi-State buses.
The council will write letter to Bi-State Transit regarding this problem and the upkeep of their building. Nina Place: Lana Stein reported that the good news is there is only one crime listed on crime stats.
There are three(3) buildings left to be done.
They may possibly be replaced with townhouses or infill housing.
It was requested that the council send a letter to CDA regarding the slow process of this project. Ruth Johnson made a motion for the council to write a letter to CDA requesting time tables.
The motion was seconded by Julie Schoemehl. St. Roch: Maggie Hart-Mahon announced that the girl’s basketball team won the City-County Championship. Maggie will continue to work with Msgr. Polizzi regarding on-going support for the council. Grace Methodist: Gary Hayes said that there was nothing new to report. Air conditioner is working again. New Cote Brilliante: Miki Merritt noted that the choir will be in concert August 3, 1997 at 4:00 p.m. and all are invited. Other Business: The north alley in the 58XX block of Waterman is not kept clean. Vivi Wolf was asked to follow up.
There being no further business, Ruth Johnson moved for adjournment. Sara Johnson seconded. Submitted by Gwendolyn Lazard.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1997.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1997_09.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 6.
