Historical November–December 2004 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Over the past few years, several business persons have explored development of the old Waldman Glass Company building at 5959 Delmar.
A marvelous structure with a glass-walled ‘showroom,’ as well as access to underground parking and storage, this interesting site also has lots of adjacent parking.
A warehousing business’attempt to locate there last year was scuttled by their inability to get an occupancy permit, thanks to the Delmar Link Redevelopment Ordinance in place for some years and diligently enforced by our local committee, together with the zoning department of the City of St. Louis.
In October, a new business gained approval of its application for an occupancy permit to operate as “Granite Works.” Owners Mike Rasch and Pamela Primm did their homework.
They learned from Laurie Porterfield at SDCC about the Delmar Link Redevelopment Area, for which we have established several use restrictions.
They met with Alderman Frank Williamson, and with the Delmar Commercial Committee, to address concerns such as deliveries and storage.
The Committee stressed the importance of the site in the future development of Delmar east of the station, and emphasized consistency in applying our use restrictions in the redevelopment ordinance. For example, warehouse use is not allowed, and open storage is clearly spelled out as a prohibited use.
The zoning department held the required “conditional use” hearing, which gave neighbors and organizations an opportunity to comment further.
The Delmar Commercial Committee and Alderman Williamson outlined restrictions to be included in approval for occupancy, including limits on the type of delivery trucks to minimize unnecessary delays on Delmar.
A new privacy fence will be built to screen and protect public at the new loading dock. Retail showroom will be constructed to house full-size samples of countertops, fireplace surrounds, etc. Sound-deadening insulation of the west wall, adjacent to the child care facility next door, will be added.
The north wall is already insulated for noise control. Drainage issues will be examined and solved, so that sewer can handle any drainage from wet-sawing of granite.
A previous mound in the parking lot, which caused flooding in alley, will be removed.
The new business will be improving the parking lot per city regulations and the redevelopment ordinance standards. ‘Fabricating’ activity will be limited to preparation of customsized products made from broken pieces of granite in order to facilitate on-time delivery to customers, in place of re-orders in the event of breakage. Hours of operation will be 9:00 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday-Saturday and Sunday by appointment. No outside storage and no deliveries on Sunday.
The Delmar Commercial Committee worked closely with Alderman Williamson and solicited input from nearby neighbors on Enright, with help from committee members Marie Fowler and Ann Voss from the West End Community Conference. Adjacent business owner, Sunshine Academy’s Loretta Lloyd, one of our original committee members, and her husband Willis, helped to frame the provisions to make the proposal work. Granite Works promises to be an asset to our commercial district and neighborhood, offering new services and products to neighbors upgrading their homes, as well as to builders working nearby on the construction of new homes. Congratulations to Mike and Pamela as they launch their new business!
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2004.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2004_11.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
