Historical Summer 2003 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Editor’s Note: During May, John Burroughs School students Ross Curly and Fiona Fordyce became TIMES volunteers, attending neighborhood meetings, as well as surveying businesses on Delmar for future advertising in the TIMES.
The following observations were written especially for THE TIMES.
The April 26th meeting at St. Roch’s church concerned the impact of Metrolink construction on the Skinker-Debaliviere neighborhood for the next two years.
It also shed some light on the neighborhood’s general emotions towards Metro and Washington University. Municipal leaders decided there would not be a designated detour because no businesses and residents on Delmar and Olive were willing to accept the immediate traffic burden from the Forest Park Parkway using neighborhoods.
When asked whether trucking companies would be alerted or deterred from using Skinker for the next two years, the representatives from Metro (previously Bi-state) responded, “We can’t be so bold as to limit trucking traffic on Skinker.” Metro said that they hope trucking companies will search for alternate routes on their own accord.
The lack of action with the trucking companies clearly perturbed some already disgruntled residents.
Residents were not pleased to learn that the Delmar beautification program will be implemented during the closing of Forest Park Parkway. One resident pointed out that it makes little sense to narrow Delmar to one lane in each direction when the traffic flow will be so greatly increased for the next two years. Attendees of the meeting were apparently also surprised to learn that traffic would also be permanently affected, as Metro plans to eliminate the section of Des Peres between Lindell and Forest Park Parkway. Further anxiety was generated when Metro announced a new plan for the intersections of Lindell Boulevard and Skinker that includes a traffic signal. Frustration with Washington University and its role in the plans was rampant. Additional traffic signals included in the plan are mostly for Washington University pedestrians. One attendee asked why Wash. U. is to be given a lane of traffic all to itself once construction is intensified, while the residents of Skinker-Debaliviere are left with greatly increased traffic and many fewer entrances and exits from the neighborhood.
The Pastor of St. Roch’s church sarcastically commented, “I recommend this line be named the Washington University line.” The meeting provided many answers and important new information, but often Metro’s decrees were not what residents wanted to hear.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2003.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed byline Ross Curley; editor note Ross Curly, retained as variants. Meeting dateApril26 differs from Council announcementApril29; no inferred correction.
Original source: SD_Times2003_06.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
