Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association (DWNA) » Alderman

BB183 Passes, $750,000 for Justice Assistance in the Dutchtown Neighborhood

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:56:22 +0000

Ward 25 Alderman, Shane Cohn, announced today that Board Bill 183: “Bill to fund the Justice Assistance Grant Program” was past last Friday at the St. Louis Board of Alderman. The bill appropriated approximately $750,000.00 to allocate additional prosecutorial and police resources dedicated specifically to Dutchtown in effort to reduce crime and build community.

The bill is “An Ordinance authorizing and directing the Director of Public Safety, on behalf of the Mayor and the City of St. Louis, to enter into and execute a Grant Agreement with the U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, to fund the Justice Assistance Grant Program, upon approval of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, and to expend funds by entering into contracts or otherwise for grant purposes and containing an emergency clause.”

Scruggs Elementary School Erosion Issue Fixed!

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:28:32 +0000

The hillside erosion issue that has plagued Scruggs Elementary School (4611 South Grand Boulevard) and its surrounding Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association (DWNA) neighbors has finally been fixed! The new Ward 25 Alderman Shane Cohn announced today that after working with the Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) to address the erosion issue, they obtained bids for the job and just finished the work!

Picture of Scruggs Elementary Erosion Problem Before Work Completed

Picture of Scruggs Elementary Erosion Problem After Work Completed

If you recall, DWNA added the erosion issue to the DWNA Issue List over 515 days ago when former Ward 25 Alderwoman, Dorothy Kirner, was in office in July of 2008:

Investigate the land erosion that is happening on the edge of the school and why this has not been taken care of. Children using stones to throw at cars.

Thanks to the new Alderman, Shane Cohn, the erosion problem is now fixed and the issue is completed! While Scruggs Elementary is now a closed SLPS school, hopefully this site will not be closed for long.

Update: St. Louis City 25th Ward Will Soon Spend $400,000.00

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:14:14 +0000

The new 25th Ward Alderman, Shane Cohn, announced at the last Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association (DWNA) Meeting that the City of St. Louis was looking for ways to meet their current and future budget shortfalls. Alderman Cohn stated that the City has been looking into the Capital Improvement Accounts for each of the 28 Wards in the city to possibly use to meet the city’s budget shortfall. Click here to see a map of the 25th Ward. Thus, Alderman Cohn stated he was looking to spend the amount allocated to the 25th ward fairly quickly.

25th Ward Alderman Shane Cohn

The 25th Ward has a total of $400,796.59 in its “contingency fund” for future projects in the 25th Ward. The ward was appropriated $185,928.00 for fiscal year 2010. The Board of Public Service provided a current list of funds for the 25th Ward on 11/30/09: Click here to see a current list of funds for the 25th Ward and how funds have been allocated thus far.

From a fundraising email Alderman Shane Cohn sent out yesterday, he listed a few of these projects and initiatives he is working on in the 25th Ward:

Revitalization of Dutchtown Neighborhood Commercial District (Meramec Street);
Repurpose two defunct/former Public School facilities (Cleveland High School and Scruggs Elementary) to better serve the needs of the surrounding neighborhood and community-at-large;
Eliminate blight and re-populate the southwest portion of the Dutchtown Neighborhood;
Recruit businesses to the light industrial complexes along Gustine Avenue;
Community-based redesign of our neighborhood parks;
Urban Gardening and Nutrition Education; a partnership between community residents, HopeBuild (a non-profit), and 25th Ward convenience stores/restaurants;
Improving neighborhood safety through building stronger neighborhood watch programs;
Supporting and advancing progressive ideals throughout the City of St. Louis: inclusion, sustainable urban living, youth and community engagement, creation of efficiencies in government.

The Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association (DWNA) is anxiously anticipating hearing from the Alderman on how he specifically plans to spend the $400,796.59, and how/what will be spent in the DWNA area. Hopefully we will have more to share soon.

South Grand Street Improvement Survey

admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:36:39 +0000

As Alderwoman Jennifer Florida (Ward 15) mentioned at the last Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association (DWNA) meeting on August 11, 2009, South Grand (from Arsenal to McDonald) has received funding to improve the street scape in that area. Part of the plans include the option of turning South Grand into a 3-lane road down from a 4-lane road.

South Grand St. Louis Street Improvement Plan

You can read more about this project here. Or, to take an online survey about your thoughts on the project, click this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=r9l5uAVDV_2bJ9a4mu4sBsfg_3d_3d%20

Park Fountain Operational Again!

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:49:07 +0000

The large rock fountain located at Amberg Park (Keokuk and Gustine) is again operational after years of neglect!

Amberg Park Fountain

The Dutchtown West Neighborhood Association (DWNA) has listed Amberg Park and this rock fountain as a concern for months. Thanks to the hard work of the newly elected Ward 25 Alderman, Shane Cohn, this rock fountain has been restored to its former glory! Alderman Cohn states, “I’m so glad its operational! I’ve been driving by just to check on it, and makes me smile to see the kids enjoying it!”

While formal park development plans are in the works, more temporary trash cans will be placed in the park to help alleviate all of the litter that accumulates in the park.

DWNA’s next monthly park clean-up day is scheduled for Saturday, August 8th at 10:00am. Click here for more information.

See pictures below of what the rock fountain area area used to look like before being repaired:

Rock Fountain Clogged Drain and Litter

Rock Fountain Park Clean-Up

DWNA Monthly Update from Alderman Shane Cohn

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:55:39 +0000

Below is the DWNA Monthly Update from 25th Ward Alderman Shane Cohn for the month of July 2009:

25th Ward Alderman Shane Cohn

Funds previously allocated by former Alderwoman Dorothy Kirner have been redistributed. Part of the funds have been added to the St. Louis City 50/50 Sidewalk repair program in the 25th Ward so that everyone requesting sidewalk repair this year will get it done.
A portion of the capital improvement funds will go to address the poor condition of the road on Meramec near Niebling Auto Body and the Car Wash, and a portion will be devoted to improving the sidewalks East of Grand along Meramec in the Downtown Dutchtown area.
Looking into soliciting help from a Washington University in St. Louis design class for redeveloping/improving Amberg Park. Intend to lay the plans for park improvements and get the community involved and their input in order to start soliciting grants to fund the project.
Updates on South Towne Apartments (see post here). Will solicit help to petition neighbors to close Spring Street in between the new St. Marys High School Sports Park and Beckerley Park.

DWNA Monthly Update from Alderwoman Jennifer Florida

admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:38:53 +0000

Below is the DWNA Monthly Update from 15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida for the month of July 2009:

15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is moving into the South Side Tower located at the corner of Grand and Gravois in October. Read more about it here.
The issues with 3631 Alberta is nearly resolved. Contact the NSO, Judy Lane, for more information.
Proceeding with installing decorative tile coverings on the utility boxes located on S Grand
The Rental Registration bill (see here) is currently being vetted by the City Counselors. More information on the progress soon.
Proceeding with condemnation of the old Burger King building located at Grand and Keokuk.
Requested Building inspection of the old Netties building located at Grand and Chippewa. They have no permits for their new business. More updates soon.

Holding Landlords Accountable

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:29:20 +0000

15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida has introduced legislation in the City of St. Louis to require rental property owners to register their contact information with the city. See the article from the post dispatch here.

15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida

“Two members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen plan Friday to introduce a bill that would create a registry of all rental properties in the city, according to the Board agenda.

Landlords would be required to register their buildings with the city once a year, and supply names and contact information for both the owner and, if the owner does not live in the area, a local agent living in the city, St. Louis County, St. Charles or Jefferson Counties. Violations would carry a fine of $150 to $500.

The purpose, according to the bill (available here), is to help city agencies track down property owners for maintenance, safety and other issues at their buildings. There are nearly 70,000 rental units in St. Louis, according to a 2007 Census estimate, about half of all properties in the city.

Similar measures exist in other places, including Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, NC, and the state of Arizona. It comes a week after another bill introduced at the Board of Aldermen to create a registry of vacant buildings in the city.”

Alderman Cohn Requests Amberg Park Clean-Up from Operation Brightside

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:49:59 +0000

25th Ward Alderman Shane Cohn has responded to a request for work from Operation Brightside for public property clean-up projects which include Amberg Park on the top of the list:

1. Amberg Park: Litter/debris pick up (weekly), Gardening (quarterly)
2. Mt. Pleasant Park: Litter/debris pick up (weekly), Gardening (quarterly)
3. Meramec Street (between Grand & Minnesota): Litter/debris pick up (weekly), Gardening/weeding (monthly)
4. Cleveland High School: Litter/debris pick up (once)

Operation Brightside

Operation Brightside has responded that they are “not sure we [they] will be able to clean up every week in your designated areas but will definitely get these projects on the calendar.

If you are interested in helping clean-up our neighborhood park, contact Operation Brightside at 772-4646 or join DWNA for one of our monthly park clean-ups held on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:00am.