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NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MONTHLY MEETING

Previous           Tuesday, March 28th, 2006               Next
Richard Wendel for the Lenten Fish Fry at St. Pius V
Even with all the parish consolidation in our area there is still a Lenten fish fry in the neighborhood. From 4-7pm every Friday through April 14th. This is part of a new outreach effort by St. Pius as the new home of six other area parishes due to consolidation; our borders now reach from Oak Hill on the West all the way to the Mississippi River.  We hope to be an even stronger advocate for the neighborhood, and we appreciate your support. Our fish fry has the usual fare, deep-fried white fish and two side dishes including homemade potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni & cheese, and green beans.  Water, tea, beer and soda are available. Prices start at $6.50 for adults and $3.00 for children
Aldermen Conway (8th Ward) and Florida (15th Ward) tell us about the proposed Parking Garage and residential development behind Commerce Bank (between Hartford and Juniata just east of Grand)
This development will address the need for more parking for businesses along Grand in addition to freeing up residential parking spaces for residents. The overall development plan for the area behind Commerce Bank will include a two story parking garage at the northeast corner of Grand & Juniata, refurbishing the parking lot at the southeast corner of Grand & Juniata (next to Jay's) and opening it to the public, and sixty new residential condos built along Arkansas between Hartford and Juniata. The old bank building will be replaced by a two story parking garage, with 90 - 100 new parking spaces, with chain retail stores in the first floor areas along Grand There will be new signage for parking and a new bus stop on the east side of Grand A special taxing district will help pay for this development.  The only other way is to blight that entire area and take it away from Commerce Bank's ownership and use the whole area for surface parking spaces. Garage parking areas will be pay-to-park space but surface parking next to Jay's will be free The taxing district will be setup by the Board of Aldermen and the South Grand Community Improvement District.  These will be the only ones to vote on this. The tax increment financing (TIF) district created will fund $3 - 6 million of the costs of the entire development. The financing will be contingent upon construction of the public parking garage. Timetable: Design renderings will be available at the end of April, the old bank building will start to come down within 6 months, and the total construction project should be complete 18 months after that. There were concerns about how the TIF will excerpt revenues from the public schools which are already in a financial crunch The plan will also add more vehicle traffic to Grand
Sgt. Dianne Dailey for SLPD, 3rd District
Nothing to report Noise at the Juniata bus stop on Grand is really loud at 6am, but due to the exemptions in local noise ordinances, there is really nothing that can be done. The "kids running up to strangers and hitting them" story appears to just be an urban legend making the rounds, but it could indeed happen in the future There will be more traffic enforcement along Spring since most drivers don't slow down for the stop signs There was an attempted armed robbery at 361X Wyoming, the victim thwarted the attempt even while at gunpoint. The Neighborhood Association is putting together a Safety Fair for the neighborhood.  Contact Association President John Papa for more info or to volunteer.  The event is tentatively scheduled for June 4th.
Trivia Night was a big success!  We had a great time, got great support from the businesses in our neighborhood, gave away $1,300 in prizes and netted $1,500.
15th Ward Democrats are sponsoring a Candidates Forum
Monday, April 24th, 7:30pm, at the Carpenter Library Branch (Grand & Utah) All democratic candidates for the August 8th primary are invited Call (314) 773-2907 for more info
South Grand business update from Susan Anderson, Director of South Grand Community Improvement District (SGCID)
The banquet center next to Mekong has received City approval.  While the space has been approved for up to 60 customers, improvements are in the works to double that number.  No details are available on parking requirements. Floored yoga studio is open and the bar Urban is now open. Isn't It Grand collectibles is closing but a new shop with a more updated inventory of home items will be moving into that space. Susan will also be leaving SGCID
Grand South Grand House Tour: April 23-24.  Volunteers are needed to help show homes. Contact Diane Hurwitz for more information.