Posted in News on January 24, 2012
Like their national party’s search for a reasonable, non-extreme and acceptable presidential nominee, the Missouri Republican Party will soon embark on a pointless, unproductive effort of their own – and the Sixth Ward Democrats will be there to celebrate!
On Tuesday, February 7, local Republicans plan to waste up to $7 million of public funds on a non-binding “Presidential Preference Primary”. The vote will award no delegates, have no impact on the nomination process and some of the race’s leading candidates won’t even be on the ballot. In effect, this primary is nothing more than a glorified “beauty contest”.
To recognize this reign of Republican ridiculousness, the Sixth Ward Democratic Organization is hosting a watch party at the Fox Park Grille (located at the corner of Nebraska & Shenandoah). There, local progressives will join together to witness the madness, play “Where’s Newt”, and help raise money to turnout city voters in August and November – two elections that actually matter.
The fun begins at 7 p.m., and for a $5 door charge, you’ll receive light appetizers and access to the cash bar and grill. Hope to see you there!
Posted in News on January 24, 2012
Homelessness and the issues surrounding it are very important considerations for our city and region. As alderman, I’ve worked to be a strong voice and advocate for many issues affecting St. Louis’ homeless community.
An upcoming series from the Missouri History Museum, “Stories of Resilience”, will help spotlight issues of hunger and homelessness in our region. This monthly series offers stories of resilience and hope in the St. Louis area. Topics are examined from different perspectives through a variety of formats, from guest lecturers to workshops.
The series kicks-off with a community forum on Tuesday, February 28 at the Lee Auditorium in Forest Park. There, we’ll explore ways in which homelessness is being addressed in the St. Louis region, including the efforts of organizations like Gateway 180: Homelessness Reversed.
This important forum promises to be informative and thought-provoking, and I strongly encourage you to attend.
Posted in News on January 11, 2012
Decision paves way toward development of long-vacant grounds
Today, Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett (Ward 6) applauded the Tax Increment Financing Commission’s decision to approve $1.7 million in funds to 
help develop the Jefferson Avenue Foodland site near Lafayette Square. The move marks another step toward making the proposed rehab of the 47,000-square-foot former supermarket a reality. Returning a grocery store to the area and redeveloping the property, which has stood vacant since 2004, has been an chief concern of Triplett’s since she first ran for office five years ago.
“This morning’s TIF board decision is great news for the entire 6th Ward area,” said Triplett. “These funds won’t just rebuild a store, they’ll transform the entire surrounding community. For years, I’ve heard the neighborhood’s desire for a close, convenient retail center. This TIF approval marks an important step forward in the process, and I look forward to working closely with local residents and Green Street Properties as we make this dream into a reality.”
Green Street Properties filed paperwork with the city last November to begin the $6.6 million first phase of the development later this spring. They also have tentative plans to begin a potential second phase later on. The company is currently close to completing another development project in the 6th Ward, the LEED-certified building at the corner of Chouteau and Jefferson that will soon house the new headquarters of the Sheetmetal Workers’ Union Local 36, and DynaLabs, a biotechnology company.
The current plan calls for turning the property on Jefferson into a mixed-use development that will house a grocery store, along with other tenants. Since the previous supermarket closed after being denied a liquor license in 2004, the area has lacked nearby grocery options. In fact, the site sits within 2000 feet of three separate geographical tracts declared by the US Department of Agriculture to be “food deserts”, areas where healthful, affordable food is difficult to obtain.
Triplett has been assisting local businesses and spurring the development of local neighborhoods as alderman of the 6th Ward since April 2007. She currently represents part of downtown St. Louis and several south St. Louis neighborhoods.
This upcoming Monday, December 12th, Team Starr will be coming together for a holiday fundraising event. 2011 has been a great year, and I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received throughout it.
So, let’s take a moment to celebrate and recognize everything we’ve accomplished together. The event will be held at PW Pizza (2017 Chouteau), the 6th Ward’s Newest Restaurant.
We’ll begin at 5:30 p.m. and go until 8:00. Hope to see you there!
- Vacant Foodland Building
Things are definitely looking optimistic for our ward in 2012. A few weeks ago, I sat down with the
developers of Green Street Properties to discuss their interest in renovating
the former Foodland grocery store site.
This large property prominently located at the intersection of Highway
44 & Jefferson, has sparked genuine interest and excitement amongst
business owners and developers since my inception as Alderwoman. The location of the Foodland building is
highly desirable. With its high traffic count, easy access to major highway,
convenience to downtown and strong residential neighborhoods; this site has
been screaming for activity. Over the
past years, several ideas have been proposed including a mixed use retail
development, a movie theatre, a furniture warehouse and even a charter school.
Despite strong interest in the site, the economy has been a major factor and indicator
in the availability for developers to obtain the financing necessary to bring
the project into completion. This
situation is no different, as the developers are working to accumulate the
necessary capital to make this project work.
They recently appeared before the city’s Tax Increment Finance board for
a preliminary review hearing to discuss their proposal.
The developers’ proposal include the current Foodland building sub-divided into
three retail entities. The project will
apply for LEED certification (which means during the construction and design
process, the developers will work to promote sustainability by recycling and
reusing products. Some ideas include
utilizing energy efficient features to reduce light pollution, incorporating
rain gardens in the urban landscape surrounding the building, and a permeable
parking surface for the collection of rainwater. )
The main retail site will feature a grocery store.
Other discussions for the remaining retail sites include a gym,
restaurant, bank and hardware store. The entry of a grocery store to our
neighborhood will be a welcome addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
named our neighborhood a “food desert” due to the lack of healthy food,
contributed by the shortage of a grocery store in the area.
I am very excited about this proposed new development, and I hope you are too –
however understand that there is still more heavy lifting to be done to bring
this project into fruition. As the
process advances, I will do my best to make sure the neighborhood is included
in the discussions. It is important for
you to know how things are developing at such an important site in the
neighborhood.
Chief Isom & 6th Ward residents in front of solar mobile speed trailer
I am always amazed at the great people that live in our ward. Not too long ago, the 6th Ward Community office, JVL South spearheaded a 6th Ward First Responders Appreciation Day. This was a day to recognize our police, firefighters and EMT personnel who sacrifice their lives each day to make sure we are safe. On this day of appreciation, all 6th Ward neighborhoods partnered together and served breakfast, lunch and dinner for our First Responders.
Aside from serving the meals, each neighborhood provided a cash contribution to assist our police department and address their needs. With the money donated from 6th Ward neighborhoods, a solar powered mobile speed trailer was purchased. (more…)
We are always excited to have great interns working in the ward throughout the summer and school year. Recently, one of our super interns, Raquel Booker, completed her summer project and wanted to share her findings with our community. Thanks Raquel for all of your hard work!
Owning a Pet in the City of St. Louis
At some point in most every
child’s life, they will end up begging their parents for a dog
or cat. From the small, cute and cuddly to the big and fluffy, people sometimes
forget pets are a huge responsibility for a family to undertake. My name is
Raquel Booker and I will be a senior at Sold an International Studies High
School. Over the past two summers, I’ve been interning with the 6th Ward
community office, known as the JVL – South office via the Purina Pet Advocate
Leadership (PALS) Program. This internship provides high school students with
an opportunity to work in a capacity that relates, on some level, to pets. I
find this work especially valuable, as we have an opportunity to speak up for a
group that is unable to speak for themselves. This summer, I’ve been
busy researching local city ordinances in order to create a responsible pet
ownership brochure, which will provide an easily accessible overview on
important laws 6th Ward residents need to know. To make owning a pet so much easier, here
are 5 things you should know: (more…)
Posted in News on August 2, 2011
Next Tuesday, Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett (Ward 6) will host an informational meeting for local renters. Housing law attorneys who will provide an overview of the legal rights afforded to tenants within St. Louis city. The meeting will be held in the Community Activities Area at the Eads Square Apartments (2700 Henrietta).
“It’s so important for local tenants to know their rights,” said Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett. “Renters make up a big part of our 6th Ward community. That’s why I’m so excited to partner with these local experts and attorneys to make sure everyone has the information they need to live safely and happily in their apartments.”
Panelists scheduled to attend next Tuesday’s meeting include Ian Simmons (Beck Simmons & EHOC volunteer), Leslie Broadnax (Mound City Bar Association), Shira Truitt (Truitt Law Firm), and Susan Alverson (Legal Services of Eastern Missouri).
Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett is a longtime advocate for housing and homelessness issues. In 2005, Mayor Francis Slay appointed her to the Affordable Housing Commission, where she served until being sworn-in as alderman of the 6th Ward in April 2007. She currently represents part of downtown St. Louis and several south St. Louis neighborhoods.
WHAT: “Know Your Rights As A Renter” Informational Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, August 9th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Community Area at Eads Square Apartments (2700 Henrietta)
Posted in News on August 1, 2011
I’m proud to announce that, on Thursday, August 18, I’ll be serving as a celebrity waitress for the 21st Annual fundraiser for St. Louis Crisis Nursery. For over a quarter century now, the group has worked to prevent child abuse and neglect across the local region.
It’s a great cause and a fantastic event that I feel fortunate to be part of. My shift will be at Cardwell’s at The Plaza in Frontenac from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
This will be a sold-out event, so be sure to make your reservations today by calling (314)997-8885 and join me in support of one of St. Louis’ greatest advocates for children and families!
Posted in News on July 12, 2011
This past Friday, the Board of Aldermen wrapped up its legislative session. The most recent items up for discussion and passage at the Board of Aldermen include the following:
New Law Requiring the Spaying, Neutering & Microchipping for Dogs & Cats (potential passage date is September 2011) - This responsible pet owner’s legislation introduced by Ald. Lyda Krewson (D-28) requires that all city pet owners spay, neuter and micro-chip animals for identification. The ordinance also creates a special Neuter Assistance and Education fund which will offer financial assistance to qualified income -eligible city residents to assist with the spaying, neutering and micro-chipping of their dogs and cats. For those city residents who are found to not be in compliance with the new proposed responsible pet ownership law; there will be a 60 day grace period. Those found to not be in compliance after 60 days will be issued a fine. It should be noted that this law would not take effect until 2012 once session is resumed in September 2011.
New Ward Boundaries for the 6th Ward - Every 10 years based on population count from the deci-annual census the ward boundaries for our City must be redrawn. The 6th Ward was one of the few wards to experience a double digit population growth. To accommodate population loss in surrounding parts of the City, our ward boundaries had to shift. What does this mean for us in the 6th Ward? It means that we will continue to maintain our diversity, excellent neighborhoods and strong quality of life; however we will have to lose some neighbors and gain new ones. The 6th Ward will still consist of the Lafayette Square, Compton Hill, Compton Heights, Tower Grove East, Fox Park, Gate District and Clinton Peabody neighborhoods. Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to our friends in the Downtown West & JVL neighborhoods. Those neighborhoods will now be represented by portions of the 5th and 19th Wards. We welcome new blocks of the Compton Heights and Fox Park neighborhoods and also say goodbye to some areas of Lafayette Square including the historic Lafayette Park. With Redistricting, “you win some and you lose some.” It’s a heavily political and at times controversial process. However, I am convinced that as Alderman, you and I will work together and continue to make our community vibrant, sustainable and a great place to live, work and play. (more…)
Recently, the Board of Aldermen met to vote on our city’s budget for the new fiscal year. As a member of the Ways and Means committee, I was proud to work with my colleagues to balance a budget that had a projected $30 million dollar shortfall.
However, I was disappointed that the final bill removed $1 million from the affordable housing programs that serve our city’s most in need. I believe that it’s simply wrong to cut programs that help our residents remain in their homes during one of the worst housing crises in our country’s history; and am adamantly opposed to cutting funding that was created by the tax payers for this specific purpose.
I was the only member to vote no against passing our city’s budget bill; and I am okay with that. I felt it important to take a stand and bring light to this issue. There are too many people in our City who are in need. We must never develop a philospohy that it is okay to balance the budget on the backs of our most low-income and elderly residents.
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund was created for a specific reason, and by law is to be funded at a specific level. By removing these funds and using them for other purposes, I feel is completely wrong.
Posted in News on June 22, 2011
Whether you personally have been a victim of scrap metal theft, or know someone who has, I am sure you have heard the horror stories about the crime. Like families returning to their homes after a nice evening out, only to discover an air conditioner missing from their backyard; or a neighbor ready to depart for the workday who finds his or her car’s catalytic convertor has been hacksawed away for its precious metal.
Scrap metal crimes have increased throughout our City. No longer subject to just vacant, derelict buildings; scrap metal thieves have become emboldened by stealing from construction sites and major downtown businesses. A bill has been introduced at the Board of Aldermen to crackdown on scrap metal thieves and dealers who purchase stolen metal. (more…)
