St. Louis Arch Grants by Michale Ward

Hello everyone my name is Michale Ward, I am so eager to be working in the 6th Ward as an intern for Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett. I am a Senior at Harris Stowe State University majoring in Urban Affairs minor in Urban Studies planning to graduate May, 2012.

Michale Ward, Intern

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the press event, launching the creation of Arch Grants. The Arch Grants Foundation was created to help young entrepreneurs and professionals create businesses and remain in our area.

The Arch Grants is relevant because its a new program offering a $50,000.00 incentive for new successful start ups in downtown St. Louis.

The Arch Grants is a competitive, rigorous process, in addition to the $50,000 cash prize, recipients also receive business mentoring, housing, office, and retail discounts, along with free legal and accounting services. Award recipients will also have  a chance to compete for a second round grant of up to $100,000 .

This is exciting for the City of St. Louis.  The Arch Grants not only creates a national buzz, but allows St. Louis to be the center of creating a strong support  system for local start up companies.

What does Arch Grant mean to me? It gives college graduates an opportunity who are looking for work in the business field to have a great opportunity with Arch grants as they are looking for young entrepreneurs who are willing to stay in the St. Louis area .

I think it also gives residents in the 6th ward an opportunity as well. Downtown is part of the 6th Ward, and this opportunity presents more jobs and more prominence for our community and City.

My name is Angelica Small, and I will be working as an intern for the 6th Ward with Kacie Starr Triplett. This is a very exciting time for me working with Kacie, as I have admired her work for the city of St. Louis for so long. My field of study is Urban Affairs/Urban Studies. From this experience I want to get a feel for public service, media relations, community development and a broader sense of how the 6th ward serves the community!

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!

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.

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.

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.

Why a solar powered mobile speed trailer?

After speaking with the police and their needs, it was determined that to assist with speeding motorists and increase safety in our community, a solar powered trailer was needed. The current ones in use could only be out in service for a certain amount of time, due to battery drainage. By this speed trailer being solar powered, the speed trailer can have the best and greatest use to help improve safety in our community.

Pictured are: Chief Isom  Christine Ingrassia, Liz Lohman, Judy Ferber, Dave Seifert, Katie O’Brien, Sgt. John Sabin, Officer Joe Calabro, Lt. Darla Gray, and lil’ Jack Ingrassia

Jack Ingrassia

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 6^th 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 6^th Ward residents need to know.  To make owning a pet so much easier, here
are 5 things you should know:

1. Vaccination- Pets mush
be vaccinated every year.  There are
penalties, fines, and pets may be taken away from owner for not being
vaccinated

2. Spay and Neuter Requirement-
There will be a law soon about spaying and neutering your pets.

3. Pet owners will be
required to tag or microchip their pets.

4. Leashing- Leash should
not be longer than 6 feet in length. Leashes cannot be rope, chain; they must
be a dog leash. Pets should not be left outside longer than 4 hours at a time

5. Owning An Aggressive
Breed – The owner must provide the Commissioner of Health the following
information: Name, Address, Name of Pet, Photo of pet, Name of veterinarian and the pet’s immunization number.
Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe this Summer

• Provide plenty of
  shade for outdoor animals.
• Provide fresh cool
  water daily for outdoor animals.
• Never leave animals
  alone in a vehicle.
• Watch for coolant
  leaking from your vehicle – drinking just a small amount can cause
  death.
• Do not force your
  animal to exercise after a meal in hot, humid weather and limit exercise
  to early morning or evening hours.
• Never leave your
  pet standing on asphalt surfaces.
• Pets can get
  sunburned too, and your pet may require sunscreen on the nose and ear
  tips.

During my time in the 6^th Ward community
office, I’ve gained valuable interpersonal communication, organizational,
research and writing skills while advocating for responsible pet ownership
and, hopefully, making the 6^th Ward a better place in which to
live. It has been a pleasure to work with and for you.

Sincerely,
Raquel Booker , Senior at Soldan High School

“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)

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!

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.

Why I Voted Against Passage of the City Budget - Several weeks ago, I had to make a difficult decision. That difficult decision resulted in me voting NO against the passage of our City budget.  This was a difficult decision, because as a member of the Ways & Means committee, I understand the dire financial straits our City is in.  Having served on this committee for the past four years, I am well versed in the difficult decisions our city has made in order to balance our almost 900M dollar budget.  With all that being said, I still made a decision to vote NO  based on principle. In 2001, City residents worked tirelessly to place an initiative petition on the city ballot to create Affordable Housing Trust Fund.  This trust fund would create an Affordable Housing Commission dedicated to providing affordable housing construction and programs in the City of St. Louis.  The idea was, that if we have a diverse, quality housing stock in our city more families will relocate to the inner core and help sustain and stabilize our neighborhoods.  City voters apparently agreed because the measure passed overwhelmingly. The agreement was simple:  A Use Tax would be implemented; meaning that businesses who purchased goods out of state would be levied a small 2 percent tax.  This tax money would be split in a fund to provide affordable housing for low-income residents and health care services for our poor and under insured.  The agreement was that both funds would be funded at minimum $5.5 million dollars each year.

For the past two years, in an effort to plug holes in our city budget, money has been taken from the Affordable Housing budget and placed in the city’s general revenue fund.  I am convinced the voters are unaware that this is happening.  How do you feel after being told to vote for money to go to a specific program (in this case — affordable housing) but then later realize, that politicians have instead taken that money and used it for something else? I have a big problem with this; and don’t mean to sound self-righteous or stand on my soapbox too long; but I think it completely unfair, immoral and unprincipled to use this money for any other intended purpose than what the voters voted for.  Also, I believe it to be double horrendous to take this money away from our city’s poor and elderly; espcially in this tough economy. I made the decision that I wouldn’t support a budget that balances itself on the backs of our most low-income and elderly.  This is the second year in a row this has happened. The first year, I held my nose and went ahead voted for passage.  After the second year and an obvious pattern of taking money from the Affordable Housing Commission I decided to take a stand and vote NO.

Its worth noting that after sharing my concerns with Ways & Means Chairwoman, Ald. April Ford-Griffin about this pattern of taking money from the Affordable Housing Commission,  and working with several of my colleagues on the committee, during the budget amendment process, money was found to restore the cuts that were made to the Affordable Housing budget.  (As the Ways and Means committee, we are able to make recommendations to our City’s Estimate and Apportionment Board which consists of the Mayor, Comptroller and Board of Aldermen President for budget cuts and additions.)  Unfortunately, our City’s E&A board made additions to other areas in the budget to restore funding but opted not to increase any funding to the Affordable Housing Commission. That, city residents, is a shame and why I decided to vote No.

Crime Prevention Programs for our Youth

The City will begin the process of requesting proposals for Crime Prevention programs geared towards our youth under the age of 18. Stay tuned for more information for neighborhood associations, local church and social service programs who are eligible to apply for over $800,000.00 in funding for crime prevention programs.