https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/33206/mckee_alderman_perfection_vote
I guess I just couldn’t stay away from the subject. I reviewed the article, "Board of Aldermen gives initial passage to NorthSide TIF bills," on the St. Louis Beacon site. The article date is October 11, 2013, by Jason Rosenbaum. So what’s the latest on the North Side Regeneration Project of Paul McKee’s undertaking? The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has approved the bill requesting tax increment financing for the project, and the bills are now set to go before Mayor Francis Slay. That means that the majority of the Board is now on board with this project.
I was curious as to what caused Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr., who was
originally opposed to the project, to change his mind. He shared my sentiment, concern that
the original residents of the area would get “a kick in the butt.” The article states that, when asked
about why he changed his mind, he took a ride through the neighborhood with Mr.
McKee. He pointed out the
difference between being told about a plan and actually seeing the vacant lots
in need of redevelopment. I wonder
if there’s more to be read into this sudden change of heart. Wouldn’t he have been aware of and
reviewed the area prior to making a decision for or against the project? …Seems basic to me. Perhaps some ‘under the table’ promises
were made?
Alderman Antonio French was one of the voters who delayed the vote for
a few days by not appearing at a meeting, to ensure that enough “committee
members would be present to even have a chance to alter the bill.” Although
McKee originally said that 25% of this project’s jobs would go to North Side
residents, French added an amendment to a city law that requires that
low-income city residents receive entry level jobs. Alderwoman Tamika Hubbard
added amendments to include funds for repair to existing properties in the
area, and for $1 million to go towards strategic planning in the area.
In reference to the reading, I will identify the participants in this
project. There were many social
service agents who initiated other projects in the community. For example, North Grand Neighborhood
Services, who share a similar housing goal, identified the same type of need in
the community on a smaller scale.
Alderpersons and community people were aware of the issues, but in this
instance, Paul McKee identified particular ‘blighted’ areas that had not yet
been addressed, and can be seen as the Initiator System. He can also be identified as the Change
Agent, the person responsible for “leadership and coordination in the early
stages of the change effort”.
There are several Support Systems, including programs like Better
Family Life, Ranken Technical College, SLATE, Job Corps, etc. The Controlling System is the Board of
Aldermen and the Mayor of St. Louis City.
The Implementing System is McKee and his organization, which will carry
out the activities in support of the change. The Target System is the Olde North St. Louis City. The Action System is McKee along with
all of the other agencies that make up the Support System, who will have an
active role in moving the project toward implementation.
Yes, one would think as alderman, you'd have basic knowledge of the area.........
ReplyDeleteI'm very hopeful that McKee's project will be a good thing. I have little patience with the "plan and replan and replan and then abandon it all " that seems to go on so often. I want someone to just DO something!
And I get that he made it harder on himself by not getting community support from the beginning. I hope that people will look at his plans with unbiased eyes and judge the plans on their merits, not on their feelings about McKee.
Adrienne, you did a great job of tying this article and the reading together. The more I read about it, the more distaste I have for McKee and his idea of renovation. I haven't had the opportunity to go, but the community he built in St. Charles Co., 'WingHaven', sounds like the most bland, homogenous, cookie-cutter community possible. North St. Louis does have major concerns, but trading in those concerns for the history and character that the neighborhood DOES have (which will be paved over if McKee has his way) is a tough call. But it does seem like it is a compromise that many politicians are ready to make.
ReplyDeleteAdrienne, you always seem to have something insightful to add to any conversation and your postings have both been incredibly in-depth and thoughtful. I read the same article, but I didn't have nearly the inklings about it that you did. Now that you mention it, it DOES seem a bit strange that Alderman Bosley would have a change of heart over something as simple as seeing the area for himself. Maybe that is all that happened . . . maybe he fell a bit out of touch and needed to be reminded of the area's possibilities. On the other hand, there is almost always more than what can be reported in these instances. Overall? I want this to work out, but I can't help but feel that some people are going to fall through the cracks again.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you posted about this again. I think it is an important to be informed about these potential projects in communities around the area. Although it does seem strange that the Alderman changed his feelings after a mere visit to the community, I'm glad he did physically go. It actually surprised me more that he hadn't visited it before he provided any input on projects that have potential in the area.
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