By Antonio D. French
Filed Thursday, May 04, 2006 at 7:35 PM
Last night, the St. Louis City Planning Commission approved a proposal that would allow Barnes Jewish Hospital to purchase or lease a portion of Forest Park. Click here to read our earlier story. Labels: Parks
Here are some videos from the meeting. We apologize for the horrible sound quality. There were no functioning microphones at the meeting and our cameras, like many people in the audience, struggled to pick up all of the commissioners' words.
This video is of the actual vote:
This video is of Deputy Mayor Barb Geisman from before the vote:
This video is of Brandyn Jones who works in Aldermanic Board Pres. Jim Shrewsbury's office. She said that Shrewsbury agrees with Comptroller Darlene Green that this proposal should wait until a new appraisal is completed.
For those of you C-SPAN types, 24 unedited minutes from the meeting are waiting for you at www.pubdefweekly.com/videos/forestpark
8 Comments:
What happened We. night was a bunch of Francis Slay's cronies pushed through HIS plan.
It happens all the time.
St. Louis residents no longer control thier own city. Big business (civic progress, RBC) tells Mayor Slay what to do and he does it behind closed doors and without public input. Then he tries to jam it down our throats.
But hey, I didn't vote for him and won't in 09. Perhaps some of you out there should join me.
5/05/2006 9:02 AM
I am always baffled by the Hatred for Mayor Slay...
The Mayor Haters will take the other side of the issue out of spite, no matter how much it defies common sense.
5/05/2006 10:01 AM
It's funny that people will trash George Bush for letting corporations run the country but are cheerleaders for Slay doing the same thing.
Slay & crew has nothing but contempt for the average citizen's intelligence. Geisman's performance is so arrogant and dumb that it's almost camp. But she knows she can get away with it.
5/05/2006 10:11 AM
Anony 2:
Lack of common sense from Francis Slay and his lackeys is exactly what I am upset about.
Common sense (as exhibited by Comptroller Green and President Shrewsbury) says that if the city leases this park land, it should get the best deal possible.
The Francis Slay plan wants to appease the rich and powerful, not the people.
5/05/2006 10:18 AM
For an administration that uses the words, "more accountability" at every opportunity in public, its actions continually undermine that mantra.
Too bad it continues to squander opportunities to build public trust.
5/05/2006 10:42 AM
Little public involvement? The media coverage has been extensive. And this was the most heavily attended Planning Commission meeting yet, since its rebirth some six years ago.
5/05/2006 1:05 PM
Sure, it's passed the Planning Commission, but the really crucial votes are yet to come: Board of Aldermen and E&A.
It may sail through the Board of Aldermen, although presumably Shrewsbury will vote not.
E&A is where the real battle will be fought.
The conditions I would add to this lease, if I had the power, include:
1) Annual payment increases indexed to inflation, minimum 3% increase each year;
2) Lease proceeds must be used 50% for capital improvements in city parks, 50% for operating costs;
3) Any and all specific plans for use of the land must be reviewed by the Forest Park Advisory Board or its successors during the entire term of the lease;
4) A "right of re-entry" clause if BJC does not uphold its end of the agreement; (that might already be in the lease, I don't know)
5) All recreational facilities must be replaced either within Forest Park or on property owned by BJC or purchased by them for this purpose, within 6 months of the effective date of the new lese, and within 1/2-mile of the location. This includes the playground, tennis courts, and racquetball courts.
5/06/2006 12:37 AM
Joe:
Good points, but I don't completely agree with #5. The remainder of Forest Park is certainly large enough to house the relocated facilities. Or perhaps even Turtle park. I don't see a need for new land to be purchased. But, otherwise very good points.
6/18/2006 2:12 AM
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