Old Orchard Business District Advisory Commission

Old Orchard Special Business District Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Tuesday, January 14, 2020 LOCATION: City Hall CALLED TO ORDER: 8:02 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:55 AM NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, February 11, 2020 NAME PRESENT ABSENT Joe Fichter, Chair X Angel Venegoni X Claire Winkler X Holland Saltsman X Robert Weber X John Barr X Steve Zielinski X Vacancy Vacancy Bud Bellomo, Council Liaison X Mara Perry, City Liaison X Also in attendance: Detective Fred Bell – WGPD Community Resource Officer Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the December minutes as was made by Steve Zielinski, seconded by Angel Venegoni was unanimously approved. Webster-Kirkwood Times Spring Ads Commission Members discussed running additional gang-page style ads in the Webster-Kirkwood Times during the spring, similar to the one the District subsidizes during the holiday season, with the goal of bringing people into the district to shop, dine, and do business. The space along the borders of the ad is used for District information. Perhaps one could have a list of Old Orchard businesses of various types, another could be focused on a Love Local/Shop & Dine Valentine’s Day theme, and another could be focused on the upcoming Gazebo Series. Mara will pull together of list of Old Orchard businesses for further discussion on a possible “listing” ad for April. MOTION: Holland Saltsman made a motion to run a Love Local/Shop & Dine Valentine’s Day themed subsidized gang-page style ad in the Webster-Kirkwood Times in February. The motion was seconded by Angel Venegoni and unanimously approved. Gazebo Series Joe Fichter suggested dates for two Gazebo Series planning meetings need to be set for February and April. Commission Members were encouraged to attend the planning meetings as well as interested Old Orchard business owners. Dale Ashauer, last year’s lead organizer, will need to attend as well. Page 1of 2 Budget Discussion Commission Members reviewed expense items on the current and past years’ budgets as well as a history of incoming revenue in order to start planning for next year’s budget. Discussion revolved around the status of existing projects and possible new projects to pursue. Items discussed included the completion of new District banners, completion and long-term maintenance of rooftop lighting projects, decor items for new lampposts in the current streetscape project, the next streetscape project for the other side of Big Bend between Murdoch and Dale, storefront and/or signage improvement programs, flashing pedestrian crossing signs, a traffic study, expanding Civil Alchemy’s Fall Festival to a District-Wide event. Mara Perry will have available at next month’s meeting various costs, updates, and program information on items discussed so decisions can be made. Commission Vacancies The Commission has three vacancies. Commission Members discussed some possible businesses to target. All members need to actively recruit their business neighbors to apply to fill theses slots. BDC Update The Webster Groves restaurant interactive GIS mapping application will be ready to go very soon. Restaurant’s info can appear on up to three tabs; i.e. types of cuisine or late-night dining, etc. The application will be a link on the City’s website; it works well on smart phones. After the restaurant application is complete, additional applications will be added such as historic walks, public art, etc. City Update • Le Macaron in the former Vibrant Scoop-A Pilates and Wellness Studio location in the Old Webster Business District has obtained their Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and is under construction. • The parking plan still needs to be submitted for review for the Olive + Oak, Perennial Artisan Ales, et al. project at the former Auto Beauty Specialists location in the Old Webster Business District. • Guerilla Street Food in the former Tropical Moose/The Crimson Petal in the Old Orchard Business District opened on January 7, 2020. • The Zeta Dell Business Neighborhood has a new building construction at 749 Marshall for Jennifer Silverberg Photography; a live-in/work studio space. • The Initial Design in the Old Webster Business District is under new ownership. • The Webster Wok in the Old Orchard Business District is under new ownership. • Valvoline Instant Oil Change has replaced Jiffy Lube at Laclede Station Road and Big Bend business area. • The Planning Department is working with potential new businesses at the former Porter Paints location in the Crossroads Business District as well as a potential business that is looking at multiple locations in the Old Orchard and Old Webster Business Districts. • Construction of The Elle on Lockwood in the former YMCA location continues. • Construction is completing on the Regions Bank’s building at the site of the former Gerber Chapel location in the Old Webster Business District. The second building for retail, will be under a different owner. ADJOURNED Meeting adjourned at 8:55 AM. Page 2of 2