St. Louis’ Marine Villa Neighborhood Latest Battleground for Ald Schmid
Ald. Schmid, D-20th, survived a brutal spring election whereby many voiced opposition to his leadership in the ward. At the end of the day, more supporters showed up at the polls than opponents. Just when you thought things might calm down for another four year stint, residents of one neighborhood in Schmid’s ward are critical of Schmid’s role as president of the “Improvement Association.”
A recent post on Steve Wilke-Shapiro’s excellent 15thwardSTL site about a sunshine law bill sponsored by Ald Schmid quickly turned to the issue of the Marine Villa neighborhood. The first comment called into question the alderman for the area acting as president of the neighborhood as well as his reluctance to turn over a copy of bylaws to members once requested. This drew a response from a former resident, Joe Frank:
I was secretary of Marine Villa Improvement Association during part of 2001-02 when we were trying to reactivate the organization after a long period of dormancy. Just to get things going, we decided to use the original 1969 bylaws, so that we could have something semi-legal to go by. Those included silly statements like “no members of a Communist or activist group” may join.
The following from “MV Resident” seems to sum up an opposing perspective:
Marine Villa has seen a resurgence of new residents who want to be equally involved in their neighborhood as Craig. Unfortunately Craig does not give them this opportunity. Residents of Marine Villa have repeatedly tried to become more involved in the MVIA by becoming elected officials, chairing committees etc. As president, Craig would not allow this. When MVIA members asked for the bylaws, Craig refused to provide them. It wasn’t until a large group of Marine Villa residents sent him a letter voicing their displeasure that Craig disclosed the bylaws, agreed to elections, allowed the formation of committees and a formal agenda for the meeting. All of this lasted only one meeting. Last meeting Craig did not have an agenda, copies of the bylaws or committee sign up sheets.
And these hard to find bylaws dating to 1969? Yes, I have them for you to read in full (click here for 2-page bylaws in PDF format). So any of you socialist party or activist group members please note that if you are “recruiting members or causing a confrontation at a meeting” you will be “asked to leave quietly.” Interestingly, as a non-partisan organization I wonder if Ald. Schmid used his “title” as President of the organization during the recent campaign? If so, this would appear to violate Article III, section D.
The by-laws call for elections of officers every two years although some say elections haven’t happened in a while. The President is responsible for creating a nominating committee.
Marine Villa is #18 on the city’s list of 79 neighborhoods (see alphabetical list). The website linked to from that list is one of the old fashioned ones dating back to the late 90s (ancient in web terms). Right away you can see the next general meeting is April 23, 2007 while the next board meeting is “to be announced.” Scroll down just a tad and you’ll see about a fire hydrant painting event from 2002, bulk trash pickup news from 2006 and 2007 and then another 2004 event.
A history page talks about the origins of the name of the neighborhood:
The name and boundaries of this tiny enclave came into existence in 1968. It is theorized that the name was chosen as tribute to the large number of rivermen that once had their own community in this area. The old Marine Hospital, one of several hospitals authorized by an act of Congress in 1837 for the treatment of sick and disabled rivermen, was located at Marine and Winnebago Street, a site currently occupied by the National Record of Archives.
So the neighborhood is named for a hospital that no longer exists. Hmmm…
I really don’t care for these “improvement associations” either. These bylaws focus on “strict application of zoning” which is a bad idea really given how suburban focused our zoning really is. Come on, the guys that wrote our zoning wanted to replace Soulard with a suburban cul-de-sac subdivision!
Also keep in mind that when many of these were formed in the late 1960s we had over 600,000 in population (619,269 as of 1970 census) vs only 353,837 as of July 1, 2006 (see prior post on census figures). Times have changed over the decades as zoning, demographic shifts, attitudes and policies have caused our population to plummet nearly 60% since 1970. To some, this reduction in density is good. While having too many people stuffed into a housing unit (aka overcrowding) is bad, having more housing units is a good thing (minimum density to support retail, transit, etc…).
Gentrification is often thought of in terms of white folks pushing out minority groups or similarly those of middle to upper incomes pushing out lower economic segments. I believe in Marine Villa and in other parts of the city we are seeing a new, and much needed, form of gentrification — pushing out of the ‘I hate cities’ people that have been ruining our city for decades — the types that want all neighborhoods to have only single-family owner occupied housing units, to have fewer total units (aka reduce density), to enact policies which discourage small business districts over sprawling auto-focused strip & big box centers. People can tell you they live in the city, love the city and on and on but actions speak louder than words. For example, the fountain where Chippewa, Broadway and Jefferson meet was not designed to be a community gathering spot. In fact, it was designed to discourage gathering of any kind. This “improvement” is a hostile element in the city.
Another website exists for the improvement association at http://www.marinevilla.org. While attractive I think this site is just getting started. I’m not certain if Schmid is behind this or those who seek different leadership, or quite possibly someone in the middle. Regardless, I think good marketing is critical to attracting new residents, businesses and fresh capital.
Marine Villa is oddly defined with edges of interesting stuff along both Jefferson and Cherokee. Some interesting stuff is taking shape along old buildings on Broadway at Chippewa. Great potential exists in the building stock, the interesting topography, and the street pattern. One of my favorite views of the city is to look south-ish down Marine Ave from Chippewa (map link). From here you get a great view of the Mississippi and on a clear day, the JB Bridge. I was on a bike ride with a friend the first time I saw this view — it took my breath away as it was totally unexpected. For those of you that think St. Louis is flat, bike around this neighborhood for a while.
I will continue to watch the goings on in the neighborhood although I doubt I can attend any of their meetings. The main issue for me is they fall on the same night as the city’s Preservation Board so that usually trumps other things on my schedule.
I just want to add that the next meeting of the MVIA is:
Monday, August 27th 6:30 p.m.
St. Alexius Hospital (Peterson Hall)
Alert city dwellers would notice that the Marine Villa Improvement Assoc. doesn’t actually meet in Marine Villa.
Also, we do have the new website http://www.marinevilla.org and there is even a blog. It is very new, I’ll be posting some history info as I do research, and there’s lots of other things to add. Craig was not involved in the website at all. It was some interested residents who took it upon themselves to see that we got a decent website that is updated regularly. We discussed marketing and the website on our yahoogroup (marinevilla@yahoogroups.com, please join!) and a marketing committee formed out of that, but our inquiries to Craig about certain issues involving marketing and MVIA were never answered. If you want to change something I figure it is best to take it upon yourself, and that is what we are doing.
And in regards to the name… I did do some research and the Marine Villa Hospital was built in the 1850s and torn down around WWII. The former site is where the National Records Administration has their building now, which was built in the 1950s. The current logo, which was designed around 1969, shows the old hospital. Part of remarketing will be to design a new logo, but it was met with great resistance. And that’s all I’ll say about that for now.
What is up with Alderman? Why must it be their way or the highway in terms of community action? I have heard so much about Schmid that I wonder why he was re-elected.
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I have never met him though I have seen him pick up trash along Broadway and Chippewa ALONE. I wondered if he couldn’t get any help or if nobody wants to help him.
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The point of my note here is Alderman should work with their residents/community. It takes more than one person to bring back a neighborhood.
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(On a side note, When are the next aldermanic elections?)
I was just wondering what Schmid was up to today and I’m looking to move to that area as well … a timely post. Thanks!
The fountain where Chippewa, Broadway and Jefferson was a Schmid project and, by the way, Schmid lives on this block!
Yes, Schmid certainly picks up a lot of trash and good for him. He’s been out in full force lately. I think there is more to being an alderman or a neighborhood assoc. president than picking up trash. Like responding to constituents. If you don’t see people helping him pick the trash up it is because he hasn’t told anyone he going to be doing that, or he has alienated so many people that they aren’t interested in helping him. I assure you there are active neighbors who pick up trash, organize their blocks, report problems, etc. Personally I would rather spend time picking up the trash on my own block than the trash on the parking lot of Hollywood Video or QT.
Lori- if you want more info on the neighborhood I would be glad to show you around. Please join the yahoogroup and you’re welcome to attend the block party on my block tomorrow (Tuesday) night: 3400 block of Missouri at 7pm.
I will have to find my fliers from the election to see if he did use this position on his info or not. I do remember hearing about it, but it could have been from other sources.
I’m going to remain silent on my views about the situation with our Alderman, as I’m sure most people know how I feel.
I don’t remember if the flier had that information on it or not.
I am curious to find out. Amber please speak your mind, a lot people think Schmid is wonderful because he picks up trash! People don’t know the real Schmid. That he is not open to anything new. That he uses his power to bullies business and home owners.
“I believe in Marine Villa and in other parts of the city we are seeing a new, and much needed, form of gentrification — pushing out of the ‘I hate cities’ people that have been ruining our city for decades — the types that want all neighborhoods to have only single-family owner occupied housing units, to have fewer total units (aka reduce density), to enact policies which discourage small business districts over sprawling auto-focused strip & big box centers.”
Well said!
You would think Craig would be happy to see all the newbie’s moving into the MV neighborhood but all he does is complain about it. You would think he would be thrilled to have all of this new found involvement in the neighborhood but all he does is question it. Craig is terrified of change and he tries to make our elderly neighbors fearful of it as well. He needs to be an alderman and let the neighbors run the Marine Villa Neighborhood Association. Does anyone else know of an alderperson who is the president of a neighborhood association?
Craig has done an okay job, but it is time for a change. I believe the Marine Villa Neighborhood is ready to set sail into the 21st century and it’s time to get rid of the dead weight.
I think Phyliss Young 7th Ward Alderwoman runs the Soulard neighborhood meeting…. NOT!!
I can’t believe anyone could judge an alderman as effective because he picks up trash. This is typical Craig. Instead of requiring the owners of the Hollywood Video or QT to clean up thier own mess, he does it for them. He will do anything to avoid confrontation. Maybe he should introduce a bill to require business that create large amounts of trash to spend funds to pick it up. As a matter of fact,this would be good for the whole city.
By the way, it also seems he uses the Marine Villa Neighborhood Improvment Assoication meeting as his personal Ward meeting. When the sign in sheet was passed at the last meeting I saw many address from the west side of Jefferson. This should be MVIA meeting FIRST.
This little bug named Craig should be squashed as soon as possible.
If Craig spent more time working on meeting agendas and commitee creation and less time picking up trash we would have a more effective neighborhood organization.
“Benton Park South” Hey, that’s pretty clever. Nicely obliterates that whole Gravois Park reputation problem. Change a few state street names to flowery suburban ones and you’ve got a full blown neighborhood re-branding strategy!
I think Benton Park South would be Marine Villa, not Gravois Park. Gravois Park would be Benton Park South-West, or what I like to call, Soulard West-South-West.
Benton Park South is a name that realtors have been using to describe- well, anything south of Benton Park all the way to Gasconade. In reality there is no “Benton Park South” neighborhood. But it’s not completely inaccurate because the S. side of Cherokee St. south to S. Broadway is the Marine Villa NEIGHBORHOOD but is located in the Benton Park NATIONAL REGISTER DISTRICT. So you could call it the Benton Park historic district and be right, and of course everyone calls it Benton Park anyway. Not too many people realize that if you’re in Antique Row or the Lemp Brewery you’re in Marine Villa. Sometimes it feels like our little triangle is our own neighborhood, not quite BP and not quite MV. And with all the problems with the MVIA being our own neighborhood sounds very good!
Of course historically I think our triangle has more in common with Benton Park and I think the NR nomination did the boundaries right. Most of these houses were built for people working at AB and Lemp breweries. The city neighborhood boundaries are quite arbitrary and Steve’s discussed before how Cherokee St. should be the center of neighborhoods not the divider. But we’re in MV for better or worse. And it doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s still a great neighborhood.
I just thought of something. I pick up trash all the time and I’m even known to talk a little as well. Maybe I should run for alderperson!
HEY, I pick up trash, too! I like art, I even go to art museums and I don’t think alcohol is the down fall of society.
The meeting after Craig was sent a letter voicing the displeasure of a number of Marine Villa residents Craig tried to turn things into an Us versus Craig issue. He talked about how the new residents just south of Cherokee were trying to take the neighborhood organization away from them (him). Craig could not be further away from the truth. The purpose of what we are doing is to inject some life into the stagnant MVIA. Craig has been the president for a long time and has had a chance to both implement his ideas and see them through. For whatever reason, the residents of Marine Villa are not responding to his leadership. Membership is down (before we started recruiting people total membership was 15), meeting attendance is down, the treasury has very limited funds and there is little or no support from local businesses. We want to change that.
What is happening with the MVIA is reflective of what is happening throughout the 20th Ward. Craig has been the Alderman and MVIA president for a long time. Obviously he has done something right over the past ten years or he would not have been reelected multiple times. I believe his leadership was effective in the old 20th Ward and the old Marine Villa. Over the past decade both the 20th Ward and Marine Villa have changed dramatically. The last election and what is happening in the MVIA is proof of this change. The new residents don’t want to sit back and watch Craig run things. They want to be involved. They want to volunteer and be part of their neighborhood organization. They want to take risks and turn boarded up buildings into bars and restaurants. Cherokee Street has everything necessary for a successful residential and entertainment district. The only thing stopping it is Craig and his refusal to allow his constituents dictate what happens in the 20th ward.
Allowing entrepreneurial people to develop in less than desirable neighborhoods is something that has been successful all over this country and the world with HUGE success. It is something that has been successful in almost every ward in St. Louis except the 20th. Craig is a lawyer, why doesn’t he look at precedents. I can not see how he can make the argument that run down buildings that house drug dealers, gangsters and homeless people are more beneficial to the community than legitimate bars that are owned and frequented by residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. Good bars would not only promote the area by bringing people there it would also raise tax revenue. I am not in support of just giving out liquor licenses to just anyone who wants to open a bar but it is wrong to refuse liquor licenses across the board.
“Lead, Follow or get out of the way”
AMEN BROTHER EDDIE!!!!
What antique row needs is a crotchet doily shop. How quick would Craig approve of that business plan? All the blue-hairs that go to the Marine Villa/Gravois Park neighborhood meetings would love to have a high-quality doily resting on the arm of their couch while they watch their stories. And ‘the others’ are GUARANTEED not to go there, unlike a bar. Nobody would go there, it’d be perfect!
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