REVITALIZING THE GRAVOIS BUSINESS CORRIDOR

COUNTY PLANNING OFFICIALS MEET WITH ACIA MEMBERS

The high degree of concern among Affton residents for the loss of many businesses over the past year triggered a meeting between ACIA members and County officials. Attending from St. Louis County were Jonathan Boesch, Special Assistant to the County Executive, Glenn Powers, Director of Planning, Lori Fiegel, Comprehensive Planning Manager and Eric Fey, Assistant to 5th District Councilman Pat Dolan. ACIA president Larry Stone jump started the discussion by indicating that there is a high degree of concern among Affton residents for the increased loss of businesses especially along the Gravois corridor. "The time has come to set a new course to proactively focus on revitalizing the Affton Gravois business corridor and, in so doing, enhance the tax base." Lori Fiegel well articulated several past efforts by the County and certain local stakeholder organizations to do just that. The creation of new in-fill housing in the Lakewood and Gardenville areas was accomplished and grants were obtained to improve business facades along the Gravois corridor by the planting of trees, the strategic placement of large flower urns, the installation of banners on light posts and a comprehensive effort to meet with and give counsel and advice to every business owner was employed. While not negating past efforts by the County and other local stakeholder organizations, Larry Stone stated "It's now going to take more than cosmetic changes to achieve the type of revitalization of the Affton Gravois Business District we would like to see occur."  Several ACIA members then stated their desire to see the Affton Gravois business corridor revitalized to mirror the type of image now being presented by the incorporated areas of Maplewood, Kirkwood and Old Orchard in Webster Groves. Lori Fiegel and Glenn Powers then spoke to the manner in which Maplewood has accomplished  the revitalization of its business district using a variety of stakeholders. Most important was the "buy in" by Maplewood's business owners. That was, and is, an important factor in the positive outcome there.  Glenn and Lori then both indicated that they were scheduled to speak to the Affton Chamber of Commerce early in 2014. Several ACIA members, who are also members of the Affton Chamber of Commerce, concurred with Glenn and Lori that revitalization of the Affton Gravois Corridor should and, in fact, must be brought before the Chamber members. "If we need the buy in of businesses to be successful with this proposed revitalization, we have to get them on board!" a Chamber member stated. Two other Chamber members, who are, in fact, Chamber Board members, suggested that Chamber programming, which has been highly educational on a myriad of topics should perhaps going forward be more focused on soliciting the thoughts and ideas of Affton business owners related to the corridor revitalization. Glenn Powers and Lori Fiegel then strongly proposed the formation of a coalition of community leaders to potentially include the Executive Director of the Affton Chamber of Commerce, the President of the Affton Community Involvement Association, the Superintendents of the Affton and Bayless School Districts, both County Councilman who represent Affton (Messrs. Pat Dolan and Steve Stenger), the Special Assistant to the County Executive, officials from the County Planning Department and other parties (to be determined).  That suggestion was met with spontaneous verbal approval by members of the Affton Community Involvement Association.  (More on this topic as its becomes available).