Even the most optimistic among us would have had a hard time imagining the extent of the good fortune that has come to the CWE over the past few decades and earned it recognition by the American Planning Association as one of “America’s 10 Great Places: Neighborhoods.” The award was presented at a press conference held last Friday around the Maryland Plaza fountain.
Forty years ago, when prospects for the neighborhood were uncertain at best, there were pioneers who appreciated the bones of the CWE and were determined to do what they could to bring the neighborhood back to its former glory. The work of this group, dubbed the “Class of ’72,” was mentioned in remarks by the APA’s Bill Anderson. In fact, every property owner who defied conventional wisdom and accepted the risk of investing in a neighborhood with an uncertain future deserves to be mentioned. An attempt at putting together a partial list can be found further along in the post*.
An all-important behind-the-scenes crew helped turn the press conference into a delightful celebration. Thanks go out to the Maryland Plaza organization, helmed by Ted Koplar, and his staff Frances Thompson, Brittany Zehr, Caitlin, Nathan, Doyle, Chandler and Tony.
Shown arriving at the press conference above are Ted’s wife Nancy, daughter Emily, and Ted and Nancy’s grandchildren.
From left in the photo above, Central West End Association board members Anna Cardot, president Amy Howell, and Anthony Baima of Pulaski Bank seized the opportunity to sign up new members for the Association.
The large crowd included many who contribute to the neighborhood’s ongoing success, including Pete and Donna Rothschild, real estate agent Paul Mittelstadt, and Bob Koplar, above left.
Jim Drinan, above, Executive Director of the APA and former resident of the CWE, said that the 10 Great Neighborhoods Award is given to a community that earns the gold standard in urban planning. He added that St. Louis enjoys the distinction of recently achieving the APA’s triple crown of awards: Great Neighborhood (CWE), Great Streets (Delmar Boulevard in UCity), and Great Parks Award (Forest Park).
*Here is a partial list of a broader “class of 1972” which led the charge to reinvest in the neighborhood. Starting with developers: Leon Strauss, John Roach, Herbie Balaban, Jerry King/Pat Farris (City Equity Corp.), Andy Love/Larry Schiffer (Love Companies), Guy McClellan, Sedgwick Mead, Joe Carpenter, Kevin O’Brien, A. J. Cervantes & Harold Koplar, Don Yatkeman (for acquiring and stabilizing numerous properties until a developer came along), Pete Rothschild, and the Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation.
This group of urban enthusiasts had invaluable support from many sources, including Don Lasater (Chairman, Mercantile Bank), Norman Tice (President, City Bank,) Central West End Savings & Loan (now Pulaski Bank)and Carolyn Toft and the Landmarks Association, among others. Other contributors to the revitalization were Jimmy Miller (for his early efforts on McPherson), single-project developers like Jack Brandt and Derek Burch (also on McPherson), and numerous architects who contributed their talent and high standards to the effort, including Richard Cummings, Phil Cotton, Tom Cohen, Gene Mackey, Kurt Landberg, John Mike Cohen, and Ken Todes.
Please add a comment to this post with additional names…I am sure Jim and I forgot more than a few!
Mayor Francis Slay, above, congratulated 28th Ward Alderman Lyda Krewson, 17th Ward Alderman Joe Roddy, and 18th Ward Alderman Terry Kennedy whose wards encompass the CWE. The mayor also thanked CWEA president Amy Howell for her efforts on behalf of the neighborhood.
Don Roe, St. Louis City’s Director of Planning & Urban Design, left, is shown with Alderman Lyda Krewson and Maryland Plaza’s Ted Koplar.
Mayor Slay with Left Bank Books‘ Kris Kleindienst and Ted Koplar.
Alderman Krewson and Mayor Slay with Chris Holt, left, and Eric Hamblett, middle. Chris and Eric are CWEA board members and the founders of CWE’s TechArtista and Bazaarboy.com.
Photo courtesy of Chris Holt
Following the press conference there was a photo op that includes from left Sam Koplar, Pete Rothschild, Jim Dwyer, Ted Koplar, Sable Campbell-Jones (CWEnder and Director of Diversity/Inclusion for the City of St. Louis), American Planning Association’s Jim Drinan, Mayor Slay, APA President Bill Anderson, Alderman Lyda Krewson, CWEA President Amy Howell. Back row right: CWEnder Tracy Boaz (Missouri Department of Conservation) & APA’s Kevin Neill.
Thanks to Bissinger’s for providing delicious chocolates and sparkling lemonade, and to Scape for the coffee, croissants and the yummy caramel corn, which has been mentioned by everyone I’ve spoken to, just after comments about what a great day it was.
Congratulations to everyone who lives, works and visits the CWE…you are a big part of why it’s been recognized as one of 10 Great Places: Neighborhoods for 2014!
Forgot jack brangle