Cherokee Street Bazaar / Fort Gondo Sidewalk Sale (Hours Extended)

Galen Gondolfi will be selling a lot of his antique wares at Fort Gondo this Sunday from 10 am – 3pm.   This corresponds with a bazaar on the rest of the street.  If you’re looking to get some retro furniture then be sure to stop by.  Half of all sales pays off Friends of the San Luis remaining debt.

More Info:

CALLING ALL HOARDERS! The Cherokee Bizarre Bazaar / Flea Market is happening June 27th! Do you have amazing & delightful things that you would like to part with? Do you bake delicious treats? Do you make neato stuffs? We’re looking for folks who want to get rid of (and buy) clothes, records, books, comics, music equipment, toys, crafts, kitsch, vintage etc…only $10 to register/ reserve space. Last day to reserve space is Friday June 25th.
We’ll have live entertainment, treats, drinks and lots o’ fun!

Contact us to get your table at mail@binge-purge.com or call
314-771-8870 (Store phone, Wednesday through Sunday 12-7) or
314-757-8412 (cell # anytime)

More details can be found on the facebook event page.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/eve … 3283&ref=m

Prevention through Legislation

While the Friends of the San Luis had hoped for a ruling by the Court of Appeals that would have affirmed the public interest rights of the community, we accept the ruling issued last week.  We will not appeal the cause further, but instead will rededicate ourselves to the outreach and education needed to prevent future losses.

At the start, we sought remedy to a loophole in the St. Louis preservation ordinance that requires a stay of demolition to appeal meaningfully an action by the Preservation Board.  We have always maintained that stakeholders should not have to undertake extraordinary legal measures to assert a right of standing implicit in the ordinance.

However, we appealed the circuit court ruling expressly to clarify that right for future preservation battles – even after we lost the building that united us.  Our hope has been that no other citizens would have to go to the troubles that we have.  Unfortunately, they probably will.  While the aldermen who passed the ordinance apparently intended for there to be a legitimate right to appeal – a necessary check and balance system — the Court has found that the wording is insufficient to explicitly endorse that right.

The Court of Appeals ruling suggests that the ultimate remedy is not judicial but legislative.  The city preservation law is a wonderful example of government recognition of the public interest in historic preservation and urban planning, but it has a major weakness in leaving the public right to appeal as clear as red brick.  That should change.

While we are disappointed, we are at least encouraged that the ruling has unequivocally identified an aspect of the city’s preservation ordinance that needs to be clarified by our representatives in order to ensure due process in the fair and transparent mediation of disputes.

Soulard Stable Hootenanny Tomorrow

After watching the St. Louis Centre Skybridge come down this Friday, don’t forget to support historic preservation in St. Louis this Saturday by spending only 10 dollars for quality entertainment!  In addition to the acoustic splendor of three fantastic bands, local icon Bill Streeter will screen a two minute clip of his upcoming film Brick by Chance and Fortune. We must take a stand for our built environment or at least tomorrow dance and sing!

Identity conflict involving the demolition of historic structures for generic glass condominiums spurs debate in other cities, though in St. Louis — for many decades — we choose replacement with parking structures.  This practice devalues our City stymieing the establishment of true neighborhoods whether artistic and creative or the more homogeneous (where these “luxury” glass condos would exist).  Whether gritty and edgy or more sterile, neither outcome will be affirmed when parking becomes the pervasive land use dominating the street scape.

St. Louis must invest in itself if it seeks any purpose beyond subordination to others within the Region.  If demolitions continue our burgeoning neighborhoods, from Cherokee Street to Washington Avenue, will not reach their potential.  Decisions being made now will echo for decades.  Your continued support remains ever appreciated and will be needed in future advocacy for our irreplaceable buildings.  Together we can promote smart building practices which supports our progressive spirit and honors our cosmopolitan heritage!

San Luis Appeal in The Daily Record

Anti-Wrecking Ball Soulard Stable Hootenanny!

We happily announce the third official Anti-Wrecking Ball fundraiser supporting Friends of the San Luis’ ongoing appeal of last year’s ruling by St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Robert Dierker, which severely limits your ability to challenge the demolition of historic buildings in St. Louis City.

When: Saturday, May 22nd 8PM

Where: Historic Stahl Stables, 2412 Menard 63104

Cost: 10$ (includes one free keg beer)

Bands:

Union Electric
Pretty Little Empire
Leadville

The San Luis Apartments were torn down last summer while the parking lot at Lindell and Taylor will be completed this year.  Unfortunately, in St. Louis City many buildings are threatened with demolition and these controversies shall appear in the future.  When this occurs your right to challenge demolition must not be subject to interpretation.  For your voice to have weight Dierker’s ruling must not stand.  It contradicts the intent of our duly elected Board of Aldermen when they enacted Ordinance 64689.  Dierker wrongly held that only residents within proximity of the historic building may dispute its demolition.  Since the active use of these buildings maximizes our general welfare independent of subjective neighborhood or Ward boundaries, such a narrow misinterpretation of law undermines the purpose of our preservation ordinances.  Therefore all residents of St. Louis City have not only legal standing, but an obligation to testify before the Preservation Board as well as contest any potential errant administrative rulings through appeal.

Demolition of the National Register worthy “High Merit” San Luis Apartments violated the Preservation Board’s legal groundwork.  According to Ordinance 64689 these buildings are never to be demolished.  Whether another office building downtown for a parking garage, or your favorite neighborhood building for a gas station, if it becomes precedent Dierker’s ruling will impede your ability to save our historic City landmarks.  To reaffirm your rights, in September of 2009 we sought relief from the Missouri Court of Appeals.  This will not bring back the San Luis Apartments, but rather reinforce your ability to democratically question any future demolitions.  Our oral arguments will be heard this Wednesday May 5th 11-noon at downtown’s once threatened Old Post Office (Missouri Court of Appeals).  Members of the public are certainly invited.

The impact of demolition reverberates throughout the City while the benefits of preservation are not isolated to one neighborhood.  Besides securing your democratic voice, any support will help cover our attorney’s fees.  After our impending legal victory, we will continue fundraising for preservation action.  In that spirit, half of the proceeds from this event will also benefit the St. Louis Building Arts Foundation — an irreplaceable (yet under-appreciated) — resource containing thousands of relics from past City landmarks.

If you are unable to attend we accept donations through Paypal!

For more information visit our website, the Building Arts Foundation, or call 566-3465.

Support Historic Preservation in St. Louis?

Friends of the San Luis Inc are hosting a second fund raiser in order to support our legal battle seeking to protect democratic control over the built environment. We appealed Judge Dierker’s decision to the Missouri Court of Appeals. This effort cannot succeed without your support — and it’s quite easy to participate.

Support the policy which brought about St. Louis’ recent economic resurgence.  You can do this on December 11th 2009 by paying only 10 dollars for unlimited drinking and fun.  Located in Old North St. Louis Restoration Group’s new office, attendees will promote historic preservation and witness the impact of nearly 30 years of community development.

DJ Darren Snow will provide acoustic entertainment. We will also have raffles for classy T-Shirts and other assorted things.

If you can’t attend we are accepting donations.  Any amount will help ensure your citizen-rights.

Anti-Wrecking Ball Holiday Party on December 11 to Raise Funds for Preservation Legal Effort

December 1, 2009

For immediate release.

Contact: Douglas Duckworth 566-3465

On Friday, December 11, local preservationists will host another Anti-Wrecking Ball to raise funds for ongoing legal efforts. Darren Snow, host of KDHX’s “Rocket 88” program, is the DJ for the party. Alll who attend will be entered into a raffle for prizes from STL Style, St. Louis Cinemas and other local businesses.

When: Friday, December 11
Where: Old North St. Louis Community Gallery, 2700 N. 14^th Street

Cost: $10 (includes beer)

The Anti-Wrecking Ball will raise funds for the ongoing appeal of this year’s ruling by St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Robert Dierker that citizens have no standing under city preservation law.

When the Preservation Board approved — by a close 3-2 vote — demolition of the modern San Luis Apartments in June, the Friends of the San Luis filed an injunction in court. Under city preservation law, the citizens who make up Friends of the San Luis have a right to appeal – but only after a demolition permit has been issued! The Friends sued to stop demolition so we could appeal the Preservation Board ruling.

However, Judge Dierker ruled against the Friends, and not because he thought their argument was wrong, but because he thinks that citizens who are not owners of property threatened with demolition should have no right to protest or appeal. The San Luis Apartments were demolished this summer, but the ruling left a bigger issue that affects all citizens regardless of what they think about that one particular building.

Unchallenged, Dierker’s ruling could impede citizen efforts to save community landmarks across the city. The Friends of the San Luis filed an appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals in September to stand up for future preservation efforts. The Friends of the San Luis believe that citizen rights should not be demolished along with the San Luis Apartments.

Consequently, the Friends of the San Luis and other preservationists have organized the Anti-Wrecking Ball to raise funds to cover attorney’s fees. After the Friends wins its appeal, the Anti-Wrecking Ball movement will continue to raise money for legal costs associated with citizen preservation action.

The (Anti) Wrecking Ball

Friends of the San Luis will host a benefit show on August the 27th at the fantastic Off Broadway.  10 dollar cover charge only folks for great bands including the acclaimed Read Headed Strangers, Leadville, Roughshop, as well as the alluring burlesque performers Elle Adorable and Greta Garter!  That’s a lot of entertainment! All proceeds will help maintain the citizen right to appeal demolitions.

Unable to attend the show but want to offer support?  We now accept donations through PayPal!

Why We Continue

On July 27, Circuit Court Judge Robert Dierker, Jr. dismissed the Friends of the San Luis’ petition for injunctive relief.  The petition sought to stop demolition of the San Luis Apartments so that the Friends could file an appeal of the Preservation Board’s approval of the demolition.  Dierker not only dismissed the case, but did so on the basis that the Friends had no legal standing to bring forth a preservation appeal under the city’s preservation laws.

So, the building is gone and the case dismissed.  Why are the Friends of the San Luis still fighting?

If left unchallenged, Judge Dierker’s ruling could set case precedent that citizens and advocacy groups lack the right to appeal decisions of the Preservation Board.  Since the Preservation Board and its enabling laws govern the entire city, all citizens are affected by the decisions of the Board and deserve the right to appeal on procedural grounds.

Why would the Friends of the San Luis care about the right to appeal?  Didn’t you want to save one building?

True, our organization was formed to advocate for a specific building.  Yet our ability to do so was undercut by Dierker’s decision.  The members of the Friends of the San Luis are active in other preservation matters in which the right to appeal is essential.  If people have to go to court to prove our right to participate on every matter, concerned citizens won’t be able to actually fight for our city’s historic buildings.  We must legally clarify that right to protect citizen preservation advocacy.

Okay.  What’s next?

We will file an appeal of Dierker’s ruling to the Missouri Court of Appeals on the basis of his narrow definition of who has appeal rights.  That appeal must be filed within 30 days of the ruling.  Then, the Missouri Court of Appeals will schedule its hearing.

What if you lose at the Missouri Court of Appeals?

We could appeal further to the Missouri Supreme Court.  However, if the St. Louis preservation ordinance’s right to appeal is not clear enough to withstand appellant judicial review, then there is a bigger problem than one judge’s point of view.  Then we will know that the ordinance itself needs more clear language protecting citizen right to appeal.

DeVille Rally Next Week

Friends of the San Luis will be holding rallies weekly outside the San Luis until the building falls.   Expect further events related to this fiasco forthcoming.

Next Tuesday August 4th 2009 at 5:30 show your objection and support for our Preservation Ordinances.

We will continue to protest the demolition of the building and violation of city law, the illegal parking lot, and any attempts to suburbanize the Central West End through the creation of a SLU-like defensible space campus.

DeVille Demo and Rally

Via Friends of the San Luis Secretary Paul Hohmann.