For the past three years, WUMCRC has collaborated with Saint Louis University’s Public Policy Studies Department for both on-site and remote technical assistance on various projects. This school year we welcome:

Vincent Haynes is a recent graduate of SLU’s Urban Planning and Real Estate Development master’s program and continues to work on his GIS (geographic information systems) Certificate at SLU. His research interests include vacant property reporting, affordable housing and urban design. With this background, Vincent will provide  technical support in various data and research mapping projects throughout Forest Park Southeast as well as help market the neighborhood as a safe and exciting place to live and work.

Matt Green is currently in his first year at SLU in the Urban Planning and Real Estate Development master’s program. His research interests include community building, economic development incentives and environmental planning practices. As an intern, Matt will provide assistance to the Grove Community Improvement District, keep the public informed about the work of WUMCRC in Forest Park Southeast and help organize various community programs.

If you have any questions for our new interns, you can contact Vincent Haynes at thaynes2@slu.edu or Matt Green at mgreen11@slu.edu

On the job for just over a year, James Partee has hit the ground running.  As Director of the Neighborhood Security Initiative in the Central West End, James has overseen a 13% drop in overall crimes, improved communication between the public and enforcement officers and greater security coverage of the area at a lower cost .

With a year under his belt we wanted to talk with him his about his experiences thus far and   what he has planned for the future…

“Even with the relative success we have seen thus far, we need to continue improving security for residents and business owners in the area. For 2010, we hope to have a full circuit video surveillance coverage for all the taxing districts, continue to see a drop in nuisance crimes, further our education programs for both residents and visitors about how to avoid being a victim and strengthen our schedule for security coverage between police districts and supplemental security.”

James also touched on the involvement of WUMCRC in the security initiative…

“Not only does the success of our initiative weigh on the monetary support provided by WUMCRC, but the overall, everyday support that they provide us is crucial to the program. The entire Central West End/Midtown area benefits from this program, and I know it would not be as prevalent or successful without the help of WUMCRC.”

Thanks to James’ hard work and the entire CWENSI staff, the neighborhood safety continues to improve and we look forward to increased success of the initiative.

Diane Ottinger, who currently resides on the 4400 block of Vista, has lived in Forest Park Southeast all of her life.   Since she was an adolescent Diane has been creating works of art.   For Diane art had always just been a hobby, however for the last several years she has been taking more time to seriously develop her craft.

“I really wanted to start taking my paintings seriously and step into the art world.  I have known Brooks Goedeker for 4 years now.  He encouraged me to get the word out about my art.  WUMCRC helped me set up my website, business cards, and for that I am extremely thankful.  I hope to be able to share my talent and support with other artists.”

Currently Diane is working on various canvas paintings of scenes from around the St. Louis area. You can access Diane’s website here and keep an eye out for some of her work around the neighborhood.

Yesterday WUMCRC, Rebuilding Together St. Louis and Home Depot  collaborated on a home repair on the 4500 block of Chouteau. Resident Julie Glenn was the recipient of a special day of service from Home Depot employees and through it received a rebuilt front porch, needed improvements on her bathroom shower,  and replaced roof  tiles.

Today we got a chance to talk to Julie about her experience…

“I can’t begin to express the impact that these improvements will have on my life. It was extremely stressful tying to take a shower with trash bags holding up the wall, wondering if this would be the last time it could be used. And finally we won’t have to worry about the front porch caving in every time we walk up the stairs. It is a fabulous blessing to the community to have such a large place like Washington University Medical Center show care for the neighborhoods surrounding it and continue their commitment to it’s residents. I was so thankful yesterday and I could start all over again today thanking everyone that helped.”

This event, which Fox 2 covered yesterday,  is just a precursor to the Rebuilding Day blitz that will take place throughout Forest Park Southeast in April.

The beautification efforts continue in Forest Park Southeast, this time with the  abandoned  lot on the corner of Boyle and Northfolk. This previous eyesore to the block has been converted into a beautiful community garden through plant donations from Operation Brightside and technical assistance from Landscape St. Louis, who once again, has  adopted Forest Park Southeast as their pro-bono neighborhood.

Next time you are in the area, stop by and take a stroll in the garden, smell the flowers or check out the FPSE Walking Path and neighborhood map.

As you may have noticed, the Adams Park sign on the corner of Newstead and Norfolk has recently received some landscape improvements. Residents Jannie Serne and Patrice Willis donated some of their time and hard work breaking soil and creating the below flower garden. The plants came from Operation Brightside’s Neighbors Naturescaping Program.  Thanks to Jannie and Patrice for their hard work!  The sign looks great.

The Forest Park South Business Association has been working on a long term strategic plan.  Part of that plan  includes producing an annual community directory.  The directory contains important neighborhood and city information,  neighborhood history, a list of local elected officials and representatives, as well as a contact information of local attractions, restaurants and businesses.  You can access a copy of the directory here.

* In the near future a hard copy will be delivered to every home in Forest Park Southeast.

The 2009 Home Repair Assistance fliers are now available, so keep an eye out for these throughout the neighborhood. We are currently accepting rolling applications for the program and for more information and/or to apply, please contact Brooks Goedeker at (314) 747-2332 or goedekeb@wustl.edu

The second Forest Park Southeast Cor-Ten Steel entry marker is currently being fabricated by artist Wesley Fordyce.  The new entry marker will be installed at the southeast corner of Tower Grove and Chouteau.  The marker utilizes the theme of what the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood has become known for, historic buildings located next to great attractions such as the Science Center and the Art Museum.

As most of you know the Grove has seen a tremendous amount of rehab in the last decade.  Below is a map detailing this fact. PDF Link

Excluding parking lots, 60% of the Grove has been or is in the process of being substantially rehabbed.