University City City Council Kills Loop Loitering Bill

Council kills Bill 9112; Also discussed at special session: budget adjustments, council rules.

In a unanimous vote, the City Council of University City removed Bill 9112 from further consideration at a special session on Monday night. The bill, introduced originally by Ward 2 councilmember L. Michael Glickert was given first reading at the April 26 City Council meeting. Ward 3 councilmember Arthur Sharpe Jr. put a motion at Monday’s meeting to remove the bill from further consideration. Joe Edwards of Blueberry Hill and other members of the community were present at the special session. A curfew, as well as additional police presence in the Loop were primary reasons for discontinuing discussion of Bill 9112. The bill, if passed would have fined individuals $1,000 if found guilty of loitering, or obstructing the sidewalks in the Loop…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (3)

Frank Ollendorff

6:21 pm on Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Right on, Nova. Transparency = free publicity!   more ›

City Council Bill Proposes Fines for People Who Obstruct Sidewalks and Streets in the Loop

Fines could be as high as $1,000

The City Council on Monday night took up a bill that would address the large number of teens in the Loop. Bill 9112, if passed, would be an ordinance that would amend Chapter 9 of the city municipal code, removing a section that currently pertains to panhandling, and replacing it with a new section, 9.08.045, entitled  “obstructing or interfering with the use of sidewalks and streets.” Bill 9112 states that it would become illegal for people to assemble, or loiter, or walk, on any sidewalk or the street in a manner that would interfere with the use of the sidewalk or street. A person found in violation could receive a fine of as much as $1,000. Earlier in the council meeting, during the citizen participation section of the agenda, Joe …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Elliot Wilson

2:43 pm on Saturday, May 14, 2011

Up to $1,000 for obstructing a sidewalk? That seems like a remarkable affront on personal liberties. Every now and then I wish that people wouldn't congregate on the sidewalk when I'm trying to walk around the Loop, but that doesn't mean that I would support law with such a tremendous fine ceiling, especially when the most obvious solution -- store-owners or police officers asking the group to …   more ›

PatchCast

Daily PatchCast: University City Teen Trouble, Young Professionals Network and More

A roundup of St. Louis news headlines for Tuesday, April 19.

Here are the top stories from St. Louis Patch:

• Videos (1)

Loop Business Owners Complain About Youth in the Loop; City Council Looks to Install Security Cameras

The University City City Council said it's looking at installing security cameras in the Loop to help curb rowdy youths.

The City Council heard an earful Monday night from Loop business owners fed up with groups of young people running amok in the Loop on weekends. "It's absolutely a (expletive) hole," said Cicero's owner Shawn Jacobs. He said the unruly mobs of teen-agers are driving away business."You've got to stand up to these people," he pleaded with University City councilmembers.  He said loitering laws need to be enforced. The City is looking at installing security cameras in the Loop, and is currently accepting bids for the cameras,  said University City Mayor Shelley Welsch, who added "we are aware of the seriousness of this issue." "We're interested in improving all the security in the Loop and one of the ways we can do that is if we have …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (3)

Mayor's Task Force Examines Youth in the Loop

Senior and Youth Task Force looked at issues with area youth in The Loop Business District at its meeting Thursday night.

Thursday night's meeting of the Mayor's Task Force on Seniors & Youth focused primarily on the latter. The focal point being youths in the Loop. Concerns have centered on a small percentage of youths that disruptive -- and how that gives The Loop a “negative perception by patrons.” At a previous task force meeting, Patrick Liberto, owner of the Meshuggah Café, said he felt that youths have no place to go, with malls discouraging their patronage. The Loop is attractive, he said because there are clothing, music stores, and salons that  cater to younger people. The task force asked Liberto if he had any recommendations, and he suggested getting kids involved in activities, such as theatre or sports. Thursday’s guest speakers included …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (4)

Holston Black Jr.

3:39 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011

I am glad the task force enlisted the assistance of Jack Kirkland, a person of long standing in U. City who has been battling some of the problems we are still facing. Answers are difficult to come about however we have to keep working to get there. This task force seems to be a good start or continuation.   more ›

Joe Edwards Steps Down as President of Loop Special Business District

After many years Joe Edwards relinquishes presidency of the Loop Special Business District.

After many years at the helm, Joe Edwards has stepped down as president of the Loop Special Business District. According to a press release,  Edwards, owner of several businesses in the Loop including  Blueberry Hill, The Pageant and Pin-Up Bowl has passed the leadership position to Jessica Bueler, owner of H.S.B Tobacconist in The Loop. Edwards will remain on the Board of the Loop Special District.

• Photos (2)

New Restaurant to Move Into Former Riddles Space

The former bar manager of Riddles is part of a team opening up a new establishment in Riddles former space.

The great mystery that has perplexed University City residents since last October has been solved, Riddles Penultimate Café & Wine Bar is no more and a new restaurant, Three Kings will inhabit the venerable space at 6307 Delmar beginning March 15. Derek Flieg, the former bar manager at Riddles, along with Ryan Pinkston and Derek Deaver, (owners of Deaver's Bar & Grill) have always wanted to own their own restaurant. So when Flieg’s former employer folded last fall the trio negotiated a lease and Three Kings Public House was born.  University City Patch Contributor Rob Levy interviewed restaurant entrepreneur Derek Flieg about the exciting new venture he has opened with his partners in the Loop.  What made you decide to take the bold step …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (3)

Kim

11:23 am on Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Agreed. We always had a great time and great food at Riddle's - we miss them too!   more ›

Police Arrest Man in Connection With Robbery of Two Washington University Students

Two Wash U students reported being mugged at the corner of Waterman and Melville avenues.

University City Police have charged 20-year-old Bryant N. Taylor of the 7700 block of Folk Avenue, 63143 with second degree robbery in connection with the mugging of two Washington University students near the Loop Sunday evening. According to a press release, the students were robbed as they walked in the 500 block of Melville. Police said the pair were approached by 4 males. One of the males punched the victim without provocation and stole his personal belongings, which were later recovered.  No weapons were used in this incident. The incident was initially reported in the Washington University student newspaper Student Life.

• Photos (1)

Subterranean Books On Brink of Closing

University City business Subterranean Books may have to close down if business doesn't pick up.

Subterranean Books in the Loop is on the brink of going out of business. In a posting on the bookstore's Facebook page, owner Kelly von Plonski wrote "We have 5 months to turn our sales around or else we're out of business Sept 1." Von Plonksi said the store asked for a rent reduction and got turned down.  She said she's looking into throwing a fund-raiser "to get us out of our imminent bind." But she added, "we still need long-term solutions. We can't handle the slide we've recently seen." The store has created a survey "to figure out what's right, what's wrong," said von Plonski.  Subterranean Books opened in October 2000.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)

Ice Carnival Makes U City Loop Hub of Activity Saturday

Hundreds of people came out to the Loop Saturday to take part in races and see jugglers, ice sculptures and get free chocolate.

Hundreds of people turned out for Saturday's 6th annual Ice Carnival in The Loop. There was something for everyone. The Frozen Buns Run for the athletically inclined, as well as jugglers on stilts and people carving ice sculptures.

• Videos (3)