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Gibson Heights Neighborhood News, March, 2002
March agenda
   Brightside's Spring Blitz, will be on April 13. President Sonda Thompson (534.1709) will have details. Also the Great Perennial Divide that supplies plants and flowers for public spaces will be coming soon. Trish Curtis (534.4944) has volunteered to coordinate the FPSE effort.
Cadet and Wichita closings
   Wichita may be closed at Kingshighway to form a cul de sac. The change would allow access to the alley just east of Kingshighway leading to Oakland, The cul de sac plan, along with the long-planned Cadet closing, was reported at the February meeting by Susan Glassman of Urban Strategies.
   After discussion at the meeting, it was agreed that Wichita residents and the congregation at St. Peter's Lutheran Church would be consulted before further action was taken on the Wichita change. Residents should contact Wichita resident Esther Walker (531.1008) or Glassman at Urban Strategies.
Clayton access to Forest Park
   Norma Conley reported that the Forest Park Advisory Board's Access, Circulation and Parking Subcommittee has considered the GHNA's proposals for modifications to the planned total closing of the Clayton Avenue entrance to/exit from Forest Park but is not inclined to recommend any changes to the closing of Clayton as an entrance to the Park other than permitting limited access to the parking lot at Steinberg Skating Rink. The Subcommittee endorsed the maintenance of a footbridge over Highway 40 and has committed to continue working with representatives from FPSE.
Problem properties initiative
   Third District Officer John McLaughlin said that the problem properties initiative has been reviewed and revised in light of lessons learned during the first six months of its operations. People who know problem properties in FPSE should report them to Sue Lauritsen of the Security Task Force (871.1850). The GHNA will put together a one-page directory on the problem properties program and on phone numbers to call.
Park East information
   Phil Minden reported that the Housing Corporation's Board did not consider the Association's request for information about the Park East Project at its February meeting and that the request was rolled over to the agenda for the Board's April 1 meeting.
Housing Corporation annual meeting
   Forest Park Southeast Housing Corporation board members and others reported on the Park East Project, the Historic District, the Strategic Plan (involve more FPSE residents through four committees - Housing, Mainstreet, Publicity and Finance), the Mainstreet Project and the Neighborhood Playgrounds Project (Healthy Kids at Play ).
   The Mainstreet Project is planning an arts project on April 27, a storefront cleanup day on June 22, a book signing event at Ujamaa Maktaba on August 15 and the next Housing Corporation Holiday Party on December 11. Call Marti Hamilton (533.6704) for more information.
   The Playgrounds Project hopes to install playgrounds with neighborhood volunteers on May 4. Call Serena Muhammad (633.7906) for more information.
   Board members repeatedly noted that all of the Housing Corporation's committees are open and they urged residents to get involved by joining one or more of the committees. After the informational session, breakout groups on housing and on Mainstreet gave people a chance to ask questions.
   The next Housing Corporation board meeting is scheduled for April 1, at 6 p.m. Also, subcommittees are continuing to meet. Marti will be happy to fill you in on the committee projects and meeting times. Call her at 314.533.6704 ext. 13
Leap of Faith Award
   On behalf of the Housing Corporation, Marti Hamilton presented the first FPSE Leap of Faith Award to Guy Slay for his renovation of the building on the southeast corner of Tower Grove and Manchester (The Mangrove Building). Guy Slay said that he had met a lot of good people in FPSE and that he was glad that he had chosen FPSE for his project.
Sisters and brothers
   The Adams Park Community Center is sponsoring the Big Brothers / Big Sisters program in FPSE. Call Shannon (361.5900, extension 50) for more information.

For more information and to make suggestions, send e-mail to Bob Babione.

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