The West Pine Laclede Neighborhood Association will meet on Tuesday, February 13th at 7 pm at Northwest Coffee, 4251 Laclede (at Boyle).  All are welcome!

This month’s special guest will be Divyesh Panchal. Mr. Panchal is the new owner of the historic apartment building numbered 4417 Forest Park Avenue. Although the multi-family property is located just outside the western boundaries of the WPLNA, Divyesh nonetheless is excited to attend our February meeting to share with us his plans for rehabbing the building into a combination of long-term apartments and shorter-term furnished rentals.

The minutes from our January meeting and copied below and will be presented for approval at the upcoming meeting.  Please note that to save on paper and ink, only a minimal number of hard copies will be printed for review and approval, so you are encouraged to read the minutes on line prior to coming.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.

WPLNA Minutes – January 9, 2024

President Harold Karabell began the meeting at 7:02 PM, beginning with introductions.

Harold announced that Terry is away to attend the funeral of his brother. We send our condolences.

Harold shared the confirmation that the West Pine Pharmacy will move to a new location at the 4101 Laclede Building.

A report from Alderman Michael Browning

• We have learned that West Pine Pharmacy is moving to the Sarah side of 4101 Laclede Ave. We are excited to keep West Pine Pharmacy in the neighborhood.
• Aldermen have been on holiday break and will resume activity soon.
• Alderman Browning’s assistant Caitlin has a Tuesday evening class next semester and will be unable to attend spring meetings.
• Neighbor Reese related to Ron Coleman that Walgreens has lowered the speaker volume in the parking lot. He expressed thanks to Ron for his assistance.

A Beautification Committee report from Lorraine Simpson

• Lorraine related that some birchwood was stolen from our Christmas decorations at Boyle Garden.
• She also related that someone is leaving personal garbage in alleyway on West Pine. She called our attention to people leaving debris in the alleyway, causing blowing garbage in the neighborhood.
• Additionally, Lorraine called our attention to people taking food from the Boyle Garden pantry and hoarding it in area bushes. We will ask Diana Gualdoni and the Boyle Garden to consider removing the pantry from the neighborhood.

Nancy asked whether police should be called if someone is dumpster diving.

Ron Coleman says that we can report this to the city. We would need license plate and some evidence. When we see someone dumpster diving, or who appear mentally ill or unhoused, we can contact Alvin Ferguson, NIS trained social worker, at (314) 904-6879.

Reese said that he saw someone stealing boxes from the Renmore Building.

4225 West Pine – Porch piracy

4300 Newstead – Car break-ins in the alley between Laclede and Forest Park Ave.

It was reported and noted that the 4300 block of Laclede lights are out.

Ron related that someone has stolen one of our signs, also at Boyle Garden.

There was a discussion of reckless driving in the area:

Alderman Browning related that incoming Police Chief Tracy has heard loud and clear that reckless driving is being addressed with force traffic enforcement policy. We will see new designs for our roads this year.

Harold ended the meeting at 8:05 PM.