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<br />funds be dedicated to the CID, if it was formed? The funds could be allocated to the CID each year <br />so the CID wouldn’t need an application each year. The legal opinion on EDRST funds is that the <br />funds can’t be allocated but a CID Board can come to the EDRST Board each year for a project- <br />specific need and request. <br /> <br /> Delmar (Mr. Lenard) – Loop is established; we want to retain retailers that are struggling. Bring in <br />more residential and foot traffic. Competition now with The Grove and Cherokee. Promote Loop as a <br />car-free lifestyle. <br /> <br /> Olive (Mr. Lenard) – Traffic study – how can it be more walkable and bikable; But don’t slow down <br />too much, access to I-170. Seafood City parking lot – food trucks, portable/mobile retail close to <br />sidewalk. <br /> <br /> Olive (Mr. Adegboye) – Olive Blvd incubator or co-working space – can we look at feasibility and <br />City-funded project. <br /> <br /> Mayor Welsch – Remember tax is for entire City, not just Delmar and Olive. Consider commercial <br />corners around the City – How many are there, can we bring retail and services into the <br />neighborhood. Support current corners – North and South and Delmar. Old Bonhomme and Delmar <br />and I-170 and Delmar. <br /> <br /> Olive (Mayor Welsch) – Buildings on Olive Blvd are beyond useful life – is there a way to build more <br />scattered parking for retail. <br /> <br /> Delmar (Mayor Welsch) – More opportunities along Kingsland and Vernon to Olive Blvd to connect <br />and enhance Delmar and Olive. Delmar high speed fiber – bids too high <br /> <br /> Olive (Mr. O’Donnell) – Need additional residential housing north of Olive – additional development <br />will bring in foot traffic to Olive Blvd. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lenard - Hawthorne School is on the market. It could be a potential location north of Olive Blvd <br />for housing. <br /> <br />c. Delmar Loop – Small Business Retail Retention Program Proposal <br />City staff summarized a proposal to provide small business forgivable loans of up to $12,000 to retail <br />establishments in the Delmar Loop. The $100,000 program is to help retain valuable retail businesses that <br />have been impacted by the Loop Trolley Construction. The Board asked if there was enough money in the <br />fund for the need? Mr. Edwards indicated that there would be enough funds for the retails that would <br />qualify. Mr. Edwards also indicated that this is the most critical time for retailers in the construction process. <br />Now is the time to provide assistance. The Board approved the use of EDRST reserve funds for the <br />program, 3-0 vote. <br /> <br /> <br />Other Business <br />a. Public Comments <br /> <br />Gail Snider – Ms. Snider is the Executive Director of the University City Chamber of Commerce. She <br />provided a statement regarding Olive Blvd – Anchor tenants are needed on Olive. More walkable <br />and bikable environment and better sidewalks are needed. Additional events would help attract <br />people. Little things make a difference – more programs, more marketing, etc. Olive has 240 <br />property owners – need to consider Districts, like what has already been done. Vacant properties – <br />what are we going to do to get an entrepreneurial culture. Make Space and Kitchen to attract <br />entrepreneurs to Olive Blvd. Can we incubate businesses in U City, what do we need to think about <br /> <br />2 <br /> <br />