OBA
December 12/11/2001 Meeting
Revitalize the Olive Business District
By Willa Boisseau
Scanew Senior Editor
Image that when you drive east on Olive Boulevard just past I-170 you see many beautiful flags on both side of the street that says, "Welcome to Olive Boulevard, U City". It may not be just a dream. 
OBA Vice President Lynn Rossel
Chaired by Lynn Rossel (Roscoe Electric), Vice President of the Olive Boulevard Association, the OBA December monthly meeting was held at Heman Park Community Center on Dec. 11, 2001 from 6 to 8 PM. The discussion of flags to be displayed on Olive Boulevard included flag design, color, size, price and fund resources. Members of OBA, all of them business owners along Olive Boulevard, are trying very hard to revitalize this business district. To add an U. City logo of a lion in the flag was also suggested. 
Najah Haqiqah
Other issues discussed in the meeting were adoption of boundaries of the Olive Business District, zone managers, logo contest, "China Town" update and committee reports.
Olive Boulevard is one of the major traffic and retail corridors in St. Louis county. The 1999 Comprehensive Plan Update identified Olive Boulevard as a major area for commercial development. The Olive business district is the segment of Olive Boulevard from I-170 at the western end of the University City to Skinker Boulevard at the eastern edge. The 4-miles+ long Olive strip is divided into three sections: from I-170 to North & South Road, from North & South Road to Midland, and from Midland to Skinker. Each section will have its own character and special development goals.
For example, from I-170 to North & South Road could be an ideal section for "China Town" development. OBA will form sub-committee to work on each section to get every business in the section involved. An Olive Boulevard survey was distributed by the U. City East Business and Transportation Committee in the fall of this year to ask for business owners' comments. You can still call the St. Louis Chinese American newspaper office (314/432-3858) to get a copy of the form to express your concerns and comments.
"China Town - The St. Louis Oriental Center" is an idea that needs more study and work to get consent of all business owners. The businesses at 8110 Olive Boulevard have already set up a sign - "China Town Square." It might be a good start. 
OBA Board member Ralph Broeker
Ralph Broeker, Vice President of Royal Bank, is in charge of the logo contest. He has set up an OBA logo contest with the C. City High School to allow high school students to show their talent. The OBA logo will be selected in the OBA January meeting and announced in the St. Louis Chinese American.
In this meeting, OBA also organized the following committees: Bylaws, Banners, Refreshments and Membership.
The next meeting will be on January 8, 2002 at 6:00 PM at the Heman Park Community Center. |
