Olive Business Association November Meeting

By Willa Boisseau, Scanews Senior Editor

The traffic interchange at Olive Street Road and Highway I-170 is now being discussed by the Olivette City Council.  A newspaper article and letter from an Olivette citizen opposed to present plans caused Mrs. Pat O'Neal to come before the Olive Business Association at its November 12 meeting.  She represented the "Olivette Community Connection," a group devoted to bringing the intersection plan into action.
    
Mrs. O'Neal said the Council may decide to alter present plans because of inclusion of a third westbound I-170 exit lane on Olive between the highway and Dielman Industrial Drive.  She said MoDOT has funds now for construction, but may not have them at a later date.  The overpass and intersection are both nearing the ends of  their useful lives, and problems will only increase.  Since this intersection is important to the Olive corridor for both University City and Olivette, she urges action by merchants and residents in both areas to convince the City Council to continue with plans now approved. 
 
The annual Memorial Day Run in University City raises money to support causes such as The Green Center, the Friends of the U. City Public Library, and U. City in Bloom.  A speaker from the Memorial Day Run organization told of the need for sponsoring organizations for the 2004 Run.  She said organizations which would like to be sponsors for this year's Run, an activity which attracts hubndreds of runners from all parts of the metropolitan area, should apply for sponsorship at the University City Public Library.  Applications should be in by the first of January, 2004.
 
Joe Hahn, Co-Chairman of the Olive Business Association, said contracts for production of the new Olive Link banners have been completed.  The Zane Williams Company, submitter of the selected design and bid, hopes to have the banners completed and hanging along Olive Street Road by the end of 2003.  Thomas Moton, Assistant City Manager of University City, said U. City will help to smooth the way with installation details.
 
Lasrry Lieberman, City Councilman, was happy to announce the Council has received high ratings on the U. City fire district.  Because of these high ratings, local insurance rates may decrease.    He announced there is still no tenant for the new building on Delmar Boulevard where Smith Hardware used to stand.  Tenants are being sought.  He said the St. Louis Christian Community Center will be opening soon on Olive.
 
Thomas Moton told the group that City Hall has been computerizing city records to make it much easier to provide services to citizens and merchants.  Also, Mr. Moton says, there are plenty of "No Firearms Allowed" signs remaining for those who would like them.
 
Progress for the OBA will be evident along Olive Street Road before the end of the year.  Come to the next meeting at Heman Community Center on December 9 at 6:00 P.M. to be 
a part of "The Olive Link."