A couple hundred 17th Ward peeps poured into the Gramophone for the 17th Ward Holiday Party Wednesday, Dec. 3, to kick off the season and honor community leaders and volunteers.
The annual event attracted an eclectic mix of residents, business owners, developers and politicians, including Mayor Francis Slay, who stopped by to congratulate the Grove neighborhood on its impressive redevelopment efforts.
Irving Blue, executive director of Forest Park Southeast Development Corp., honored David Renard and John Boldt for their work with the Business Association of Forest Park Southeast as well as Austin Barzantny for his renovation of several residential properties in the neighborhood.
Dan Krasnoff, executive director of Central West End Midtown Development, recognized Harold Karabell, former president of the West Pine-Laclede Neighborhood Association, and developers Rick Yackey and Bill Bruce for their two Central West End projects, University Heights Loft Apartments and the West End Lofts.
Alderman Joseph D. Roddy, host of the event, announced that the city was ready to move forward with plans for a new park at Chouteau and Newstead in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. A neighborhood committee will be formed in January to discuss plans for the park. Roddy also announced that the Grove District recently picked up an award for Successful Public/Non-Profit Venture from the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. The Business Association of Forest Park Southeast, Forest Park Southeast Development Corp., the St. Louis Development Corp. and Alderman Roddy shared the award.
The Gramophone, a new live music venue at 4243 Manchester, served as the site for the party. Food was donated by nearby eateries, including Five, Sweetie Pie's, Newstead Tower Public House, Bellon’s, Agave, Arnold’s Quick Shop & Kitchen and Just Johns.