PUBLIC NOTICE

Please take notice that the Washington Avenue Corridor Community Improvement District will be holding a Board of Directors Meeting on October 14th at 11:30 am virtually via Zoom.

This will be an open meeting and all members of the public are welcome to attend via the above Zoom link or in person. A copy of the Agenda for this meeting is below:

agenda

I. Call to order

II. Approval of meeting minutes from 09/11/25 Board of Directors meetings (5 minutes)

III. Downtown Forward update (5 minutes)

IV. NFP / CID summit (5 minutes)

V. Marketing update (5 minutes)

VI. Security discussion

a. Washington Avenue closure (5 minutes)

b. Recent surge in gun violence (5 minutes)

c. Drug dealing / addiction crisis (30 minutes)

i. Stepped up SLMPD enforcement

ii. Stepped up Downtown CID secondary officer deployment

iii. Problem properties

1. EZ Vape

2. Mark Twain Hotel

3. Paul Brown

iv. Meeting with Chris Saracino / Police Board

v. Discussion with federal officials

vi. Missouri Attorney General

vii. St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney

d. Meetings with Mike Garvin (15 minutes)

VII. Adjournment

meeting minutes

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 11:40 by Executive Director Matt O’Leary

The following Board members were present:

• John Berglund, Chair

• Dan Pistor, Secretary

• Michelle Solie, Treasurer

• Craig Heller, Director

• Steve Stone, Director

• Jeff Campbell, Director

• Matt O’Leary, Executive Director

Also present:

• Brad Waldrop

• Ed Rhode

• Clair Anderson

II. Approval of meeting minutes from 09/11/25 Board of Directors meetings - All approved the September meeting minutes.

III. Downtown Forward update - The new organization started on September 15th. Michelle has signed off after last months discussion.

IV. NFP / CID summit - We discussed several areas that we have in common among our respective organizations. We have another meeting scheduled for this week.

V. Marketing update - Craig is marketing chair. We met with Explore St. Louis. It was a good conversation however it is unclear how our effort is going to fit in their current marketing efforts. Working to get the next meeting scheduled.

VI. Security discussion

1. Washington Avenue closure - Washington will remain closed through the end of year. A discussion was had on how to get to a point where we no longer have to close the street. 

b. Recent surge in gun violence - we had several gun related incidents (11th and  Washington, Nara, Wheelhouse, Convention Plaza, BP). It is unclear what led to the surge. It could be the last of the warm weather months or people want to get in on the drug trade. 

c. Drug dealing / addiction crisis - historical issues with 1400 Pine encampment and one by Musial bridge. St Ann officers are on-foot have made a lot of progress. City Garden has fenced off some areas. OPOP garage has stepped up security. DNA initiated a letter writing campaign that was extremely impactful. 

i. Stepped up SLMPD enforcement

ii. Stepped up Downtown CID secondary officer deployment

iii. Problem properties

1. EZ Vape the unlawful detainer suit has been filed.

2. Mark Twain Hotel building in bad condition. Raising funds to pay for protest action 

3. Paul Brown Converting to a market rate complex. He has been cooperating with other stakeholders

iv. Meeting with Chris Saracino / Police Board - working on internal issues such as Family Leave issues and other things to have more officers in the streets. 

v. Discussion with federal officials - met with the FBI and US Attorney. They have interest at their level and seem to want to be partners but it’s not sure how it will play out. Conversations are ongoing. They understand the problem and want to help. 

vi. Missouri Attorney General - AG Hanaway is interested in Downtown and wants to provide services for our challenges. 

vii. St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney - many of the tools needed by the police were removed at the end of last decade and under Covid. Looking at ways to have some of those tools reincorporated. Changes are also needed to the juvenile criminal justice system. 

d. Meetings with Mike Garvin - may be the liaison from city hall with our organization. Discussed the street vendors and 1128 Washington appeal problems and how to address our concerns. Working on Mark Twain and Americans Best Value through Downtown Forward.

Encampments - Big one at Cass and tenth, outside the old Greyhound station, Cotton Belt Building, 14th and Pine. Mandi Semple is now working in STL per Kurt. Focused on dealing with encampments. 

VII. Meeting adjourned at 1250

Prepared by: Dan Pistor, Secretary