Yesterday, a group of concerned citizens, mostly residents of the 5th and 19th Wards, met with Jeff Rainford, Mayor Francis Slay’s chief of staff, about developer Paul McKee’s activities in their wards. One of the most interesting things to come out of was Rainford’s assertion that McKee has informed Slay that he is no longer interested in developing in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood and is moving to sell his mostly dilapidated properties to the Old North Restoration Group, a non-profit organization.

Michael Allen, who has been following McKee’s activities in Old North for years, was in the meeting and gave us this report:

The North City Farmers’ Market kicks off its second season on Saturday June 7th with the kick of a homegrown habanero and will feature a heaping helping of something for everyone. Open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the grand opening will feature a live cooking demonstration by Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin, live music by Eric McSpadden and Margaret Bianchetta, a performance by local opera singer Marlissa Hudson (who was recently featured on Fox 2 News); free bike giveaways, free barbeque, health screenings, and activities for children.

President of the St. Louis Board of Alderman Lewis Reed will be attending the grand opening, in addition to City of St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green, City of St. Louis License Collector Mike McMillan, City of St. Louis Public Safety Director Charles Bryson, Alderman Freeman Bosley, Sr., and other notable dignitaries.

The North City Farmers’ market is located in the newly renovated Crown Square, formerly known as the 14th Street Mall, at the intersection of 14th and St. Louis Avenue (across the street from Crown Candy). The North City Farmers’ Market is especially proud to be able to take Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, as well as cash and vouchers given away at local food pantries.

The North City Farmers’ Market delivers quality vegetables, fruits, baked goods, hot food, crafts, flowers and much more to the residents of Old North St. Louis, St. Louis Place, Hyde Park and north St. Louis as a whole. The departure of many grocery store chains from the area has left behind only gas stations and convenience stores that feature high-priced, low-nutrition foodstuffs that decrease the general health of the community. The mission of the North City Farmers’ Market is to grow community health by offering affordable, fresh produce, free health screenings (by Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers), and healthy cooking demonstrations while encouraging community participation and weekly gatherings for residents and visitors alike.

The market will run every Saturday June 7th through October 25th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The market is produced thanks to a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health, the initiative of the folks at New Roots Urban Farm in collaboration with Old North St. Louis Restoration Group,
and numerous other individuals and community groups. We are looking forward to a great season and hope you will join us.

State Senator Jeff Smith, State Rep. Rodney Hubbard, preservationist and Blairmont watchdog Michael Allen, and representatives of Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, the Carr Square Tenant Management Corporation, and the St. Louis Housing Authority gathered yesterday at the 14th Street Mall (which is currently undergoing a $30 million restoration) to discuss the process by which some important amendments were added to the controversial Distressed Areas Land Assemblage Tax Credit and what they will be looking for from developers and the Board of Aldermen as any projects move forward.

See the entire 24-minute press conference at www.PubDef.TV or on YouTube.

*Hubbard is a client of A D French & Associates