West Newsmagazine 9-9-20

8 I NEWS I
September 9, 2020
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THE NEW BACK-TO-SCHOOL: Students across West County started school last month in-person and online but more
changes are ahead. On Thursday, Sept. 3, the Rockwood Board of Education discussed the possibility of bringing its
youngest students back to campus later this month, after having started school virtually. This is a developing story,
visit westnewsmagazine.com for updates.
(Shown above: De Smet Jesuit and Rockwood students from the districts’ Facebook pages)
news
briefs
BALLWIN
Elco gets go-ahead for
new showroom
Due to a business climate greatly affected
by COVID-19, the auto industry has had
to become increasingly more creative in
terms of pricing and extending financing
payment term options.
As 2021 begins, Elco Chevrolet Cadillac
will begin to display creativity in a different
form.
At the Aug. 24 Ballwin Board of Aldermen
meeting, Bill 4069 was submitted for
a special use exception “for an amended
site development plan to change the showroom
footprint for the property at 15110
Manchester Road.”
“I have reviewed the elements of this
petition, and believe it meets the elements
for a special use exception,” Alderman
Kevin Roach (Ward 2) said to start the proceedings.
Stipulations of the special use exception,
under certain conditions:
• Would not substantially increase traffic
hazards or congestion.
• Would not adversely affect the character
of the neighborhood.
• Would not affect the general welfare of
the community.
• Would not over-tax public utilities.
• Would not adversely affect public safety
and health.
• Is consistent with good planning practice.
• Can be operated in a manner that is not
detrimental to the permitted developments
and uses in the district.
• Can be developed and operated in a
manner that is visually compatible with the
permitted uses in the surrounding area.
Alderman Michael Finley (Ward 1)
immediately called on the petitioner, Jeff
Kaiser of Tri Architects at 9812 Manchester
Road in Rock Hill, to explain Elco’s
new proposed design.
“This is a new corporate rollout for
Cadillac,” Kaiser explained. “I believe it
will be the first such location in the Midwest
region. We’re going to basically tear
down the existing front showroom from
the service entry doors and replace it with
a new aluminum composite façade and
storefront glass. It’s a new, clean, modern
look. You’re seeing this pretty much across
the board. Mercedes, BMW … everybody’s
going with this sleek, modern look.”
Kaiser then showed some artists’ renditions
of the proposals. He added that the
changes will include additional pedestrian
areas and a few other additions and subtractions
so that Elco will still maintain its
business viability while further enhancing
its visual appearance.
The bill passed unanimously, becoming
ordinance 20-16.
Local woman wins
St. Jude Dream Home
Ballwin resident Rachel Foster took a
chance, made a donation to help children
with cancer and won a gorgeous new home
in O’Fallon.
Foster was named the winner of the 2020
St. Jude Dream Home.
The annual home giveaway to benefit
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was
made possible in part by the Electrical
Connection, which donated services and
materials to build the home. Payne Family
Homes orchestrated the construction and
home giveaway, which raised more than
$1.1 million for the hospital.
Family-owned Grasser Electric performed
the electrical installations on the
home working with the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Local 1. IBEW partners with the St. Louis
Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors
Association (NECA) to form the
Electrical Connection. Grasser is a NECA
contractor.
The 2020 St. Jude Dream Home broke
ground on Jan. 30 at 318 Old Forester Drive
in Payne Family Homes’ Legends Pointe
subdivision. The 1.5-story, 4,100-squarefoot
home features a number of amenities
including a home cinema and security
system, four bedrooms and 4.5 baths, plus
a three-sided sculptural fireplace, interior
stone wall, spacious loft area, cozy reading
nook and more.
This is the seventh St. Jude Dream Home
built by Payne Family Homes with the
help of IBEW/NECA. Grasser Electric
has donated services to build five of those
homes. The seven-year-long charitable
endeavor has raised more than $6.1 million
locally for St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital.
ELLISVILLE
Pathfinder Church
completes updates
Pathfinder Church has completed construction
on its exterior campus improvement
project. The project had three main
goals: beautify the exterior campus by
creating green spaces with outdoor areas
for gathering; provide clear, intuitive wayfinding
that will direct guests to the main
entry areas; and address parking flow and
drop-off points.
Highlights of the exterior renovation
include a new illuminated Pathfinder entry
marker, new parking configuration, new
greenspaces to provide life to the campus
and along Manchester Road and new wayfinding
to direct guests around campus.
MANCHESTER
City amends helmet requirement
The Manchester Board of Aldermen
passed legislation repealing a portion of an