Clarifying plans for Covenant Place

A recent letter to the editor in The Jewish Light (Jan. 1) reflects a number of inaccuracies or misunderstanding concerning Covenant Place’s redevelopment plans. The correct information is set forth in this letter.

First, the redeveloped Covenant Place complex will be much more compact than the existing one. The redevelopment will both shorten interior walking distances for residents and provide increased green space on the Millstone Campus.

The Covenant Place redevelopment plan provides the amount of parking dictated by applicable zoning ordinances. That amount is virtually unchanged from that which is currently provided at Covenant Place.

The portion of the old Strike and Spare property that is subject to Covenant Place’s option is the portion that would be least attractive for commercial development. If that option is exercised the remaining balance of the Strike and Spare property will be available for sale (by the JCC) for such development (consistent with applicable zoning constraints) as an acquirer may wish, including commercial development.

When completed, the new Covenant Place will provide its residents (and the entire Millstone Campus) with sidewalks and walking paths that are currently not available, as well as increased green spaces generally.

We believe that redeveloped Covenant Place will be a significant asset not only to the Millstone Campus but also to St. Louis County as a whole.

Alan C. Witte, President, Covenant Place

Jews from Missouri’s Lead Belt

Your recent review of “The Lead Belt Jewish Oral History Project” (“Local Jewish authors book shelf,” Jan. 1) was well received in the St. Louis community; however, as one of the contributors I and others feel you might have indicated by name those who came to St. Louis and made a significant impact on the St. Louis and Jewish community.  This impact was in charitable, educational, cultural and humanitarian community relations by persons such as Ambassador Sam Fox, Harvey Harris, Vida Prince  and Sam Sachs. Through people such as these our community as been provided with leadership and resources for needed services.  

Time and space may have prevented you from making this connection, and I appreciate your effort in bringing “The Project” to the  attention of the community. This publication was our attempt to record our stories of Jewish life in the Missouri Lead Belt prior to World War I, through the mid-1960s. Conditions were most probably the same in small towns throughout the United States for Jewish families. Acceptance in the community was not easily attained; nevertheless, our mothers and fathers were able to maintain their Jewish identity as well as overcome many obstacles to provide a better future for their children.  

Jerry Nuell, Olivette