Richmond Heights resident, Derek Bolden, who lives on Boland Place across the street from a proposed new apartment complex, plans to run for city council in District 2 in the April municipal election, he told 40 South in an email Friday.
“I am excited for the opportunity to help bring Richmond Heights back to the core values that make it a desirable place for families to come buy homes and raise their children,” Bolden said. “Lately the city has emphasized progress over tradition and I think it’s time things went the other way, more tradition and less progress.”
Bolden has been outspoken in his opposition to the proposed 207-family, multi-use development. Plan and zoning approved a zoning amendment to allow it 7-2; city council has had one reading of the ordinance.
Bolden said his packet to run will be turned in to city hall by the deadline — Jan. 19. He’ll be running against Rick Vilcek (incumbent) and Tony McEntire.
As of Jan. 6 there were no candidates for councilman for districts 1 or 4, according to the city on Twitter.
I want to hear more of your ideas than this project. What background do you have that has prepared you to take on this role? Where do you plan to take this city if you are elected?
My previous comment should have said residents over developers.
You have my vote. We need someone on the council who puts the needs of developers before residents. The projects being built lack charm and defy common sense.
Jamming a 200+ unit apartment building that is 62′ tall and 500′ long plus adding 300+ cars into a single family residential neighborhood is neither progress nor tradition. This quaint and quiet neighborhood need not accept the “responsibility” of making St.Louis a top city in America, as if this misplaced behemoth would somehow have such an impact on St. Louis.
Run on ! You can count on my support.
Thanks for the feedback. Philosophically I agree with progress and I do not believe that being for tradition is by default being anti-progress, the two things aren’t mutually exclusive. However, I will say that progress for the sake of progress serves no one. I intend to give voice to the Richmond Heights homeowners and small business owners, folks who have made some of the largest investments of their lifetimes in this city. I believe that those commitments should mean something to City Hall and I will not be swayed to the contrary by big money developers who wave promises of increased revenues in front my face. I guess you can call me old fashioned in that way but I don’t believe that people’s homes (or home values) should ever be collateral damage on the road to “progress”. It is simply not fair and not right. Thank you and I look forward to continuing this conversation.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please email me at [email protected]
I wonder if most of the people that are for this proposed apartment construction happen to live next to it. It is so easy for someone living in a neighborhood that this kind of project would never go into, to say that they are for it and for “progress” for the city of RH. While I am definitely in favor of progress, I don’t think that is what Mr Bolden means. I think he is in favor of progress for the city but there comes a time when it’s just overkill. There are already 800 apartments going in at the old Manhassett Village site and more near the Sunnen campus!! If anyone had the chance to look at the scale of this building they would see that it looks from an aerial view, like someone dropped the Galleria parking lot into Boland and Dale. Literally! I am for a new and fresh perspective in a counci member in this district and I am ready for some new ideas. He definetely Is the one to watch and I can’t wait to learn more about him!
It is always a good when citizens step up and try to take a greater responsibility in their local government. He has an issue with some of the decisions being made and wants to change it. Good for him. I can understand why he has concerns given that his district has seen the clearing of homes for a Menards and now potentially more clearing of land. While I am more supportive of the new apartment construction, I can appreciate that his opposition probably appeals to many residents of District 2.
That being said, to those people like myself who think the inner ring cities (MW, RH, Clayton, UCity, etc) play a critical part in the growth of the St Louis area and make it a great place to live, find candidates who are “more tradition and less progress” to be a constant reminder of why St Louis continues to struggle in becoming a top city in America.