Last August the Brentwood Board of Aldermen rejected 4-3 a zoning variance for the east end of Madge Avenue that would have allowed Boys Hope Girls Hope to build an office and dormitories for middle and high school-age boys and girls.
It now looks like Boys Hope Girls Hope could end up in Richmond Heights.
The Richmond Heights City Council at tonight’s meeting will hear public comments, then have the first reading on the site plan and preliminary and final development plan for Boys Hope Girls Hope to build at 8019, 8023, 8031 and 8035 Elinor Avenue. The second reading is scheduled for April 21. The site is on the north side of the street. Menards, soon to be under construction, will be on the south side.
Currently just the two homes — one for boys and one for girls — are being proposed. An office and learning center may follow between the homes, at 8027 Elinor.
Boys Hope Girls Hope Executive Director Brian Hipp said Monday that the group has been happy with how cooperative the city of Richmond Heights has been.
“We’ve been in communication with our prospective neighbors and there seems to be a very positive sense of what Boys Hope Girls Hope can bring to the community,” he said, “but of course we’re not going to take anything for granted until the council makes their decision.”
If approved, some of the students (approximately 10 boys and 10 girls) will attend Maplewood Richmond Heights middle and high school, and some will go to private schools. The homes are for promising students in need of a supportive place to live during the school year.
Hipp said the group and the school district has communicated. “We think that while neither has made any commitments, there does seem to be a spirit of openness to collaboration.”
Update: The Richmond Heights City Council passed the first reading of the Boys Hope Girls Hope proposal with no questions asked, according to 40 South News reporter, Kristin Schultz, who will have a full report Tuesday.
I agree there is a need for a resource like BHGH in most communities. The question I have is where do the students go during the summer? If they don’t have a safe place during the school year, why is it okay to send them back to where they came from? I have questioned this of Joe’s Place. Joe’s Place provides a safe place during the school week, but what about the weekends? It is all or nothing folks. I don’t understand the reasoning, could someone please fill me in?
I read that they want the students to remain in contact with their families. Joe’s Place gives them a stable home close to the school so they can focus on school and activities. On the weekends they are with their families. They aren’t trying to separate kids from family. This is only what I read from online resources after hearing about Joe’s Place.
Becca, what is “Joe’s Place”? Thank you.
BHGH in Maplewood would be a blessing. Maplewood is an up and coming area, with delightful, out of the way cafe’s, healthy restaurants, great shopping and easy access to both I-64 and I-44. I sincerely hope both parties can come to agreeable terms so we can welcome our new neighbors.