clayton | On the market for a while, with one potential deal having already fallen through in October, the former Caleres headquarters complex—longtime St. Louisans would know this company as a descendant of Brown Shoe Co.—was snatched up in early January by Clayton School District. For what? Unclear. Residents and former mayors, among others, made their displeasure known, such that the school district abandoned the plan on Jan. 22, the absolute deadline for backing out. Valued by the county at $33.5 million, the 9.6-acre property, consisting of three buildings close to Clayton High School, was under contract for $20.9 million when the district canceled the sale. Dubbed the ‘Campus Empowerment Project’ by district administrators, what sort of empowerment that would entail was not consistent, or coherent. Some school officials said it could be redeveloped as new facilities for athletics or advancements in technology education, others that it could be ‘flipped’ for commercial or retail redevelopment. At least one area developer insists that commercial real estate is the wrong pool for a school district to wade into. The Staenberg Group in Clayton has floated the idea of an entertainment complex similar to The Hub at The District in Chesterfield, which the developer created by refashioning Taubman Fashion Outlets. We’re not suggesting that Clayton is a prime location for such a space-hungry sports entertainment location, but along with many of the metro’s finest eateries, the county seat could use another evening entertainment option or two, and the closest bowling alley is Tropicana Lanes in Richmond Heights. We’d venture to say demographics or current zoning would prohibit such an enterprise, a miniature golf course and the like. Or another Waffle House or McDonald’s. But, what about a nice little jazz club—or, with so much square footage available, a roller disco? We haven’t had one of those around here in, like, forever. OK—suffice it to say, plans were amorphous, at best. In any event, having come to its senses after dodging a bullet with the Caleres debacle, the school district has committed to more transparency with the public. Since it gets the lion’s share of revenue generated by property taxes, its actions must more closely align with expectations of the families whose children are educated there. Surprises are meant for the Super Bowl, not long-term facilities planning.
u. city
The RuPaul coming to the StL next month isn’t the drag queen you know from pop radio, the over-the-top fabulous outfits or the Emmy-winning RuPaul’s Drag Race reality show and its spinoffs. Out—and out-there—the pop culture icon and international drag superstar invites you to a ‘spiritual awakening’ to celebrate the release of his memoir, The House of Hidden Meanings. Allow your mind, body and soul to be enveloped in RuPaul’s lyrically poignant stories on life, love and finding your voice. During this special event at The Pageant in the Delmar Loop, RuPaul offers fans and the uninitiated a manual for living—a personal philosophy that testifies to the value of chosen family, the importance of harnessing what makes you different and the transformational power of facing yourself fearlessly. Proceeds benefit the St. Louis County Library Foundation’s community literacy initiatives. Tickets for the event—March 11 at 7 p.m.—are available at metrotix.com. For an even more glam-centric experience, a pricier VIP meet-and-greet opportunity including a personally signed copy of the book is available.
the metro
“What’s that buzz? / Tell me what’s a-happening,” a lyric from the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, might be an appropriate response to all that racket coming from the trees this summer after not one, but two, separate broods of cicadas emerge throughout the Midwest. We’re all used to appearances every summer of different species, which also have stayed underground as larvae for a Very. Long. Time. Entomologists say these particular red-eyed critters have been aliens underground for either 13 or 17 years. We’ve all seen abandoned exoskeletons (the one pictured is attached to our recycling bin; pretty thoughtful for an organism with no capability of thought). Many adults buzz back to earth or never make it into the tree canopy, and they flail around awhile before giving up. But there could be more than twice as many of the big little buggers this year. The last time two broods emerged simultaneously was 221 years ago. Supposedly, they don’t bite or sting but may start working on you with their mouth parts as though you were a tree branch. The one pictured in your reporter’s hand was ejected shortly after something hurt. Yep: It really sucked. And so will all that noise!
notable neighbors
kirkwood
Many people are lucky enough just to retire these days. Former Monsanto/Solutia exec Christy Beckmann counts herself fortunate to have retired twice. So far, that is. Her involvement with numerous nonprofit boards has kept this Kirkwood resident plenty busy since leaving the corporate world after 30-plus years. Beckmann had been senior VP of public affairs for the foundation arm of Monsanto and then went with Solutia, its spinoff, until she was ‘downsized’ in 2000, but she didn’t stay unemployed for long. Soon she took a position in Chicago with Abbott Laboratories—after two years, she returned home and joined United Way of Greater St. Louis for two more. Throughout her career(s) she has kept focused on what any organization can do for the greater good. Beckmann’s nonprofit roles have concentrated on the arts, “because it’s fun!” But she’s also a committed mental-health advocate, not the least due to her late daughter Anya’s diagnosis of bipolar disorder while a freshman at Cornell. It’s been said that life happens when you’re busy making other plans, and this certainly is the case for Beckmann, whose husband, architect Jim Vykopal, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 10 years ago. Since a superseding diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia, Vykopal has resided at Dolan Memory Care. Although a broken hip landed him in the hospital the very night before our first interview, Beckmann kept the appointment and was very gracious despite her lack of rest. “Resilience is a key word for me,” she acknowledges. She joined the National Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance after her daughter’s diagnosis, and has chaired the Chicago-based nonprofit’s board. She’d initially become involved to learn about the disorder and may have absorbed more than she’d wished: Beyond their prescribed psychiatric meds, many bipolar patients self-medicate with alcohol or other drugs. Alcohol abuse finally claimed Anya at 36. But Beckmann parlayed her tragic experience into volunteering at Harris House, a St. Louis addiction treatment and recovery center, eventually joining the staff as its first fundraising director. Beckmann, we must point out, seems devoid of self-pity. Volunteering—paying it forward— must have been hard-wired since before her professional career began at Saint Louis Art Museum in 1974. So, the arts bookend her experience: She’s been on the board of Big Muddy Dance Company since 2011, having chaired it, too, emphasizing with a chuckle that it’s a modern dance company, pure and simple: “No toe shoes, no tutus.” Passion and pragmatism are among the strengths her colleagues say she brings to the table. “She’s an accomplished accomplice,” says Peter Palermo, director of the Sheldon Concert Hall & Art Galleries. Beckmann is also on the boards of COCA, Black Tulip Chorale, Craft Alliance, Washington University Eliot Society and cycles off the Kirkwood Arts Foundation board this spring. “I find my joy in being involved with arts nonprofits. I embrace vulnerability but bring a business perspective.” And, to answer an unasked question, she’s been a Pioneer for a long time—back in the day, Beckmann was yearbook editor at Kirkwood High.
