By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – A measure to lease a small part of Forest Park to Barnes-Jewish Hospital went down in silence at today's Board of Estimate meeting.
Mayor Francis Slay made the motion to approve the $2 million a year lease deal. Neither Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury nor Comptroller Darlene Green seconded the motion, preventing a vote.
Of the three-member Board of Estimate Comptroller Darlene Green was the only vote in question.
Green says she still believes a compromise can be reached on the deal, but says public input is crucial.
"I am very strongly committed to making sure the public's voice is heard and that public input is in this proposal before we have a final proposal, and I don't believe that will be until after the April 3rd vote," Green said after the meeting.
Green says she plans to meet with officials from B.J.C. and the Citizens to Protect Forest Park tomorrow.
This is the last week the Board of Aldermen could have voted on the deal before voters take up the question on the April ballot. Proposition P asks whether voter approval is needed before parkland can be sold or leased.
Carla Scissors-Cohen with the Citizens to Protect Forest Park says the group is thrilled with the lease deal's failure, and will focus on educating the public about the ballot measure.
Mayor Slay said he was disappointed the deal did not pass but indicated it will likely come up again.