What's Next for the Former Paraclete Property?

Al Moore discusses how he may use the land, following the Sunset Hills board's rejection of his proposal for a community library.

A week after the Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen rejected resident Al Moore’s request to operate a library on the former Paraclete property, he’s already considering alternative uses for the property. The board unanimously rejected Moore’s request on March 12 based on a lack of compromise between the property's owner, Al Moore, and residents in the Tapawingo subdivisions. Alderman Dee Baebler was absent. Moore is still seeking historical status for four buildings on the property, according to Suburban Journals. Moore told Suburban Journals he’s “been in touch with some churches and schools” to use the property. Read the full report on Suburban Journals.  

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Sunset Hills Board Passes on Library for Former Paraclete Property

Third time was not the charm for Sunset Hills resident Al Moore. One alderman said his rejection of the proposal stemmed from a lack of compromise with neighbors in the Tapawingo subdivisions.

Sunset Hills Board: No Library on Paraclete Property

Third time was not the charm for Sunset Hills resident Al Moore. One alderman said his rejection of the proposal stemmed from a lack of compromise with neighbors in the Tapawingo subdivisions.

The Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen unanimously rejected a request to convert the former Paraclete property into a library, based on a lack of compromise between the property's owner, Al Moore, and residents in the Tapawingo subdivisions. In August Moore proposed converting the former estate of "Papa" Joe Griesedieck into a cultural center. The plan was met with pushback from residents living in three subdivisions near the Tapawingo National Golf Course, who had concerns about its effect on the character of the neighborhood, the potential 'transient' population coming in, the safety of their children, additional traffic on private streets, and the lack of specific details in the business plan (particularly hours of operation during special …

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Sunset Hills Board Holds Off on Moore Library Decision

Residents near the Tapawingo National Golf Course are still believe a proposal for a community library on the former Paraclete property is too vague.

A decision for a community library on the former Paraclete property in Sunset Hills was delayed last month. In early August resident Al Moore proposed converting the former estate of "Papa" Joe Griesedieck into a cultural center, with activities ranging from children's theater to artist's retreat. The plan included four small libraries with spaces for rotating art and history exhibits. The plan was met with pushback from residents living near the Tapawingo National Golf Course, who had concerns about the safety of their neighborhood, increased traffic on private streets, and the details lacking from its business plan. The concept was scaled back to a library. Suggested uses for the buildings under the revised plan include: Attorney John …

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Meeting Agendas: Community Library Back for Public Hearing

Sunset Hills resident Al Moore hopes to operate a community library on the former Paraclete property near the Tapawingo National Golf Course.

The Crestwood and Sunset Hills boards of aldermen are meeting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25. Here's a peek at what's on each agenda. Crestwood View the full agenda. Sunset Hills View the full agenda.

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Sunset Hills Planning Commission Passes on Community Library

The majority of commission members voted against resident Al Moore's proposal for a library on the former Paraclete property after hearing from several dissatisfied Tapawingo residents.

After listening to dozens of residents' concerns over the past few months, the Sunset Hills planning and zoning commission decided not to grant their recommendation for a community library near the Tapawingo National Golf Course. Several neighbors in the surrounding subdivisions said they believed Al Moore's proposal, The Moore Library at Tapawingo, would compromise neighborhood safety, in addition to lacking a detailed business plan.  Moore first presented his concept to the commission in August, when the project included elements of a cultural center. Moore said he scaled down the project based on neighborhood feedback, but pushed for the project in order to preserve the 10-acre property's historical buildings.  The project does not …

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Five Frequently Asked Questions About the Proposed Moore Library in Tapawingo

Last month a Sunset Hills resident discussed his revised intentions to turn the former Griesedieck property into a community library. Residents had several questions on traffic impact, parking, and operating hours.

Sunset Hills resident Al Moore announced last month that he was pitching the former Griesedieck property, also known as the Paraclete property, as a community library instead of a cultural center. Residents who were hesitant about the cultural center concept still had several of the same questions on a library's potential impact to neighborhood traffic and safety, usage on streets, and its business plan.  Patch spoke with one of Moore's associates, Jim Johnston, to get more information on how the library would function within the Tapawingo and Sunset Hills communities. The library’s major collections (history, children’s books, art) will be split in different buidings, with plenty of outdoor and indoor seating areas. The non-profit first …

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Moore Cultural Center Proposal Narrowed to Library, Exhibit Space

Sunset Hills resident Al Moore's revised plan for the Paraclete includes a library and exhibit space. Neighbors still want more specific information on its impact to Tapawingo residents.

Nearly 20 individuals spoke during open comment after hearing a re-tooled plan for the Moore Cultural Center during Wednesday night's planning and zoning commission meeting, which is now being pitched as a community library. While several neighbors to the former Paraclete property said they found the new proposal encouraging, they asked planning commission members to table a decision until next month so all residents can discuss the revised project. “We don’t believe there’s enough information that’s been shared. It’s an eleventh-hour compromise,” said Manors of Tapawingo resident Don Hagen. “Additional details should be filed with the city in writing so the concerned citizens have time to properly consider what these details are.” In …

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Letter to the Editor: Cultural Center in Tapawingo Would Be "Most Charitable Gift to Sunset Hills"

"Once historical value is lost--it is gone forever," writes resident Drew Baebler. He supports Al Moore's proposal to retain the Paraclete property as a multi-use cultural center.

The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by Sunset Hills resident, attorney Drew Baebler:  I read with interest the book written by Sandie Grassino on the history of Sunset Hills. I purchased and read the book the same day. The anecdotes and pictures made this an insightful read.   I was struck by the number of historical structures in our area that had been razed in the name of “progress.” The developers are long gone, and all we have are memories and pictures, thanks to Grassino.   Right now in Sunset Hills on the rise overlooking the Tapawingo Golf Course we have the opportunity to preserve the ten-acre Griesedieck estate, summer home to the famous brewer of Falstaff and Stag.   On this mostly wooded land stands a stone castle …

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