From the Journal, By Jim Merkel. Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Not far from where Marti Frumhoff lived and extolled the benefits of urban life, a memorial garden in her honor is taking shape.
Frumhoff, who died on May 16, 2007 at her home in the Tower Grove South Neighborhood, was known as a real estate agent, the founder of the widely-popular St. Louis Rehabbers Club, and as a promoter of the idea of bringing people back into the city.
After her death at the age of 50, supporters quickly moved to establish a permanent monument in her honor. The result is the Marti Frumhoff Memorial Garden on a rebuilt traffic island at the intersection of Utah Street and Morganford Road in the Tower Grove South Neighborhood.
"People were incredibly responsive. They were wonderful," said Christian Herman, a leader of the effort.
"Marti was a positive force in the city," Herman said.
"Marti was very instrumental in getting people to move into this neighborhood," said Peggy Hoelting, one of the leaders of the effort to create a memorial for Frumhoff. "I think she would have been very please with what's happening on Morganford and this garden."
In recent years, the formerly-moribund section of Morganford from Utah north to Arsenal Street has seen new life, with stores, restaurants and other commercial activity.
The city spent $30,000 this summer to rebuild and enlarge an island that already was there, and add handicap-accessible walkways, and a sprinkler system. Alderman Joseph Vollmer, D-10th Ward, who represents the area of the memorial, contributed $28,500 from city capital funds allocated to his ward. Alderwoman Jennifer Florida, D-15th Ward, who represents the area just to the east, contributed $1,500.
"A lot of the neighbors had come to me wanting to do something to memorialize Marti for all of her work," Vollmer said.
While the city's work on the island is already done, planting is not. Hoelting, a horiticulturist, did some planting and design work before the weather became cold. More is planned in the spring before a planned dedication.
