Staying Safe
AT THE DOWNTOWN CLUBHOUSE When the MAC conducted its COVID-19-related survey at the end of August, several Members reported they felt unsafe visiting the Downtown Clubhouse and Downtown St. Louis in general. GM Wally Smith talked about security measures that have been taken to ensures Members’ safety in a video sent out at the end of September, and work continues to strengthen these efforts. Over the course of the past year, the Club spent $30,000 to have new LEDs installed in the parking garage as part of a PACE project. New lighting has also been installed out on the valet lot as well, though the MAC does not own that lot. During the initial months of the pandemic and periods of unrest, the Downtown Clubhouse consolidated its open doors to just the Lucas Avenue entrance, with the remainder of the Clubhouse secured. The Lucas Avenue entrance has 24/7 security, with additional security during times of Member activity between the garage and Clubhouse. Club leadership has been working with Hackett Security and GardaWorld to evaluate camera locations, as well. In the past several months, 35 new cameras have been installed throughout the Downtown Clubhouse. The security team is also in the process of replacing 20 analog cameras that don’t feature high-quality images or have zoom capabilities. Security supervisor Fred Nelson, who has been with the MAC since 1994, knows “every crevice of the building inside and out” and has been on the security team for 15 years. He notes that while other hotels in the Downtown St. Louis area have fairly frequent reports of garage break-ins, the MAC does not,
BUILDING A LEGACY Project to Restore the Downtown Clubhouse Nears Completion
The exterior renovations on the Downtown Clubhouse should be completed in the next few weeks. The project began earlier this year as part of the Building on Tradition Campaign to restore and beautify the Downtown Clubhouse. This project was made possible through a grant
and there haven’t been any major crimes around the Clubhouse. “We have the ability to lock doors down during periods of unrest, and that’s something that I can even do from home,” Nelson says. Other features that have been added to include panic switches in the steam and sauna rooms and women’s locker room Downtown. Some doors, like the garage door, are alarmed after they’re locked and alert the security desk and Nelson’s cell phone if there’s a disturbance. There are also time-release locks on the doors which are scheduled to open at certain times in the morning and then lock at night. They can be adjusted at any time. Additionally, Club leadership has also established a Memberstaff security task force that meets regularly to assess our systems and to plan additional safety measures. GM Wally Smith said this group plans to engage with St. Louis City leadership and “firmly have a presence and interest in City safety plan initiatives.” Smith noted that the MAC will have a “united voice” in pressuring the need for safety as 2,200 concerned St. Louisans and members of the Downtown St. Louis community. The security team at the Downtown Clubhouse collectively has years of experience and is equipped to ensure the safety of MAC Members no matter the time of day. Danny Slay is a United States Marine Corps veteran and retired police officer who has worked at the MAC since 2014. Greg Thompson has been with the Club since 2013 and Richard Scholl since 1993. “We know the Members,” Nelson said. “If anyone wants to be walked to the garage, just ask at the desk anytime.”
from the Robert J. Trulaske Jr. Family Foundation and generous donations from our Members to the Building on Tradition Fund and at the Preservation Foundation Ball, which took place earlier this year on Feb. 15. Thank you to the many generous Members who were integral in making this project a possibility. These renovations on the exterior of the building are taking place on both the eastern and southern-facing elevations. This project includes tuckpointing, power washing, wood windows, metal rails, window lintel and sills, terra cotta, granite and limestone. Other work includes masonry cleaning and brick water repellent. Cherry Diamond F NOV 2020 F 7
