Spring is in the air, and security improvements continue to be made at the MAC! In late March, the Club saw the arrival of the new parking machines, which enable Members to enter and exit the garage via automated license plate readers. Around the same time, the last of the new exterior security cameras was installed, giving the MAC security team more all-encompassing views of the streets surrounding the Downtown Clubhouse. Members arriving to the Downtown Clubhouse in the evenings may have also noticed that new lights were installed over the walkway between the parking garage and the Lucas Street entrance, aiding visibility and providing a more comfortable pathway between the two buildings. The Downtown Clubhouse is in the heart of one of the safest blocks in Downtown St. Louis, so come enjoy your Club!
Around mid-March, Members may have noticed some work being done at the entrance of the Lucas Street parking garage. This work is part of the new garage system the MAC is implementing, which will include license plate readers to better monitor incoming and outgoing vehicles. This system will also make entering and exiting the garage easier for Members and their guests.
The Downtown Clubhouse sits on one of the safest blocks in St. Louis City, and the MAC administration and Downtown Security Task Force are regularly in discussions about new initiatives that could be implemented.
Security supervisor Fred Nelson says that Members are always welcome to ask a security desk employee for an escort to their vehicle if they feel uncomfortable for any reason.
Additionally, the new camera system in the front of the Clubhouse and all around the building has been installed and should be up and running by the Cardinals’ home opener on April 8.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to improve security in the downtown area on a daily basis,” Nelson says.
The MAC has been busy continuing to implement new security and safety features at both Clubhouses over the course of the past several months.
Wiring for new cameras was installed with the West Clubhouse Phase Two work in 2019 and early 2020, and the cameras are now up and fully operational both inside and outside the Clubhouse. They’re monitored 24/7 by the Downtown Clubhouse security desk and can also be viewed by Darrin Harnetiaux and the folks at Hackett Security.
In Downtown St. Louis, the entire Downtown Clubhouse is also under 24/7 surveillance. In addition to the dozens of cameras installed throughout and around the Downtown Clubhouse, the Club has implemented cameras at the front of the building with a view of Washington Avenue. Additional cameras were installed down the 4th Avenue side heading north, along with in and around the outside of the garage, providing a peripheral view of the garage building. Upon entering the Downtown Clubhouse at the Lucas Street entrance, guests are also able to see some of the security footage that’s projected on a newly installed monitor in the hallway near the security desk.
New lights have been installed in between the parking garage and the Clubhouse building, ensuring the crosswalk and that section of Lucas Street are well-lit and easily accessible no matter the time of day. Uniformed police officers continue to greet people and ensure the safety of those crossing in between the garage and Clubhouse building for large events.
Garage operations will be shifting in the coming months, with the addition of equipment that will further automate entering and exiting the garage. A new system will check license plates and take photos of drivers so the MAC security team is privy to who’s coming and going. It will also make things easier for those using the garage.
The MAC administration and Downtown Security Task Force are continuing to explore efforts to maintain the security of the Clubhouse and the area around it. Members are encouraged to come visit and enjoy the variety of amenities available, including dining and fitness facilities. The Downtown Clubhouse is open and in full operation according to St. Louis City safety protocol.
In the latter months of 2020, several new efforts were implemented to keep Members safer in and around the Downtown Clubhouse. In November and December issues of the Cherry Diamond, we reported that new LEDs had been installed in the parking garage, and additional cameras had been installed throughout the Clubhouse. The Downtown Security Task Force (DSTF) was formed, and further initiatives continue to be explored.
One of these initiatives includes hiring uniformed police officers to greet people and ensure the safety of those walking from the parking garage to the Lucas Street entrance of the Clubhouse, which is the only entrance open at this time. These officers greeted Members and guests at events like Breakfast with Santa, the Jack Buck Sports Awards and the Wine Society’s Holiday Wine Dinner. GM Wally Smith said there has been a great response to having these officers at bigger functions.
Security supervisor Fred Nelson reports that within the area of the Club, there were no crimes reported in the months of October and November, and overall crime in the Downtown St. Louis area is down 19 percent.
Smith surmises this is because of increased efforts in the Downtown community regarding control measures, bike police, the sheriff’s department assisting, along with the traffic control barriers that are in place on several key streets throughout the City.
The MAC administration and DSTF are continuing to explore efforts to maintain the security of the Clubhouse and the area around it. Members are encouraged to come visit and enjoy the variety of amenities available, including dining and fitness facilities.
The Downtown Clubhouse is open and in full operation according to St. Louis City safety protocol.
In recent months and years, the Missouri Athletic Club has taken steps to upgrade its security technology and ensure the safety of both employees and Members in and around the Downtown Clubhouse. In the November
Cherry Diamond (see article below), we shared that new LEDs had been installed in the parking garage and new cameras had been installed throughout the Clubhouse. Initiatives like this continue to be implemented and will be shared as they are carried out.
MAC Board and staff members recently formed the Downtown Security Task Force (DTSF), which meets with the mission to ensure those in the Clubhouses both feel safe and are safe.
Since the restoration project was finished on the exterior of the Downtown Clubhouse, new cameras are being installed on the 4th Street side and Washington Avenue side. In addition, for larger functions, the MAC is looking into hiring uniformed police officers to greet people and ensure the safety of those walking from the parking garage to the Lucas Street entrance of the Clubhouse, which is the only entrance open at this time. The DTSF noted in a recent meeting that the presence of an “Officer Friendly” type of person would give peace of mind to Members, staff and guests as they arrive.
In the garage, new equipment is set to be installed prior to the 2021 Cardinals season, which would include a system that tracks license plates entering and exiting the garage and additional cameras and lighting. GM Wally Smith noted that with the Federal Reserve building next door and the MAC’s security efforts, the Clubhouse is located on one of the safety blocks in St. Louis City.
With restaurants closed in St. Louis County, now is the perfect time for West Clubhouse regulars to come to the Downtown Clubhouse and enjoy a meal and the Clubhouse’s festive holiday décor. The beloved train display is up and running, and the iconic MAC Christmas tree is ready for photos in the lobby. With the above safety and security measures in place, the Downtown Clubhouse is the perfect place to get in the holiday spirit and find a sense of normalcy.
“Come on down, and don’t forget your safe route,” he said.
The most direct routes to the Downtown Clubhouse from I-64 and I-44 can be found below.
From eastbound I-64
Take exit 40 for 6th Street
Turn left onto Gratiot Street (signs for America’s Center/Gateway Arch/Lumiere Place)
Use any lane to turn left onto S 4th Street
In 0.9 miles, turn left onto Lucas Street
Immediate right into the MAC parking garage
From northbound I-44
Take exit 292 for Lumiere Place Blvd. toward Washington Avenue/Eads Bridge
Continue onto Lumiere Place Blvd.
Turn left onto Washington Avenue Turn right onto N 4th Street
Immediate left onto Lucas Street
Immediate right into the MAC parking garage
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, 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 Member-staff 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 or day. Danny Slay is a United States Marine Corp 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.”
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