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In 1977 James Conway became the forty-fifth Mayor of St. Louis.
Mayor Conway obtained a $15,000,000 Federal grant opening the way for a $150,000 May Department Stores Shopping Mall. Legislation enabling construction of new downtown office buildings was guided through the Board of Alderman.
Col. Leonard Griggs, Air Force Retired, was brought in to head the Airport.
Comptroller Percich and the Mayor differed on interpretations of the City Charter. As a result, lawsuits and threats of lawsuits were brought by the Mayor. He did gain control over spending $35,000,000 in Federal Community Development block grants, in a bout with the Board of Aldermen.
Mayor Conway succeeded in getting the $25,000 city salary limit removed from the charter. In the primary election of August 5, 1980, the voters approved this amendent to the City charter. Duplication of services at City and Homer Phillips Hospitals concerned Mayor Conway. His movement toward changing the role of Phillips Hospital occupied much of his time. Consolidating most hospital services at City Hospital led him into conflict with residents from the City's north side. The transfer of patients and equipment from Phillips to City Hospital came in 1979.
Conway had more problems with north side residents when he recommended the construction of the long considered North-South Distributor Highway. brought controversy with North Side residents. These conflicts were largely responsible for the delayed budget ordinance for the year 1979/80. This budget was passed by the Alderman eight months after the start of the fiscal year.
Mayor Conway sought control over the Police Department budget, as had former Mayors. Since 1861 the City police have been under State control but with the city paying the bill. Mayor Conway did not succeed in having this changed by the 1980 legislature.
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