Saint Louis Urban Workshop

St. Louis Urban Workshop and Urban STL Forum Now On Joomla With Wiki and Social Features

2010-03-14T12:59:00.003-05:00

Did I say "Wordpress"? Well, we decided to fly on by and and land on Joomla. The new site address is http://urbanstl.com/. In the coming days the http://www.stlurbanworkshop.com/ address will be redirected and other conversion issues will be tackled. I've combined efforts with others in the St. Louis on-line community to offer what will hopefully be a better experience and resource for those wanting to learn more about their urban environment.

What's Joomla? If you're interested you can look here: http://www.joomla.org/about-joomla.html. The thing to know is that the switch has allowed us to integrate four major components: blog, forum, wiki and social. To be sure, it remains a work in progress, but we think that this format will work well as a hub for those interested in urban issues in St. Louis.

Here's a quick rundown of the major components:

Blog: The blog is in many ways a carry-over of the St. Louis Urban Workshop. It serves to highlight urban development and news, synthesizing various sources, including the Urban STL forum. If you're not inclined to read through a couple pages of comments on the latest regarding City to River, for example, a blog post can serve to present a summary of this information. If you want to dig deeper there's always the Forum.

Forum: The forum will continue to work as the Urban STL forum has worked for several years. There's a new template, some new features that allow you to read only your unread messages, etc. Of course the forum is also on a new server so it's fast and reliable.

Wiki: This is simple - don't care to read 295 pages of comments about Ballpark Village? Want to know more about the 1964 World's Fair Spanish Pavilion? The wiki is where you will find concise summaries of projects and events, development timelines, history of renderings, etc. The wiki needs input from the Urban STL community. Over time we will build an encyclopedia of urban development in St. Louis.

Social: Create special interest groups, focus on issues or events. Share photos and videos, chat with others on Urban STL and follow all your activities on Urban STL. Sign up and give it a try.

We welcome comments as we continue to work on the project. Head on over to http://urbanstl.com/ and let us know what you think. You can also leave a comment on the Urban STL forum "upgrade status" thread.

Gentrification in the Spotlight at City Affair

2010-03-02T15:32:00.006-06:00

Gentrification: "the process by which central urban neighborhoods that have undergone disinvestment and economic decline experience a reversal, reinvestment, and the in-migration of a relatively well-off, middle- and upper middle-class population."

This month's City Affair discussion will focus on the issue of gentrification. From the City Affair website:

We will look to our panelists for discussion about the function of gentrification, the dynamics that they perceive as contributing to gentrification, and what can be done through policy to minimize negative effects of gentrification.

The panel consists of:
Steven Smith - Owner of the Royale and activist.
Minerva Lopez - Past President of the Cherokee Station Business Association
Alex Ihnen - Regional Director of Development at Washington University, blogger at St. Louis Urban Workshop
Alycia Green - Advocate at The People's Advocate St. Louis
Michael Allen will moderate the panel discussion.

Following forty five minutes of panel discussion we will open the floor to audience questions.

CITY AFFAIR XIV: GENTRIFICATION

MARCH 4, 2010
7:30-9:00 PM
STYLEhouse (STL-Style)
3155 Cherokee St.
Saint Louis, Mo. 63118

I hope that it will be wide-ranging discussion as I believe that there's much to be considered about the issue of gentrification as it pertains to St. Louis. I do need to offer a quick disclaimer: although I am employed by Washington University, I in no way whatsoever represent the school. I work at the university as a fundraiser and travel throughout New England, Ohio and parts of Florida. I can’t influence policy and I have no more information about anything outside of my Alumni and Development Office than anyone reading this.

My wife and I purchased a home in Forest Park Southeast in 2006 in the 4400 block of Gibson Avenue. The Grove, as it is increasingly becoming known, may be the St. Louis neighborhood witnessing the greatest degree of change. If you read this blog even sporadically you likely know that a new park is coming to the neighborhood, Manchester Avenue will receive a new streetscape in the coming year and a number of other big plans are in the works. These are positive developments.

By definition, The Grove is gentrifying. What issues arise in this process? What are the conflicts? Who is being affected and what can or should be done about it? Hopefully I can share my experience in The Grove and offer thoughts on what "gentrification" means in St. Louis.

Washington University Exploring Options to Add Up-To 7-Story Student Housing to The Delmar Loop

2010-03-01T12:44:00.006-06:00

The Loop may be the most vibrant strip in St. Louis, but it does have its holes. Developer Joe Edwards continues to fill some of these with Pin-Up Bowl, the Pageant and the Moonrise Hotel all adding density and activity to the East Loop. But there are holes in The Loop west of Skinker Boulevard as well.

Many ideas are being kicked around for these sites, a two-story CVS Pharmacy, mixed retail and added parking, and more, but one idea at least has been put on the drawing board: Washington University student housing. Student Life, Washington University's independent newspaper ran a story this past week stating that the school sent students a questionnaire gauging student interest in living in The Loop.

Student housing as well as rehabbed apartments and converted condos have become increasingly popular north of Delmar. There doesn't seem to be any reason why students would not like to live directly on Delmar, closer to school and all that The Loop has to offer. The only impediment may be cost.

From the Student Life story: “We’ve purchased a significant number of buildings off campus,” McLeod (Dean James McLeod, the vice cancellor for students) said. “This is part of a larger effort to have excellent housing for students on or near campus. It’s not just north of Delmar; it’s also south of Delmar. We are looking at all areas where we have property already.”

This means that the school is looking at more locations than just the site on Delmar shown in the rendering above. Other locations include "North Campus," a large triangle-shaped area bounded by Skinker Boulevard to the west, MetroLink tracks to the east and the Pageant and other businesses fronting Delmar to the south.

More from Student Life: But community members should not be worried, McLeod said, as the University values the character of the communities surrounding the University, and has no current plans to buy up large amounts of property. The community is “a real asset” for the University, he said, making good neighbor status a top priority... There is no aggressive buying plan right now. That doesn’t rule out lots of different ways we could…trade buildings, we could purchase buildings.”

Evaluating student housing needs is a constant and ongoing endeavor for Washington University and this story contains no surprises, other than that the school may be closer to formally considering development options for its vacant lots in The Loop.

"City to River" Calls for a New Memorial Drive, Demolition of I-70 in Downtown St. Louis

2010-02-17T14:57:00.004-06:00

The truly grassroots citizen group "City to River" is calling for St. Louis to "reopen our front door." While some of the world's best and brightest consider how to finish the Arch grounds itself, some realize that without the reconsideration of human-scale connections to the park and river, any effort will only serve to highlight the existing divide.

The group addresses pedestrian connections, traffic flow, time-lines and project cost. It's apparent that such an effort is sorely needed in the city as the decisions made in the coming months and years will dictate the form of our riverfront for the next half-century. As City to River highlights, St. Louis would not be breaking any new ground here as many cities have removed sections of Interstate highways. It can be done and is being done.

In many places, sections of Interstates were simply removed without significant additions to adjacent infrastructure. Here, the coming Mississippi River Bridge makes the 1.4-mile section of downtown redundant to many travelers. For less money than a three-block lid, shouldn't St. Louis be talking about removing part of I-70, reconnecting downtown to the river and creating an environment for further development? Of course we should. Let's hope that City to River is the group that can move the conversation in the right direction at the highest levels.

Washington University Professor Challenges Paul McKee's NorthSide Numbers

2010-02-16T22:55:00.009-06:00

As three North St. Louis City residents challenge the "blighted" label given to their neighborhood, several experts are testifying on the issue in court. The definition of "blight" is likely to be the focus of judge Larry Dierker's decision, but most of the testimony so far appears to deal with other lines of criticism.

There's no way to prove that 20,000 (or even 20) jobs will be created or that a single person will move to NorthSide. The projections set forth by the City and Paul McKee could be unrealistic, but the criticism leveled at them in court has been no more grounded. If, as many believe, the NorthSide project is obviously flawed, it should be easier to criticize than it is proving to be.

Washington University Economics Department Chair and member of the Federal Reserve Advisory Board in St. Louis stated, "(McKee's plan) is something that if an MBA student came up with as a term paper, I would throw him out of the office. There are no numbers to back it up." He also claimed it would be "a miracle" if the project created the economic activity needed to justify the public financing behind the plan.

Now, I'm not an economics professor, let alone the Chair of an economics department at a premier university, but this testimony seems a little thin. I would expect numbers, examples and analysis to counter McKee's claims instead of a comment about term papers. Clearly the NorthSide project depends on a number of economic events, a growing economy and some changes in the local economy, such as the establishment of St. Louis as a hub for Chinese cargo, the relocation of a major corporate headquarters, etc. For whatever reason, instead of addressing the needed criteria for NorthSide's success and then challenging the likelihood of these events, the professor chose to simply say that the project would need "a miracle". At least as reported, the testimony sounds lazy and inarticulate.

Let's hope that the court case returns to the question of whether the "blighting" of a portion of St. Louis City was legal.

Citizens for Modern Transit Begins Push for Transit Tax

2010-02-09T12:47:00.002-06:00

If you haven't seen it, watch the video below. This type of commonsense, proactive message was utterly absent the last time St. Louis County voters were asked to approved a transit tax to maintain and expand our Metro rail and bus service. I've been told that that "campaign" are purposefully low-key. It's wonderful to see those who support increased transit options in the St. Louis area speaking up and putting together a quality message.

Urban Workshop Moving to Wordpress, Other Changes On The Way

2010-02-02T10:59:00.003-06:00

The Urban Workshop may still be less than a year old, but it's already outgrown the limits of of the Blogger platform. So we're moving over Wordpress and combining efforts with others to reach more people in the St. Louis area and beyond who care about our built environment, civic life and other developments.

From the start, the Urban Workshop has hoped to reach a broad audience and offer a place for a wide variety of people to voice their opinions. This effort has been partially successful, but we hope that our new home will further spur contributions from others. So bear with us as the move is made. The best guess is that this will take at least a week.

Industrial Architecture in Central West End May See National Register of Historic Places Recognition

2010-01-29T16:45:00.011-06:00

{The S. Pfieffer Manufacturing Company Headquarters Building}

The industrial architectural legacy of the eastern-most Central West End appears one step closer to being preserved and repurposed. The S. Pfieffer Manufacturing Company Headquarters Building at 3965 Laclede Avenue is being recommended to join the National Register of Historic Places, an important step to future reuse. Specifically, the city's Planning and Urban Design Agency is recommending that the Preservation Board should direct staff to prepare a report for the state Historic Preservation Office endorsing the nomination.

The 3900 block of Laclede Avenue is all that stands between the joining of a still revitalizing Central West End and the campus of St. Louis University. The block provides very little historic context. A sprawling post office, vacant lots, etc. line the long street. The Six North development sits at the west end and several remarkable buildings occupy lots nearest Vandeventer Avenue.

There are two threats to buildings such as the Pfieffer headquarters. First, the nearing-completion Central West End form-based planning code may not provide any protection for buildings east of Sarah Avenue. While I'm very much in favor of a new development code, it was suggested at a planning meeting that buildings such as those near and on Vandeventer (see photos below) would not be protected. In part, this is because they supposedly lack "context".

Second, for those who appreciate the commercial storefronts on Vandeventer and other historic buildings in the area, industrial architecture sometimes doesn't fit their ideal of historic preservation. For many reasons, preserving remaining context, celebrating heritage, reusing buildings, maintaining and creating visual interest...the Pfieffer building, and others in the area are important to preserve.

The future of the block between SLU and the CWE is still uncertain, but it should be apparent that enough available land exists to build substantial new infill and preserve existing buildings and the in the end create a unique and vibrant neighborhood. With luck this could also set a precedent for the preservation of select industrial buildings in the Cortex area and elsewhere in the city.

{historic buildings on the 3900 block of Laclede Avenue}

{historic storefronts on Vandeventer Avenue}

The Grove Replaces Sewer Pots With Concrete Balls

2010-01-28T14:53:00.006-06:00

As much as I wanted to write a funny headline I just couldn't stomach it. You see, I'm not convinced that big concrete balls are any better than big sewer pots. The issue is the function and usability of our streets, continuity within our neighborhood and, of course, future development opportunities. Closed streets were a disincentive for me to move to the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood almost four years ago and they remain a negative for the neighborhood.

And that's not to mention the highway barriers that were installed this past year. I have been told that those barricades were added after several residents expressed concern for the safety of children who might otherwise run or bike between the sewer pots and into traffic. It's for the kids you know, and I'm guessing that until we care less about our children the second layer of barricades may just stay. That's sarcasm.

What I don't understand is why public city streets can be closed temporarily indefinitely without any mechanism to readdress their need. The closing of city streets should never be routine or normal. Residents of closed streets should have to reaffirm the need, not simply a desire or an indifference but a need to continue a temporary street closure.

The "before" shot:

St. Louis Beacon Tours Public Library, Glass Floors to be Gone, but $70M Renovation Coming

2010-01-13T06:16:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately the original 1912 glass floors and multi-story stacks will soon be gone, as will the pneumatic tube system (surely Bob Cassily can find a use for those - right?) but it's all part of a much-needed and ambitious renovation plan for the St. Louis Public Library. With any luck the process will avoid the cost overruns and other issues that plagued the recent Indianapolis Central Library Project. Of course I would have loved to see a plan of that magnitude for St. Louis.

The Grove Shines as Example of Development Success to Others: WUMCRC Presentation

2010-01-12T07:57:00.001-06:00

The Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation (WUMCRC) recently hosted officials from Davenport, IA and showcased The Grove and its development success. WUMCRC put together the slideshow posted below. While The Grove may be nearing the half way point of its redevelopment, the before and after photos, as well as the numbers behind the redevelopment effort should be appreciated. Of course the best part of the slidewshow is likely the quote from Rick Bonasch of stlrising.blogspot.com

WUMCRC the Grove Presentation

Jurors Set for Arch Grounds Design Competition: Submit You Ideas to the Urban Workshop

2010-01-11T11:14:00.008-06:00

Hey, I have no idea why the Urban Workshop wasn't chosen as a juror for the Arch grounds design competition either. We can be sure a vast urban design conspiracy is at play. So maybe we were a long shot, but I would have really liked to see a more open competition process, or possibly a more out-of-the-box parallel public design competition that would have facilitated more inclusion and allowed for creative expression by those with something to say but without a design firm and x credentials to back up their entry.

To that end, the Urban Workshop would be happy to post your ideas, images and thoughts. If you're so inclined, put together a Google map, scan a drawing, whatever you like and we'll put up a post for people to comment on. The more detail the better, but if you have a unique idea pass it along and let's see if we can get more of the public involved.

Oh yeah, read on to see those who were selected for the competition (it's an impressive list):

Robert Campbell, an architect and the architecture critic at The Boston Globe and contributing editor of The Architectural Record.

Gerald Early, a professor and director of Afro-American studies at Washington University.

Denis P. Galvin, a civil engineer and deputy director of the National Park Service from 1997 to 2002.

Alex Krieger, founding principal of Chan Krieger Sieniewicz, an architecture and design firm, and professor at the Harvard School of Design.

David C. Leland, an urban strategist and managing director of Leland Consulting Group in Portland, Ore.

Cara McCarty, curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.

Laurie D. Olin, partner and landscape architect of OLIN Studio in Philadelphia.

Carol Ross Barney, founder and principal of Ross Barney Architects in Chicago.

Walmart, TIF and More Muscial Chair Development May Devastate St. Ann

2010-01-06T13:27:00.005-06:00

{existing Walmart in red, proposed Walmart Supercenter in blue}

Why should a Walmart moving 1.5 miles down a road matter much more than to those who may have a slightly shorter, or slightly longer drive to pick up 64 rolls of toilet paper for $12.87? It shouldn't, but in the St. Louis world of everyone-gets-their-own-municipality whomever has the most to give away gets the Walmart (or car dealer, or Target, etc.).

The small municipality of St. Ann is struggling enough with the challenges presented by Northwest Plaza. The announced closing of the Macy's there is just the latest of a long series of closings. Now Walmart wants to move from one side of the St. Ann-Bridgeton border to the other - taking it's tax revenue with it. Currently 10% of sales tax revenue from the Walmart goes to St. Ann as the current store sits mostly in Bridgeton already.

According to St. Ann City Administrator Matt Conley, as reported in the Post-Dispatch, the Walmart is the second-largest source of sales tax revenue in St. Ann. I'm not sure what the largest source would be, Northwest Plaza? Car dealerships? Bridgeton appears ready to give $8M in the form of TIF to Walmart to lure them down the road. The money is a gift to keep Walmart in Bridgeton.

The problem is that Walmart would have a store somewhere in the vicinity of St. Ann and Bridgeton with or without a TIF. Maybe it would be across the border with Maryland Heights, and this is the fear, losing tax revenue. St. Louis County municipalities need not be one political unit to remedy this (though it would certainly help), the several communities of northwest St. Louis County simply need to say "no" to TIF. Walmart will not abandon any area with 50,000 customers or more.

The argument made by TIF proponents seems to often focus on a particular development site and it's simply stated that the particular lot will not be redeveloped with TIF. When businesses know that the next town will give millions then of course a particular site won't be developed without a like amount TIF. It's just one more reason that the TIF musical chairs in St. Louis County needs to stop.

McKee Receives $19.6M in State Tax Credits for NorthSide, Next Step: $400M TIF Request

2010-01-05T11:30:00.004-06:00

Paul McKee received possibly the best Christmas present of any of us: $19.6M from the State of Missouri in the form of tax credits that in effect pay him back for purchasing a significant portion of North St. Louis. Awarding tax credits was the next crucial step to move the $8.1B NorthSide project forward and will free up resources to allow McKee to continue work on the project.

As with most issues there are two (and more) ways to view this, both of which are factual. 1) Paul McKee just received almost $20M of our tax money to purchase land and buildings in North St. Louis for his own eventual profit - if there is any. 2) North St. Louis is one step closer to seeing transformative investment and redevelopment that otherwise would not happen without taxpayer assistance.

Either way, the conclusion is certainly that McKee has the political backing and in the absence, to this point, of successful opposition the NorthSide project is moving ahead. The next step will likely be a deal with the City of St. Louis regarding the $400M TIF request. It remains almost unimaginable that the City would guarantee any portion of this, but we're quickly getting to the point where money begets money and it's difficult to imagine that the State didn't speak with the City before giving McKee $20M. No one will want to see that money go to waste. For better or worse it appears NorthSide's on a roll.

MetroLink Citations Up Across the Board, But What Does That Say About the System?

2009-12-14T06:40:00.000-06:00

It's easy enough to understand the citation numbers reported by Metro, but I think the first sentence of the Post-Dispatch story is sloppy and confusing: "MetroLink security forces reported about a 50 percent spike in fare dodging and other rule violations during the past year, driven by the agency's security crackdown."

First, Metro did not report a "50 percent spike in fare dodging and other rule violations." They reported a 50 percent increase in citations for such violations. This is important as the P-D line would indicate that violations are up on MetroLink, that there are more fare dodgers, more people eating on the trains and more people riding without tickets. But the numbers do not tell us if there were more violations or just more citations. And the story doesn't address the issue of violations per rider.

The P-D states that the increase in violations are "driven by the agency's security crackdown." So maybe "violations" should simply be read as "citations" and I'm nitpicking a bit here. But as picked up on in the more sane comments to the story, there are a number of obvious follow-up questions: how may tickets are paid? This is especially relevant because the story mentions a ticket that was later dismissed.

To digress for a moment, there's a real story that could be written about MetroLink ticket enforcement. First, if you have ever had the experience of going to MetroLink Court, it's not one you will soon forget. It's excellent theater. Second, much time is wasted giving citations to be people who forgot to bring their monthly or yearly pass. Each of these people (and I've been one) gets a court date, takes a morning off of work, goes downtown, flashes a valid pass the judge and goes home. It's a huge waste of time. The last time I was pull over while driving (expired plates) I didn't have my driver's license with me and I was given a week to take my license to a police state to have them photocopy it. Why couldn't the same thing be done for Metro?

In the end, this likely isn't the story that Metro or Citizens for Modern Transit like to see in the Post-Dispatch. For many reasons stories about free-riders (and others committing violations) on public transit, even catching those free-riders, is cast in a negative light. Very few are the stories complaining about drivers failing to obey the law around St. Louis. This highlights Metro's big picture problem: the majority of St. Louis metro residents view cars, roads and parking as part of a normal city. They use them everyday and are familiar with them. Mass transit is still largely for "others," with all the negative connotations that go along with it.

{graphic from the Post-Dispatch}

MODOT Considers Hanging Bike Lane on Side of Jefferson City Bridge Across Missouri River

2009-12-13T17:24:00.001-06:00

{bike lane on Page Avenue bridge can be seen to the left)

So MODOT's considering adding a bike lane to the Jefferson City Bridge across the Missouri River. It's a good idea. The bike lane would connect the very popular Katy Trail, which runs from St. Louis to Kansas City, to Jefferson City. The Katy Trail has enjoyed good support from the Missouri State House and continue to garner interest.

The bike lane would be similar to what can been seen on Page Avenue across the Missouri River near St. Charles that connects Creve Coeur Lake and the surrounding area to the Katy Trail. And while there's no doubt that a bike lane over the Missouri at Jefferson City is a good addition, it begs the question of what could be done with $7M to accommodate more bicycles in our state's population centers. Dedicated bike lanes? More covered bike racks? What if $7M more of the $500M+ spent on the "New I-64" were spent to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians?

{rending of Jefferson City Bridge bike lane from mobikefed.org}

The bike path appears a bit narrow in this rendering. Let's hope that any path would be a bit more accommodating than this small image depicts.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Steps Up On-line Comment Moderation, Adds Ability to Report Abuse

2009-12-12T04:38:00.000-06:00

The Post-Dispatch has been aware of the problem with comments on stltoday.com for some. Kurt Greenbaum, Social Media Director for the Post-Dispatch, even wrote a piece titled, "6 reasons we're lazy about story comments." You may know Kurt as the person who informed a local school that someone had typed the word "pussy" in an stltoday.com comment, not once, but twice!

The Urban Workshop has called on the Post-Dispatch to increase comment moderation and implement a more robust comment interface. Perhaps the calls for changing the existing system and the added attention brought by "Pussygate" have led to changes. Looking at recent stories, the number of deleted comments has increased and each comment now has a "Report Abuse" button. Clicking on the button brings up the image below.

Although at this point there's no telling where the report of abuse actually goes, or what effect reports of abuse will have, but I hope the feature is well used. This may help curb the worst abuses, but falls well short of either a community-based system or a true registration system that authenticates accounts and ties them to social network profiles. It's good to see the Post-Dispatch doing something and significant changes can take time due to bureaucracy, technology or money (or all three).

I have not seen any mention of the changes on the stltoday.com website and several people I have contacted could not confirm what changes have been made or may be made in the near future. Some also though the "Report Abuse" button has been on the site for some time. The two images below illustrate the differences I see. Strangely, I can current get both comment section formats to show up on their site. Any suggestions as to why that may be?

{the old comments format}

{the new comments format}

Federal Funding of Urban Parks Could Help St. Louis

2009-12-11T05:33:00.001-06:00

{the High Line Park in New York}

For the first time in eight years federal funding may become available to build and rebuild urban parks. The Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act may just be the beginning as a number of other bills promoting urban sustainability are being considered by Livable Communities Task Force. In St. Louis the big target for such funds may be the long-sought Chouteau Greenway. And this would be a worthy project, but more modest funding could transform or complete urban parks in The Grove, the Central West End and elsewhere.

Of course funding urban parks is not an entirely new federal endeavor. St. Louis has the federally funded Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (the Arch), a national park in an urban setting. The Urban Park and Recreation Recovery program was established in 1978 and was the legislative source of funding for many years. This program has received $0 since 2002. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is another source of support, but one that has never been funded to authorized levels. The Act ties urban parks to the hot topics of the day: "revitalizing communities, improving public health, reducing crime and promoting economic development."

With 89 co-sponsors and bipartisan support, the latest effort appears to be headed for success. It may be time to dust off any master plans St. Louis has for its parks and ready applications. If funding were to be available to St. Louis, which parks should receive funding? Should more neighborhood "pocket parks" be created? If so, where? How else could funding be used to revitalize St. Louis?

On the 3rd Day the New I-64 Created Twice the Traffic

2009-12-10T05:30:00.001-06:00

{green = added lanes, yellow = eastern project area, red = no changes}

"We have twice as many people using I-64 now than we did three years ago," said MoDOT I-64 Project Director Lesley Hoffarth. "Obviously everyone is trying out the new highway."

The quote is from a MODOT press release. It could be as Hoffarth, Forest Park Forever's new President, states, that "everyone is trying out the new highway." Traffic west of I-170 and east of Kingshighway are 95% and 110% respectively at their peak. And west of I-270 and east of Kingshighway have seen stopped traffic.

We'll only know in the coming days and weeks if it's true that people are "trying out the new highway", and it's difficult to imagine that volumes will remain twice pre-project levels, but I am betting that traffic counts will remain well above 2007 levels. Why? Traffic follows capacity. But capacity (by adding traffic lanes) was only added from Spoede Road to I-170. The first few days have seen the greatest increase in congestion beyond the project area, both east and west.

The problem with the new I-64 may be that the western most portion of the project added lanes, adding traffic while the eastern portion, from I-170 to Kingshighway did not add lanes and I-64 from Kingshighway to the downtown St. Louis remains the same as before the project, as does I-64 from Highway K to I-270 in West St. Louis County. I can almost hear the cries to add traffic lanes to areas with increased congestion.

Adding traffic lanes to a portion of this project was a mistake. The need for a new roadbed is understandable and the new interchanges are a much needed improvement. And yet traffic congestion has likely been worsened. According to MODOT motorist have not quite adjusted to the new highway and the presence of two left turn lanes at interchanges. According to Scripture God created the oceans, the dry land and vegetation on the third day. It may be an equal feat for MODOT to have doubled traffic.

Arch Grounds Design Competition Gets Started: First Thoughts From the Urban Workshop

2009-12-09T05:13:00.000-06:00

Given the status (or non-status) of my design portfolio and the work history (or non-history) of the Urban Workshop elves I think it unlikely that we'll be selected for the "short list" of design teams selected to participate in phase II of the Arch grounds design competition process. But that doesn't mean we can't add to the public discussion.

The professional design teams will undoubtedly produce excellent work, but there's a lot of creativity out there that will be missed if more of us do not put ideas to paper. In fact, the Urban Workshop will post your ideas here if you send them in. Write up your own post or simply e-mail a jpeg or pdf to st.louis.urban.workshop@gmail.com and include a written description.

The 10 design goals of the competition program are stated as follows:
1. Create an iconic place for the international icon, the Gateway Arch.
2. Catalyze increased vitality in the St. Louis region.
3. Honor the character defining elements of the National Historic Landmark.
4. Weave connections and transitions from the City and the Arch grounds to the
River.
5. Embrace the Mississippi River and the east bank in Illinois as an integral part of
the National Park.
6. Reinvigorate the mission to tell the story of St. Louis as the gateway to national
expansion.
7. Create attractors to promote extended visitation to the Arch, the City and the River.
8. Mitigate the impact of transportation systems.
9. Develop a sustainable future.
10. Enhance the visitor experience and create a welcoming and accessible
environment.

"Catalyzing increased vitality" is a fairly meaningless development buzz phrase, but there are great intentions here. I hope to work more on some kind of proposal in the near future, but the following (in no particular order) outlines a number issues or ideas I plan to incorporate.

Light the Eads Bridge
Remove I-70
Place 4-lane Memorial Drive on west side of current I-70, add on-street parking
Introduce retail and commercial properties to east of new Memorial Drive
Continue Spruce Street to Memorial Drive with pedestrian access to Arch
Create shadow image of Arch on ground to the west to highlight height of Arch
Reduce 4th Street from 6 lanes to 4
Reduce Broadway from 5 lanes to 4
Convert Market and Chestnut to two-way streets
Place modern and past barges on waterfront as museum free to the public
Mark a 1-mile walking path on Arch grounds - approximately 1 lap

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial National Park Design Competition Manual

City Garden: "Transforming Downtown and Lifting the City's Sense of Itself and Its Future"?

2009-12-08T05:32:00.001-06:00

Metropolis executive editor Martin Pedersen and Robert Duffy, Associate editor of St. Louis Beacon and senior lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis have a dead-on story about City Garden in the November issue of Metropolis. The new park is not a silver bullet for downtown or St. Louis, but as the authors note, it is a place that directly contradicts many people's perception of our city.

The piece is certainly worth reading in its entirety (it's short), but here are some especially true and insightful comments on St. Louis as well as previously a unknown (to me) bit about the layout of City Garden:

The abrading of a city’s self-image is gradual. But once that dreary process begins, it gathers an energy of its own and becomes difficult to reverse. If a place is continually criticized—withered by condescension from without, and shame from within—a kind of civic inferiority inevitably results.

....

We’ve knocked down some irreplaceable pieces of our built past. White flight has been supersonic; a racial chasm persists. Our primacy in booze and shoes went down the drain and walked out of town. The plant sciences and biotechnology should replace these industries, but we’re suspicious of science as ungodly, in spite of its being the region’s best hope for economic redemption.

....

There’s often a perception around here that no one is doing anything smart. Forward-thinking residents, however, as well as visitors and immigrants who are unspoiled by familiarity, regularly remark on the quality of our architectural legacy and the vibrancy of our cultural life.

....

Early on, the designers found a 1916 Sanborn map showing old property and foundation lines. “We looked at those and said, ‘Let’s trace some of that history,’” Byrd says. “So the central walkways are literal traces of the old alleyways between the two blocks.”

I-64 Reopens: The Basics

2009-12-07T06:03:00.002-06:00

{the one day pedestrians and bikes are allowed on I-64 - photo by Katie Ihnen}

What's next now that I-64 has been rebuilt? Well, I hope that those of you who drive the corridor will take a close look, check out the new exits and access and comment on any pros and cons you see. We'll likely soon forget the whole project and life will go on - a little easier for some drivers, a little noisier for some Forest Park users (and the animals of course!).

Judging by the local news coverage and the incredible enthusiasm shown by MODOT's Pete Rahn, one would think that something extraordinary has happened for the St. Louis region. "It's a great thing for St. Louis!" "It's awesome!" "This is the best!" It seems that everyone's celebrating. When quality of life is judged by how fast one can drive and how much of the city one can miss while driving to the store or to work, it's easy to be impressed by a highway.

The basics (from the Post-Dispatch):

Work to continue through July, requiring lane closures at times
I-44 will return to 4 lanes in each direction, from 5
I-70 will return to 3 lanes in each direction, from 4
Watson Road exit from eastbound I-44 reopens
Upgraded traffic equipment on Manchester, Olive, Page and Lindbergh remains
Timing of some lights will be reduced from up to 140 seconds
Parking restrictions on Big Bend and elsewhere will be reevaluated

Searching for Context: Residential Urban Infill Proposed for South of Manchester in The Grove

2009-12-06T21:34:00.000-06:00

This site recently posted about a potential infill project south of Manchester Avenue in The Grove. I've received a variety of feedback on the renderings included in that post and most commented in some way that the proposed homes were "uninspiring," "disappointing" or simply "won't fit in." So the Urban Workshop went to take a look at the existing context.

Below is one rendering of potential infill along Vista and Norfolk and a number of photos of existing housing stock. I did not attempt to photograph lots proposed for infill, but rather existing housing that will presumably remain. While there may be some demolition sought, the RHCDA has stated that occupied homes will not be targeted, though it appears that two vacant corner buildings may be. Take a look at the pictures and tell us what you think.

{rendering of potential infill}

{possible demolition}

{possible demolition}

The following images are all existing buildings within the project area:

Food stamps at Farmer's Markets: Supporting the Local Economy and Helping Residents Eat Healthy

2009-12-05T14:04:00.000-06:00

If you haven't been keeping up and do not use food stamps then you may not know that the once colorful slips of paper have been replaced by electronic cards, similar to credit cards. In theory these cards could be used anywhere. Why not local neighborhood farmer's markets?

In New York City the use of food stamps at local markets has doubled in the past year. The NY Times reports that revenue from food stamps can be "70 percent to 80 percent of sales" at some markets in low-income neighborhoods, keeping money in the city and neighborhood by employing local farmers and vendors.

Like New York, St. Louis has several neighborhoods that lack adequate food markets. In New York, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene subsidizes purchases at farmer's markets, providing a two-dollar token for each five-dollar token purchased as a way to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables purchased. Some programs use tokens dispensed at the markets themselves while others are set up to accept the swipe of a food stamp card. This seems to be a great way to support our local economy while helping people eat healthily.

Lansing Hopes It Has the Cure for Sprawlitis

2009-12-04T14:03:00.001-06:00

No American city has missed the sprawl of development over the course of the past half century, though some urban centers seem to have been transformed more completely than others. I think mid-size American cities have suffered more than others. Look at Springfield, OH, Fort Wayne, IN or Lansing, MI.

As noted in "Curing Sprawlitis," Lansing once had streetcars, cyclists, pedestrians and cars sharing the roadways. Mixed use buildings had apartments above retail and neighborhoods each had their own markets and other amenities. The authors note that zoning laws eliminated "traditional neighborhoods" by separating uses. Combine that with cheap mortgages, balloon-frame housing and an explosion of highway construction and voila, sprawl. And when you're afflicted by sprawl you have sprawlitis.

The cure? Zoning and subsidies contributed greatly to our current condition and may be the only instruments strong enough to help us build our way out. According to the authors, Lansing is one place where changes in zoning could create change quickly. The city is engaged in creating its first serious revision to its master plan of 1958. Lansing has recently adopted a "complete streets" ordinance.

The article goes into some detail about the most afflicted parts of Lansing and quotes a "form-based code expert" who states that the top 10 factors that make a community walkable, in descending order, are: street trees, low traffic volumes, sidewalks, narrow streets, interconnected streets, onstreet parking, lower traffic speeds, mixed land-use, buildings fronted to the street, and small block size. Transportation design must be subordinate to urban design in walkable communities. For example, there may be a sidewalk connecting a resident from his house to the Kroger supermarket on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, but the rest of those nine factors are missing."

Few of us could have said it better. What can Lansing and other cities do? It's become a bit formulaic, but reducing lanes of traffic and replacing single-use code with a form-based code are the prescribed remedies. Lansing is pursuing the use of SmartCode developed by well-known New Urbanist Andres Duany. Without restating the standard criticisms of this approach it would seem that Lansing is heading in the right direction. It may very well be that mid-size cities are best positions to reinvent themselves.

Cowichan Bay is North America's First "Slow City"

2009-12-03T14:04:00.002-06:00

Cowichan Bay has become North America's first Cittaslow (Slow City). You may be asking what the heck a "Slow City" is. Well, I grew up in what I would consider a slow city, but this is a bit different. The basic criteria: pedestrian walkways, no big box or chain stores, and a population of less than 50 thousand.

So there can't be too many place that would even conceivably qualify for this. My hometown of approximately 6,000 is chain store heaven. Now I have no problem with an Ace Hardware or Subway, but Cittaslow does. Cittaslow was inspired by the slow food movement. Cittaslow's goals include improving the quality of life in towns while resisting "the fast-lane, homogenized world so often seen in other cities throughout the world." It's part of a larger movement to promote slow travel, slow money and slow living.

There are dozens of town in Italy certified as slow cities and many others across Europe. Now North American has one, a tiny fishing village in British Columbia. Any guesses on if/when an American city will be certified as a "Cittaslow"?

Get Involved and Make Your Voice Heard: A Too-Simple Recipe to Stop Interstate Highway Expansion

2009-12-02T14:00:00.001-06:00

{the Major Deegan in 1939}

The Major Deegan Expressway in New York shares a number of similarities with the Daniel Boone Expressway (I-64/Highway 40) here in St. Louis. Both are legacies of a bygone era and were built for slower traffic and at least not envisioned initially as Interstate highways. St. Louis now has itself a "New I-64" with added lanes from I-270 to I-170 and rebuilt overpasses and interchanges all the 12-mile project.

More than a few people would have liked to see the "New I-64" renvisioned as an urban boulevard or at least rebuilt without added capacity and with significant additional amenities for pedestrians, cyclists and possibly MetroLink. It didn't happen. But other places have succeeded in stopping Interstate projects. What's the key?

Planetizen recently titled a teaser to the story about the Major Deegan Expressway in this way: "Lessons from the Bronx: A community can halt a road expansion project if they get involved and make their voices heard. In this case, the NY DOT listened and thus chose not to widen exit ramps during a rehabilitation project on the Major Deegan."

Well, that sure sounds simple enough. Get involved! Make your voices heard! Done. I'm still relatively new to St. Louis, but can anyone understand how this process would work in St. Louis? And in terms of the "New I-64" and other projects, are there simply too few "urbanists" in St. Louis for there to be a unified community voice on issues such as this?

According to the Mott Haven Hearld there were several keys to successful opposition. First, the highway plan contradicted other city plans that sought to redevelop the Harlem River waterfront. Perhaps I-64 would be different today if it were a stated plan by the City of St. Louis to improve pedestrian connections to Forest Park and lessen the impact of the Interstate. Those opposed had something to stand on.

Second, "Every speaker at a public hearing at Hostos Community College on Nov. 9 denounced the state proposal." Although the State was for expanded capacity, the Department of City Planning actually had...plans. "Caro Samol, who heads the Department of City Planning’s Bronx office, said that the highway project would “cause a domino effect. It would severely hamper, if not outright preclude” healthy growth of the waterfront properties. She insisted that there were other alternatives that could both improve the highway and leave access to the waterfront open."

And lastly, the State DOT listened. " “We don’t want to be a bad neighbor in that area,” said Levine, the DOT’s director of public affairs. “What we heard from the community was that the widening would impede” waterfront development."

Incredible.

Increasing Active Travel Will Mean Taking from Motorists and Giving to Pedestrians and Cyclists

2009-12-01T13:58:00.004-06:00

Well, plenty of people know that walking and biking are healthier for individuals than driving. And most understand that either is also better for the environment. A paper published in The Lancet puts the two together in an attempt to understand the public health implications of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. To read the paper click here.

The conclusion isn't surprising, perhaps; both individual health gains can be made and CO2 emissions reduced by changing public policy. To achieve this, "urban trips" made by car need to be replaced by "active travel." And how would we achieve this? It's obvious, but really needs to repeated over and over and over again and then perhaps tacked to the door of every agency and office with the authority to shape our urban environment.

Creation of safe urban environments for mass active travel will mean prioritization of the needs of pedestrians and cyclists compared with those of motorists. Walking or cycling should be the most direct, convenient, and pleasant options for most urban trips. Policy makers should divert investment from roads for motorists towards provision of infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrians 1, Traffic 14,600: People Line Up for Pedestrian Celebration of Rebuilt Interstate

2009-11-30T12:59:00.000-06:00

{the Big Bend reopening - the sign reads "Our trips to the bridge were so much fun. We will miss them now that you are done."}

Yeah, I'm a cynic and yes, I know that I-64 is an Interstate highway and meant for cars and not people, but the one day "celebration" planned for the reopening of I-64 from I-170 to Kingshighway really irks me. And why is the reopening of an Interstate a civic celebration? Perhaps building BIG things still has a hold on our collective imaginations.

And there's nothing like a pedestrian-only event to celebrate an Interstate that severely limits pedestrian activity. It's one day walking the highway versus 14,600 days (or at least 40 years) of being restricted by it.

Anyway, everyone will have their chance to walk, ride or skate along roughly five miles of I-64 from Kingshighway to near I-170 this coming Sunday, December 6. There's something for the competitive racer as well as the casual observer. Check out the image below for more details. I may have missed it, but I'm hoping that there was a sign at the opening of the Cross-county MetroLink line that read, "We had fun watching you build MetroLink. Adding transportation options proves that you think."

The Stapleton Green Book: A How-To Guide for Building a 4,700 Acre Development

2009-11-29T06:40:00.002-06:00

The development timelines to this point are different. Stapleton: site control, public planning, public planning, adoption of the "Green Book" development plan, selection of developer, TIF. NorthSide: site control, development plan, TIF. There are realities involved with each project that may have dictating that the same course followed for Stapleton could not have been followed for NorthSide. Most significantly, site control wasn't an issue in Stapleton as the entire 4,700 development site had a single controlling entity, the city. For NorthSide there was the large hurdle of land acquisition and site control to address before a development plan and public planning could be considered - at least that appears to have been what Paul McKee concluded (he's likely right).

In another respect the projects have followed the same process. Stapleton: site control, development plan, TIF. NorthSide: site control, development plan, TIF. None of this means it's too late for NorthSide and the City of St. Louis to develop a "Green Book". In fact, the City and other stakeholders should be offering to assist in the creation of such a document. the Stapleton "Green Book" hasn't been followed to a "T", but a decade later it remains that development's guiding document. The site plan image at the bottom of this post shows Stapleton's adherence to a more suburban or "New Urbanism" plan than shorter, more urban blocks adjacent to the site (and obviously, the more urban existing landscape in North St. Louis).

If you haven't seen it, take a look at the Stapleton Green Book:

GreenBook 1of4 Sections IIV

GreenBook 2of4 Section Vpages138

GreenBook 3of4 Section Vpages3988

GreenBook 4of4 Sections VIIX

{site plan for Stapleton shows a disconnect with the established urban street grid nearby}

New Infill for The Grove South of Manchester? It's Being Planned, But All Depends on Funding

2009-11-28T06:03:00.001-06:00

It's just an image and a twinkle in someone's eye at RHCDA at the moment as a funding request awaits an answer, likely in early 2010. But if everything comes together Forest Park Southeast may see its first residential urban infill project. Approximately 40 units would be build south of Manchester Avenue on Vista and Norfolk west of Newstead with some units facing Newstead itself. All units would be "affordable" and have green features that would make them efficient. Owners would rent and eventually have a purchase option. Currently tax abatement is not being sought for the project.

The concept home that RHCDA is working with is none other than a home design developed for local green builder EcoUrban Homes. In August Nate Forst posted the images below on the EcoUrban blog stating, "We've also been working with the very talented architects over at Ebersoldt + Underwood to reimagine our 1-story homes. What they've come up with is, IMHO, awesome." The RHCDA plan calls for some townhomes as well a single-story residences.

The first image (Option-A) is the same as that presented by the RHCDA to the Forest Park Southeast Development Corporation. A bad cell phone camera shot of the sit plan is below as well.

A Quick Driving Tour of Stapleton Gives Some Insight Into 4,700 Acre Denver Development

2009-11-27T06:04:00.002-06:00

Stapleton may be the nearest development to what Paul McKee envisions for NorthSide. But that only goes so far as there is a stark difference: clean slate airport v. historic inner city with many residents. At first glance, Stapleton looks more like (and more closely resembles in terms of development) New Town at St. Charles. For what it's worth, the NorthSide project has several superior sites to anything in Stapleton for job creation and business location due to it's proximity to downtown St. Louis and access afforded by I-64 and the new Mississippi River Bridge. There are other crucial difference as well that we'll examine in the future.

But would a similar development in North St. Louis be welcome? It appears that Stapleton has been economically successful (judging by homes sold) and one of it's biggest problems is building schools for all the children living in the new neighborhood. For a quick tour of Stapleton, watch the video below. It comes from a local realtor in the Denver area and gives something of a feel for the development.

Lin, Van Valkenburgh BioMed21 Plaza a Step Closer to Reality With New Renderings

2009-11-26T05:31:00.000-06:00

{a rendering of the BioMed21 plaza}

Comments on the last post regarding the participation of two world-renowned architects in the design of the new BioMed21 plaza centered on the closure of an additional block of Euclid Avenue and a portion of Children's Place - an important issue for sure, and one that will be the focus of a future post. But new renderings of the plaza are out. So what do you think? Perhaps the relative success or failure of a particular architect's participation is in the details and execution, but that judgment will have to wait.

The plaza is big and will certainly provide a central focus to the medical campus. The renderings seem somewhat void of real opportunities for people to gather, sections of seating for lunch crowds or defined spaces. A place this large could seemingly accommodate both an oasis feel and functionality (of course perhaps the oasis is the function...).

{the plaza on 11/19/09}

St. Louis Police Mounted Patrol Unit to Return to Historic Location in Forest Park

2009-11-25T04:19:00.001-06:00

{St. Louis Mounted Patrol at Forest Park headquarters c.1902 - image courtesy of Missouri History Museum}

I imagine that most people didn't notice the couple paragraphs by the Post-Dispatch on-line that mentioned the St. Louis Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit. We'll they've moved out at their stable in the southeast corner of Forest Park due to lead contamination at the existing building. Where did they move? Well, were does anyone (or anything) in St. Louis City move? To Chesterfield of course. But seriously, the horses will be temporarily housed in a separate building in Forest park.

If you're on the pedestrian path between Hampton Avenue and the Jewel Box/athletic field area you might see the horses in a new fenced area. The accommodation by the Parks Department will save the Police Department more than $500,000 according to the Post-Dispatch. The savings will be used for new roof and lead abatement at the traditional stable. Why is this important? Mounted patrols were a very urban answer to crime and crowd control.

{another view of Mounted Patrol headquarters, now the site of the McDonnell Planetarium (St. Louis Science Center) in Forest Park}

Mounted police have a long history in St. Louis. The unit was created in 1867 by an act of the Missouri Legislature and began with 16 officers. They moved to Forest Park in 1893 and consisted of more than 50 horses. As automobiles were introduced horses were considered by some to be "too slow to combat modern crime" and in 1948 the Mounted Patrol was disbanded.

Mayor Cervantes brought the patrol back to St. Louis in 1971 and found a home in an airplane hanger just a few hundred feet from where their original Forest Park headquarters had been. The hanger has always appeared to me to be a simple barn likely erected not long ago to be used as a horse stable. In fact the hanger was built in 1919 and served to house airplanes for adjacent Aviation Field, now athletic fields.

Personally, I love seeing the mounted patrol in Forest Park. Besides being an effective patrol mechanism appropriate for a very large city park, the mounted patrol attracts people and connects officers to the public in a way that cruising the park in a patrol car does not. Mounted police are still used in many places for crowd control and urban policing. It's good to see that the police and parks are working together to keep an active mounted patrol.

{the mounted patrol stable today, originally built in 1919 as an airplane hanger}

Although the imposing headquarters in Forest Park has long been demolished, there are several remnants of the mounted patrol around St. Louis. Once is a building that served as a substation of the Forest Park headquarters at 2720 Clifton Avenue, very near where Clifton meets Southwest Avenue and crosses Magnolia.

{the St. Louis mounted patrol substation at 2720 Clifton Avenue}

What's Wrong With Calling St. Louis the Nation's Second Worst City for Crime? This:

2009-11-24T06:35:00.001-06:00

So the City of St. Louis is #2 of 393 cities ranked for "worst crime". At least they've dropped the "most dangerous city" tag that followed this ranking until this year. St. Louis was #4 last year and was #1, the "most dangerous city" in America in 2006. So what does the ranking not tell us? Why is the Mayor's claim of the report being "totally bogus" and "stupid" true and not true?

It's really an issue of public perception. The ranking of cities by looking at crime statistics is heavily skewed due to the wide variety of the nature of political boundaries (and not one of use observes these political boundaries in our daily lives). There are approximately 2.8 Million people in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Roughly 350,000 people live in the City of St. Louis.

St. Louis City is relatively a poor city. In a region of 2.8 Million residents there is going to be a substantial population living in poverty. In cities similar to St. Louis (rust belt, significant minority population, etc.) there is going to be the affects of white flight and urban blight. The crux of the issue here is that the overwhelming preponderance of this population segments and development challenges are within the small geographic area constituting the City of St. Louis.

Parallels exist in cities like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh and elsewhere, but because none of these cities have a single political boundary that holds the most troubled parts of the entire metropolitan region crimes statistics are diluted. This study and others like it do not provide a usable comparison of St. Louis to other cities. That is the problem.

I don't know that this makes the report "totally bogus," assuming that what is meant is that the study is simply untrue, but it certainly is "stupid." The metropolitan area ranking of #103 of 393 isn't informative either, but it at least comes closer to comparing like-populations. The problem of course, is that no one lives in a "metropolitan area" per se, but in a town, neighborhood and street.

And in fact one organization has attempted to rank crime by neighborhood. This methodology has many problems as well, but it attempts to zero in on where people live and work specifically. In that ranking St. Louis fared much better, the "most dangerous neighborhoods" (see: Neighborhood Crime Ranking: True, Factual, Standardized Statistics Can't Lie, Can They?) included four of the top 25 in Chicago, as well as neighborhoods in Little Rock and Orlando. Other studies can make St. Louis look more progressive than it is (see: Another Study Using the City Boundary, Another Missed Opportunity to Better Understand St. Louis), which fails to offer stakeholders an accurate perspective and therefore actionable information.

"Crime" and "safety" are not synonyms, but are parallel to many people. The dissection of relative safety can only be so fine-grained, but simply including traffic fatalities and injuries to help someone better understand their chances of being injured, dying and being the victim of crime shows that living in the City is the safer choice. The greatest danger you face when leaving your home? Traffic injuries and death. But most people aren't interested in safety, but lack of crime.

St. Charles Continues Struggle With New Urbanism: Noah's Ark Ambitions Cut Further

2009-11-23T06:48:00.000-06:00

{the Noah's Ark site prior to demolition - photo courtesy of Roadside Architecture}

There's something fitting about the old Noah's Ark site in St. Charles being converted to a New Urbanism community. After all, the Ark was built to provide everything needed for pairs of all the world's animals and enough people to repopulate the globe and any New Urbanism development seeking to bring a "live, work, play and pray" lifestyle to community is certainly some place I could stay for 40 days and 40 nights without needing to venture further afield.

Anyway, not all seems to be going according to plan for the old site adjacent to I-70 and the Missouri River. According to the Post-Dispatch, the developer is seeking to cut the number of residential units in the development from 540 to 296. Now 540 residential units does not a New Urbanism community make, but it's better than 296.

View St. Charles Development in a larger map

A $55M TIF subsidy has been granted for the site. Whittaker Homes (builder of New Town at St. Charles and currently in bankruptcy) was the original developer and envisioned a tower up to 18 stories tall. Cullinan Properties is the current developer and hopes to make further changes to the original plan.

The money quote from the Post-Dispatch story is this:

Last spring, some city officials expressed concern that the company was straying from new urbanism elements of high density, pedestrian access and vertical development. The company insists that the project still employs new urbanism concepts.

In addition to the issues with the Noah's Ark site, a $125M TIF appears to be on the table for the nearby Harbor San Carlos proposed development. Why can't St. Charles focus on just one faux New Urbanism development at a time. In all seriousness, it's great to have significant development plans, but it should surprise no one if there are three underpreforming, underdeveloped, disappointing "New Urbansim" developments in St. Charles County in the near future.

Real estate "experts" seem to believe that "New Urbanism" may be a silver lining to suburban development on the other side of the Great Recession. And maybe they are right, but that silver lining is already appearing quite tarnished. With any luck, one or more of the proposed projects in St. Charles County will fail so that one may have the opportunity to flourish.

Freakonomics Tackles Public Transit Fares: Progressive Fares More Equitable, Efficient

2009-11-22T06:42:00.000-06:00

In a recent New York Times Freakonomics blog post writer Eric Morris makes the case for progressive fares on public transit. Admitting it's likely an overgeneralization, Morris states, "there are two major constituencies for mass transit. First are wealthier workers who commute to jobs in city centers where parking is expensive. The other group consists of the very poor. Unlike the “choice riders,” who could drive if necessary, low-income “captive” riders often have no other option.

In St. Louis that first group is largely absent from public transit altogether. Part of the reason is that wealthier riders are more likely to ride commuter rail. Of course in many cities, such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, the suburbs not only contain immense wealth, driving to and parking in the central city is difficult and costly. And their suburbs are served by commuter rail.

This is pertinent to discussing any expansion of our MetroLink system. Who should a new line serve? Who uses MetroLink and who is likely to ride in the future. At what time and to where?

As Morris notes, wealthier transit riders are more likely to be stereotypical commuters, traveling during morning and evening rush hours. The less wealthy take shorter trips, use transit on a more irregular timetable, in part because they are more likely to work more than one job, work second or third shift and/or utilize transit for errands and other reasons.

What Morris concludes is that "In pretty much every respect, the trips of the wealthier impose heavier costs on the system than the trips of the poor." Buses are cheaper than trains, light rail is more efficient than "heavy" or commuter rail. In St. Louis I believe there is disproportionate demand for MetroLink to serve Cardinals baseball games, special events and event Highway 40 commuters. Why doesn't this make sense?

And even though vehicle occupancy is much higher during the peaks, on a per-rider basis it is still cheaper for transit agencies to provide service at off-peak times and in off-peak directions. This is because accommodating rush-hour traffic means purchasing extra vehicles and hiring extra staff which will be underused at midday, at night, and on the weekends. It also means problems with trips like reverse commutes; for example, commuter trains often travel outbound during the morning peak and inbound during the evening nearly empty.

Should this issue be addressed by transit agencies? And if so, how?

Flexible pricing. Of course, I believe the purpose of public transit to have as many people ride as possible, so I've advocated for a fare-free system, which is surprisingly affordable. As I see it, the problem isn't full trains at peak times, it's that fewer people who could ride are riding. Progressive fares are already in place in places like airports where a large percentage of riders are likely visitors and the distance traveled in likely greater.

Here's Morris' take:

Yet despite the very different burdens different types of trips impose on the system, most transit agencies prefer the simplicity of flat fares, regardless of time of day, day of week, mode, distance, or other forms of costs imposed (excepting, to a degree but not completely, commuter rail service).

This is why it was with considerable happiness that Professor Brian Taylor and I read this article announcing that the New York MTA is considering cutting fares during off-peak times.

....

This policy would be progressive in that it would benefit poorer riders who disproportionately travel at off-peak times. It would also be equitable in that it would reflect the lower costs those riders impose on the system. This would help equalize the subsidy each passenger receives.

And in addition to being more fair, this policy would be more economically efficient. By using price signals to increase demand at off-peak times, it would put underused staff and equipment to work.

Consider that transit vehicles can be packed during the peaks but are decidedly light on traffic much of the time; economists Clifford Winston and Chad Shirley calculated that as of the mid-1990’s rail vehicles ran only 20 percent full. Yet there is usually no flexible pricing mechanism to fill those seats. Compare this with the commercial airlines, which are continually (perhaps maddeningly) adjusting prices to be sure every seat is occupied, and which have succeeded 81 percent of the time this year.

Unfortunately, for the moment new MTA chairman J.H. Walder is ruling out fares that are higher for longer trips, but this would be the logical next step. As with time-sensitive fares, this would combine greater equity with improved economic efficiency. Distance-based fares sound confusing and logistically difficult, but they need not be: San Francisco and Washington (which also offers an off-peak discount) already charge fares based on distance without any major problems.

But for now, off-peak discounts are definitely a step in the right direction. In a world where economic efficiency and social equity are often at loggerheads, this policy promises to increase both. Let’s hope the new ideas will represent more than a (sorry) token effort.

Zombie Buildings the Next Threat to American Cities?

2009-11-21T06:56:00.000-06:00

First it was Zombie Highways and now Zombie Buildings?! That's the fear of many. Residential real estate fell off a cliff just more than a year ago and maybe, just maybe has found a bottom in many markets. But commercial real estate is a different story and the cliff may be looming in the near future. Increasingly vacant Big Box retail sites have been in the news here lately, but overall St. Louis is not likely to feel the burden of having overbuilt when times were good. To see what others cities are possibly facing check this out:

St. Louis Suffers From Pedestrian Disinvestment, New FTA Policy Statement May Bring Improvement

2009-11-20T12:04:00.007-06:00

The excellent NextStop blog brought this to my attention: St. Louis has been named one of the top 25 most dangerous cities in American...for pedestrians. It's not easy to judge the relative safety of pedestrians in others cities, but I've long felt that much too little is done in St. Louis to accommodate pedestrians and people die as a result. We may be an auto-centric region, but every single one of us is a pedestrian.

And the number above are not annual, they're for FY2005-FY2008. Four years, $1.78 per person in the State of Missouri. That's less than $0.45 each year. What could we do with a cool $1 per person per year? Many needed amenities are fairly simple and right in front of us. We have ignored simple solutions and connecting public transit to commercial districts and neighborhoods is particularly important.

There may be good news on this front. The Federal Transportation Administration is reconsidering the distance from public transportation that one can be considered to be likely to walk "safely and conveniently". To quote the FTA, "Relying on this guidance, in most circumstances FTA has considered pedestrian improvements within about 1,500 feet of a public transportation stop or station to be functionally related. Improvements beyond a 1,500 foot radius were considered functionally related to public transportation only if they satisfied a test of activity and use.

But the FTA is now leaning on a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine that showed Americans who use public transportation spend a median length of time of 19 minutes daily walking to and from public transit. In more dense areas the amount of time is 30 minutes. This has led the FTA to state that 1/2 mile is a "conservative estimate" to consider a "safe and convenient" distance to walk to public transit. And the distance considered for bicycles is proposed to extend to 3 miles.

What would the increase from 1,500 to 2,600 feet mean to a system like MetroLink in St. Louis? The map I put together very quickly below shows the impact on just a few stops near Forest Park. If I had continued west you would see that nearly every stop on the Blue Line is within 1 mile of another stop, making the entire distance between a "safe and convenient" walk per the new definition.

View 1500 and 2600 feet from MetroLink stations in a larger map
{orange outline = ~1,500 ft and blue outline = ~2,600 ft from MetroLink station}

Of course this only makes sense, but today use of federal funds for pedestrian improvements are limited to the 1,500 feet unless they pass other requirements. The simple codification of the reality that people do walk further than 1,500 feet to ride MetroLike is incredibly important and resets expectations for future development.

Dangerous By Design and FTA documents are below:

Dangerous by Design: St. Louis Pedestrian Safety

FTA-Proposed Policy Statement on the Eligibility of Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements Under Federal Trans...

When Big Box Attacks: Local Pet Groomer Served With "Non-compete" Suit at Grand Opening

2009-11-19T15:46:00.005-06:00

Sometimes it's just not enough for a Big Box retailer to dominate a market segment, to move into a TIF-created shopping center that leveled homes and other sometimes historic structure. For those times there's the big hammer of corporate lawyers. At the very least, Petsmart is guilty of bad judgment in serving a lawsuit at a small business grand opening. But more likely they're guilty of trying to crush any competition with imposing litigation costs.

A Walk in the Park pet grooming just opened in Tower Grove South and pet "stylist" Chris lee is accused of violating a non-compete clause from his time spent at Petsmart. Citing "trade-secrets" the Big Box pet store claims Chris is using what Petsmart taught him to run his business. Now, someone with more knowledge of the law should render an opinion on this, but I'm going to guess that Petsmart is simply being heavy-handed here. The open letter on the website can be read here.

A Walk in the Park isn't taking the lawsuit lying down. Mark Langevin has posted a long letter on the company's website detailing the issue and asking for help to put pressure on Petsmart to drop the suit. Well, I don't know what it's worth, but here's one blog posting calling for Petsmart to cease and desist their anti-competition effort. Shouldn't it be enough that they benefit from tax subsidies and demolition in our city?

From Chris' bio on A Walk in the Park's website:

Chris started his career in 1983 as a show groomer in Dallas, Texas. He now has over 26 years experience in all breed grooming. Chris was certified as a master stylist in 1986 and has continued to maintain the highest standards in his field. After being awarded numerous blue ribbons in the show ring and creative cut competitions, Chris opened his first salon in Dallas. He now offers the residents of Saint Louis, MO. an upscale spa and boutique for pampered pets, featuring the highest quality of pet styles, services, and products.

Full text of A Walk In The Park's letter:

Dear Clients, Friends & Neighbors,

As you know, we have just opened our new pet grooming salon, A Walk in the Park, at 3892 Wyoming at the corner of Gustine and Wyoming. This neighborhood seems a perfect fit for our salon. First, we live within the neighborhood and therefore appreciate the level of pride that exists and continues to grow here; opening a business at this location serves to deepen our involvement and commitment to our community. Additionally, this is an area rife with dogs and cats that are well served by the presence of a grooming salon. Many of you have expressed your enthusiasm at having pet grooming back in the neighborhood and for this we thank you. There are those who do not even own animals who have stopped in to welcome us and express their delight at seeing a new business, attractively presented, in their neighborhood where a vacant store front stood for nearly two years. We are grateful that the neighborhood has been so welcoming to us and supportive of our business venture, particularly in view of these economically trying times. However,…

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

A Walk in the Park is currently under attack. We hosted our Grand Opening Party on Sunday, November 8th from 2-6pm and posted that information on our website (awalkintheparkgrooming.com). At 2pm on that Sunday, in front of our guests, we were served by Petsmart’s attorneys. Petsmart, Inc. is suing us under a “non-compete” clause and threatens to shut our doors.

Chris Lee worked for Petsmart for 6 years beginning in October of 2003 and, in fact, signed a contract with Petsmart in order to obtain that employment. No counsel was given for explanation of the contract save the undeniable fact that a position would not be given without a signature. In good faith, Chris believed that since he had not worked at the Petsmart located at Kingshighway and Chippewa for over a year (he had been working in Illinois) that he had abided by any binding “non-compete” agreement that he had with Petsmart.

The suit brought by Petsmart claims that Chris was given Petsmart’s training and “trade-secrets” which he is now utilizing to unfairly compete with them. Our response is simple. Chris brought over 20 years of grooming experience to the table when he joined Petsmart. He had owned and operated his own salon in the Dallas, Texas area before moving to St. Louis in late 2002. Chris’ talents in grooming were utilized by Petsmart to teach its internal grooming “Academy” for the training of new Petsmart groomers and Chris was frequently praised for his superb execution of this training program above other trainers by two different District Managers. In short, Petsmart didn’t teach Chris anything about the grooming industry but, in fact, took advantage of what he was able to teach them.

Further, the suit claims that Chris had taken client lists which he is alleged to have solicited to the detriment of Petsmart. No such client list has ever been taken from Petsmart by anyone who works at A Walk In The Park. Undeniably, we are now serving clients who have been or are still customers of Petsmart. But, this has not come about through the theft and solicitation of mailing lists, client roles, or email lists. Of our clients with whom we have spoken on the subject and who have been or are still customers of Petsmart, we have identified four different groups.

· CONVENIENCE: First, many of our clients have simply come to us because we are conveniently located within this neighborhood. The only advertising we have done is to place a sandwich board on the corner in front of the salon. Additionally, we have taken an ongoing ad in the Tower Grove Heights Gazette the first of which has not even been published yet. We don’t even have a listing in the yellow pages. Obviously then, none of these people came to us out of some calculated direct solicitation of Petsmart’s clients.
· DEVOTION: There are a number of clients who have followed Chris because of his talents. This is the same as following a hair-dresser from one salon to another. If a person is happy, they will follow the service provider even if they have to hunt them down as some people have done with Chris. One customer followed him from South City all the way to Glen Carbon. Similarly, another customer has come all the way from Edwardsville now after locating him.
· SMALL-BUSINESS MINDED: Some people would rather spend their money in support of local small business instead of with large corporate behemoths.
· DISGUSTED: The final group of people who are now coming to Chris here at A Walk In The Park are people who have become disillusioned and fervently opposed to taking their beloved pets in to be groomed at Petsmart. I would like these people to tell their own story(ies).

Until this all happened, we were, like many of you, Petsmart’s retail customers buying our dog food there amongst other things. We have even been referring other people there for specific products. Obviously, we did not avail ourselves of their grooming services and equally as obvious, we won’t be spending our money there any longer or referring others.

Frequently, we all hear people in the media as well as politicians tell us that ‘the consumer is best served when there is real competition in the marketplace’. We believe that also. We believe that your pets are better served in this manner as well. If this suit is to be taken at face value, then it seems that Petsmart does not believe in this ideal. Is this just another case of corporate greed overriding concern for the well being of the community in which it is located?

Another thing we hear incessantly is how important small business is to the overall economy and how small business is the real driver of economic growth and job creation. Can it be that corporate bullies are reaching into this community and trying to restrict small business in order to protect what they believe to be “their markets”?

I am pleased to let you know that local attorney and incoming President of the Tower Grove Business Association, Jennifer A. Coke, located at 3187 Morgan Ford, has agreed to represent us in this matter. Jennifer is someone who has spent a great deal of time fighting Banks on foreclosure issues in order to keep our neighbors in their homes. We are very comforted that she is not afraid to go up against “the big boys” and brings a level of experience and confidence that is equal to the task.

I believe strongly that we can beat this lawsuit on its merits in a court of law. The law and legal precedence speak loudly when striking down such over-expansive language in non-compete clauses. In our case, as with others that have been won against Petsmart, Chris lives and requires employment in a city in which there are 13 Petsmart locations. This makes it virtually impossible for Chris to practice his trade (of 26 + years) anywhere within the city without crossing into one of Petsmarts “marketing areas”. Therefore by seeking enforcement of such broad terms, Petsmart is attempting to abridge Chris’ right to earn a living.

All of this having been said, let me finally get to the point of this letter. A protracted legal battle may have the very impact that Petsmart desires. Conceivably, the costs associated with this could drive us out of business. Although we are prepared to do what we must, we believe that there is another way to stop this whole thing. We must bring pressure to bear on Petsmart in order to convince them to withdraw this suit. In order to accomplish this, we must have community support.

We are asking you, our neighbors to speak up with your voices, your letters, your phone calls, your internet postings and blogs, and most of all with careful consideration about where you spend your dollars. I am including the names and numbers of Petsmart executives that we believe to be involved in this lawsuit, as well as the mailing address of Petsmart’s Corporate Offices. Also included is Petsmarts corporate “800” Customer Comment line. Please contact these individuals and make your thoughts and feelings known to them. Next, please spread the word. Talk to friends and pet owners. Mobilize your friends on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or your favorite local blog. Hopefully, with enough support, Petsmart may come to feel that it is shooting itself in the foot and that this proud community which has worked so hard to make our neighborhood what it is will not tolerate this kind of stuff.

Phil Benoist, Store Director, Petsmart, 4621 Chippewa St, St Louis, MO 63116
(Kingshighway & Chippewa) 314-776-7608
Bob Wurth, District Manager, (800) 738-1385, ext. 6688
Chuck Paul, Regional Director, (800) 738-1385, ext. 6790
Customer comment/complaint line: (800) 738-1385, Menu Option 2
Petsmart, Inc., Corporate Offices, 19601 No. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027

If anything in this letter has touched home for you; if you believe that this community deserves to have a grooming salon in its midst and that you as well as your pets are better served; if you believe that our small business deserves a chance to grow and thrive here in the community in which we live and are invested; if you believe that corporate bullies should not be allowed to squash competition in the name of shareholder profits or if you simply believe in the local benefits of having a clean, respectable, attractive and successful business on these streets instead of “FOR LEASE” signs adorning empty windows, then again we ask for your help.

In closing, I want to thank all of you. First, for enduring this very long letter. Second, for welcoming us the way you have. And finally, for the support I trust that you will extend to us now. On behalf of Chris, Megan, Melissa and myself, thank you, my friends and neighbors.

Mark Langevin
A Walk in the Park

SuperHD Video Highlights Gateway Cup, Tour of Missouri Cycling Races in St. Louis

2009-11-19T08:26:00.003-06:00

{click image above to view video - scroll right to cycling clip}

St. Louis hasn't enjoyed cycling like this since "two brothers challenged the road and life itself" and Davy was seen riding past the Arch. But now we have the world-class Tour of Missouri, the Gateway Cup and more. A professional videographer from Looks Video Production Company followed this past year's racing and has put together a four minute clip from more than 13 hours of footage. No one would have learned of the clip if the videographer hadn't contact Mike Weiss at Big Shark Bikes to tell him what he had put together.

Click the image above and enjoy. You can turn on/off the HD depending on your Internet connection. You may have to scroll to find the cycling video.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Goes Nuclear on Commenter for Posting "Pussy," Ignores Racist Hate Speech

2009-11-18T07:57:00.000-06:00

It started with a Post-Dispatch blog post titled "What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever eaten? And did you like it?" There was mention of octopus, Rocky Mountain oysters and the like. Readers were asked to comment. One anonymous commenter simply posted "pussy". It was deleted. The same commenter posted "pussy" again. The P-D's Kurt Greenbaum sprung into action. Looking at his Wordpress e-mail alert Mr. Greenbaum noticed that the IP address of the anonymous commenter was a local school.

From Mr. Greenbaum:

So I called the school. They were happy to have me forward the e-mail, though I wasn’t sure what they’d be able to do with the meager information it included.

About six hours later, I heard from the school’s headmaster. The school’s IT director took a shine to the challenge. Long story short: Using the time-frame of the comments, our website location and the IP addresses in the WordPress e-mail, he tracked it back to a specific computer. The headmaster confronted the employee, who resigned on the spot.

Comments on the comment story are now closed, after 151 comments. All 151 can be read below. These comments highlight why the Post-Dispatch should implement a robust verification process for on-line comments. This blog has highlighted the problem before. And I've helped to create stltomorrow.org to further highlight the problems with comments on the P-D's website stltoday.com. There's a Facebook fan page where a group of concerned individuals post the most hateful and outrageous comments allowed by the Post-Dispatch. A quick look will reveal comments more harmful, hurtful and dangerous than "pussy."

To the issue at hand: Several comments to the P-D blog post question whether Mr. Greenbaum violated the P-D's online privacy policy, which states:

We will not share individual user information with third parties unless the user has specifically approved the release of that information. In some cases, however, we may provide information to legal officials as described in “Compliance with Legal Process” below.”

However, Mr. Greenbaum noted that he did not provide the school with any personal information that they did not already have (the IP address) and that the school took it upon themselves to discover the person who posted the comment. This may be akin to loading and holding the gun for someone to pull the trigger.

Of note, this story brought out plenty of the conspiracy theory, anti-Obama, anti-union comments. If you have to ask why in the world this issue would be tied to such things, then you do not understand the comments section of STL Today where calls of "Nazi," "Facist," "Brownshirt," "ghetto," "thug" and more are claimed to be an American as apple pie (though only one baked by a non-union, white, natural-born citizen employee).

One sample (of many):

This kind of BS is just the beginning for the American people. Be prepared for more brown shirt tactics like this to be used to silence any opposition to the Czar-In-Chief. I guess speaking your mind is no longer considered a right in the USA now. Only if your ideology is within the same range of the SEIU, Obama and the Gore Green Movement.
Ridiculous!
— Gaucho
1:07 pm November 17th, 2009

There were also a couple notes of sympathy or understanding for Mr. Greenbaum's actions:

I don’t know, Kurt has repeatedly expressed his dislike of some of the odd/inappropriate posts on the Talk of the Day blog. The posted comment was vulgar and meant to be so. Kurt decided to investigate a little and decided to send it on when he discovered it was a school. I am sure he suspected the culprit was some kid. The guy got discovered because he was too stupid cover his tracks. If any of you manage employees, you can easily understand why he resigned/got fired.
I certainly empathize with Kurt on having to deal with this stupidity on a daily basis. I personally would not have sent it on, unless it was a repeat offender and wouldn’t have publicized it but its not my site.
This blog has asked several times about the future of the commenting feature on stltoday.com–I think the comments on this topic tell you exactly what you should do.
— mello01
2:30 pm November 17th, 2009

Full comments (now closed on STL Today):

Was his “nom-de-net” llbean?
— dr-debunk
3:11 pm November 16th, 2009

Wow. I wonder why he felt the need to use the vulgarity when another word would have conveyed pretty much the same message: chicken, coward, sissy etc. It sounds like the guy was unhappy in his job and pushed the envelope a little too much. His loss.
— itsazoo
3:15 pm November 16th, 2009

you guys don’t like moderating so you call his work and get him fired. Nice. Happy holidays.
— Ghetto Prez
3:21 pm November 16th, 2009

@Ghetto: Yeah, you caught me! I made him log on to his computer at work, visit STLtoday.com’s Talk of the Day, read the item, type a vulgarity and hit the “submit” key.
Interesting perspective. Thanks for your contribution.
Oh, I didn’t say he was fired. I said he resigned.
— Kurt Greenbaum
3:31 pm November 16th, 2009

Kurt,look like your Holiday (aka-Christmas) present is going be a big cheese ball-Bon Appetite!!
— Steve M.
3:32 pm November 16th, 2009

–At least you could tell us his “nom-de-net”.
— dr-debunk
3:33 pm November 16th, 2009

On the serious side Mr.Greenbaum,look like a pink slip may be in your future.It really look like you step out of bounds by doing this.Oh,Power Of The Press Man,please do not delete this post!
— Steve M.
3:37 pm November 16th, 2009

I’m with Ghetto Prez on this one….Why didn’t you just shoot him an email that said, “Hey, I notice your IP is from a XXXX-School District. Please refrain from using profanity on our website, lest we notify your employer.” Now we have to worry about the Post turning us in for posting something on their website? Instead, you used your leverage to basically force someone to resign.
Was the OP out of line? Absolutely. Did the Post just cross a line I am not comfortable with? As Sarah Palin would say, “You Betcha.” Are you actively trying to alienate the few readers you have left or what?
If you guys are THAT worried about it, use the software where you have to approve comments BEFORE they appear. I’ve seen enough racist comments on this website to certainly justify it.
— Karen
3:41 pm November 16th, 2009

What an abuse of power, Mr. Greenbaum!!! So is the Post Dispatch now a Gestapo Agent? What a sick and terrible thing you did to this employee in an economy where he probably doesn’t stand a chance in getting another job! I recommend that YOU get fired for abuse of power!!!!! See how YOU feel!!!
— thinkingaboutit
3:49 pm November 16th, 2009

Great journalism Kurt.
— 123456
3:50 pm November 16th, 2009

there is a waiver or shall we say a long long paragraph about what to post and what not to post and then we click that we agree to the terms and hit submit…lol….so after they deleted it the first time, you think it’s a good idea to post it again….wow!
— Diva314
3:55 pm November 16th, 2009

I agree with the above comments. First step should have been to just ban him and record his IP address for future reference. Do it a second time, then call his place of employment. I had my account banned - using my real name - for story posts, I never was told why, and never use vulgarity in my posts. I think it was criticism of the paper and its policies, personnel, etc. PD policies are subjective and all over the road map.
— daHood
3:55 pm November 16th, 2009

Are you proud of yourself? Is that the point of this story?
As a writer you are supressing someone else’s words?
Bad taste? Probably. But getting him fired? You sound like the typical picked-on geek kid. Squeal, and then boast about it. Get a life.
Are you going to call my work, or my mom?
Someone lost his job.
— qgirl
3:56 pm November 16th, 2009

Maybe Kurt went over the line…but does self-responsibility mean anything any more? How about self-control? Does the typee not have anything more meaningful to do with his time?
— Mr Responsible
4:01 pm November 16th, 2009

I told you Kurt was a “Thought Nazi”
Hi! Everyone, I’m Kurt and I’m a thought Nazi! I’ll smash down your bosses door and have you thrown out in to the street! Look at me in my smashing new shiny black Nazi jackboots!
— Told Ya!
4:02 pm November 16th, 2009

YOU are the director of social media? tools to be leveraged to get businesses closer to their customers?
what an awful story and it’s even more embarassing that you squawk about it after the fact.
the lesson is: be careful StlToday website visitors - never know when a bored employee will pursue some bizarre investigation that could cost you your job.
moderate your forum better. you totally do not understand social media, sir.
— bd
4:02 pm November 16th, 2009

I told you Kurt was a “Thought Nazi”
“Hi! Everyone, I’m Kurt and I’m a thought Nazi! I’ll smash down your bosses door and have you thrown out in to the street! Look at me in my smashing new shiny black Nazi jackboots!”
I hope this guy sues Kurt personally and the PD for BIG BUCKS!
Perhaps he suspected it and now he knows for sure who did it!
— Told Ya!
4:03 pm November 16th, 2009

Thanks for letting us know. All the more reason once the Globe Democrat comes online on December 8th to drop Stltoday.com ONCE AND FOR ALL!
— Told Ya!
4:07 pm November 16th, 2009

Just FYI - You can block IP addresses. Probably less work than tracking down an “anonymous” commenter’s place of work. Doesn’t make for a very juicy story tho..
— 123456
4:18 pm November 16th, 2009

Blocking IP addresses is a bad idea. You can accidentally block everyone from a particular place of business. I didn’t track down the guy. His place of work just showed up in the email alert because their servers were correctly configured.
Defend the guy who posted the vulgarity all you want. I’m not regulating someone’s thought. He can think whatever he wants. I’m moderating our boards. Follow our guidelines and this won’t be a problem for any of you.
Remember, I said it was a school, right? It could have been a student. I didn’t know who it was. I just thought the school might like to know about it. I sleep fine at night.
— Kurt Greenbaum
4:26 pm November 16th, 2009

You must be really proud of yourself . Way to go man! High five ! Big pat on the back to Kurt. Your last paragraph of the story is ridiculous. I guess you’re getting the attention you are so apparently lacking.
— shut the hell up
4:26 pm November 16th, 2009

I will add to my original comment and say this: Of all the comments that you guys choose to “narc on,” for lack of a better term, you chose one that was actually kind of funny considering the question he was responding to (this coming from a woman). Vulgar, yes, but nowhere near as offensive as some of the racist stuff I’ve seen of here.
Many newspapers use software where the comments have to be approved before they are posted. The Post obviously feels that the notoriety they enjoy from their “Wild West” posting style is worth more than that software. So either enforce your own rules or don’t, but by gosh, don’t go around playing “thought police” and then brag about it!
— Karen
4:27 pm November 16th, 2009

oops I complemented him on it, i mean it was pretty funny.
you didnt know the fool would get fired and he should not have posted that. It does suck for him though.
— mello01
4:34 pm November 16th, 2009

Heir Greenbaum:
The Furher and I were just discussing your actions. We are very proud of you. You are coming along nicely.
Joseph Goebbels
— Joseph Goebbells
4:39 pm November 16th, 2009

Wow, offensive words and Kurt will rat you at to your employer. Hmm, what’s next Kurt, political views you don’t agree with? Extreme stories that you might not like? Anything that wubs widdle kurtie the wrong way?!?!?
How many of the folks who post here who disagree withwhat you did are you going to rat out?
Very dubious actions from a supposed “institution” like the PD. Though it was crude, it was how this yahoo wanted to express himself.
Thumbs down to Kurt.
— Leonard
4:43 pm November 16th, 2009

Notifying someone’s employer over something not illegal/threatening is way out of line in my opinion. Particularly when, as a comment above noted, far more offensive and mean-spirited comments are routinely left up, presumably without notifying the commentors’ employers. To me this seems like a real abuse of your position.
— Paul
4:50 pm November 16th, 2009

I believe the grounds here will be “Constraint of Trade”. Greenbaum took it upon himself to “personally issue a challenge to the IT Administrator of this school to track this person down and extends the PD’s policies to the school itself”
No laws were broken, this posting although perhaps crude, crudeness is not a violation of the law, the language did not imply a threat or immediate danger to anyone or to the students. On the grounds of “Constraint of Trade” I am hereby judging GREENBAUM in the Court of Public Opinion as “GUILTY” of the charges and hereby recommending restitution to this individual and awarding them the sum of $14 Million dollars in damages. Court is dismissed.
— Constraint of Trade
4:55 pm November 16th, 2009

Too bad you don’t do this to the really offensive racist attacks I see on here abd other bigotry. Bad use of the word but it was a bit funny. Nothing to contact and employer. If this wasn’t a newspaper site I would understand more…but of any website that allows all kinds of awful postings- freedom of expression you would think be much allowed, even if it is a humorous vulgar remark.
— Jeff
4:58 pm November 16th, 2009

Since when is a small furry feline vulgar?
— jed
5:09 pm November 16th, 2009

Just out of curiosity, is this now an official PD policy, i.e. commentors making unacceptable comments will be tracked and their employers notified? Or is it just willy-nilly, “oh hey,I just happened to see this guy’s email, and it looks like he works for a school, I’ll report him”? Are there certain employers you will report to, but others you will not? Will these policies be posted somewhere? Is it accurate to say that racist comments are ok, but junior high humor is not?
— Paul
5:09 pm November 16th, 2009

I agree with many of the posters here. I think you went too far for a comment that was non-threatening and not all that vulgar. I’ve seen much worse, and much more hateful, on these boards. In this economy, it’s sad when anyone loses their job. You sound like you’re gloating. You should reconsider your thoughts on this.
— jp
5:11 pm November 16th, 2009

Just wait. Soon the “Comments are Closed” sign will be out here.
— daHood
5:18 pm November 16th, 2009

@JP: I’m not gloating and I’m sorry if it sounds like that; it reads like a pretty straightforward account to me.
Bringing up other bad comments is a red herring. It’s like trying to get out of a ticket by telling the cop other people speed.
— Kurt Greenbaum
5:23 pm November 16th, 2009

Kurt:
Your comment about how you sleep fine at night is a little scary. You just cost someone a job, and they most likely have a family to support. The least you could do is apologize to the man, but you won’t even acknowledge that you overeacted. Maybe you can do afollow up in a few weeks after he commits suicide
— hap
5:25 pm November 16th, 2009

Kurt,
You sound like you need to get out from behind your computer and have some fun. You also sound like you need to get the corn cob out of your behind as well.
— shut the hell up
5:26 pm November 16th, 2009

Kurt, maybe the guy WAS a moron and out of line for posting a vulgarity 2 times. The thing I find ironic is how you defend yourself by claiming you were simply ‘moderating’ the site. The only thing that is a bigger joke than this site in general is the claim that anyone moderates anything on it. I see comments every day that are offensive, racist, name calling, etc. As a matter of fact, on the joke of a forum board I notice that the only people banned are the ones that point out how the moderators don’t enforce their own rules. This paper/ site really should just do away from the comments in general (I know, you would be giving up too much revenue) since you guys keep making bigger fools out of yourself every time you try to moderate. The fact that you seem to be bragging about this makes you look like a child as well as a fool. Nanna Nanna Boo Boo!!!
— jaco
5:29 pm November 16th, 2009

Costing someone his job over a bad word? The perfect follow up to this story would be if Kurt Greenbaum got fired for being so spiteful
— Rob
5:29 pm November 16th, 2009

If I were the guy that had to resign, I’d be looking for Kurt the Brown Shirt.
— highcard
5:32 pm November 16th, 2009

Kurt,
I have to say that I agree with every other commenter on this story. That was a really low move. The Post-Dispatch opens up their message boards to all users and takes it upon themselves to self-police them. Retaliatory attacks against users is not something that any person should expect from using these boards, save for threats of bodily harm or death.
Furthermore, it seems like you are attempting to justify your actions by saying that this occured at a school. Is a school now some sort of hallowed ground where adults are forced to abandon all crude thought? It’s not like said individual was sharing his joke with students (all of whom likely use such terms regularly, depending on the grade). By the same token, is it a worse “crime” for a teacher to send a crude email to a welcoming coworker than it is for two accountants or two attorneys?
You have now set a very confusing precedent to the STLtoday.com community, and one that I hope will give people pause about whether it’s really worth posting here to begin with. What starts with a simple vulgar joke can be taken as far as you want to with your new “power.” What’s next? Reporting an anti-Catholic message that originates from a SLU domain name? I suggest you re-evaluate what you have done to this man and state a policy as to just how far you will or will not go in the future when these kinds of incidents arise.
— Andrew
5:34 pm November 16th, 2009

hap,
–I’m sure Captain Queeg and Ebeneezer Scrooge slept well at night also.
Doesn’t mean they weren’t deranged sociopaths…they just slept well.
–The court of public opinion is running like 35-2.
–Verdict…bailiff…whack his peepee!
— dr-debunk
5:36 pm November 16th, 2009

Here’s a link to the “jobs blog” “journalist” calling out a writer by name…Stalinism is the new agenda at the PD…
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/stl-jobwatch/uncategorized/2009/11/747/
— highcard
5:36 pm November 16th, 2009

The court of public opinion doesn’t understand the internet very well.
— rilke
5:45 pm November 16th, 2009

“Bringing up other bad comments is a red herring. It’s like trying to get out of a ticket by telling the cop other people speed.”
Assuming you see yourself as the “cop”, I’d say this is the equivalent of sitting by while cars drive by at 50 over, then pulling over a guy doing 5 over and putting him in jail. Then putting it on the evening news.
Set out the rules, then hold everyone to the same standard. If you want to start reporting people to their employers, go ahead. Just tell them. Then do it for every offensive comment. Good luck finding people who still want to comment.
— Paul
5:46 pm November 16th, 2009

Kurt:
Now that you’ve ratted out some poor guy to his boss an d cost him his job, I think it’s only fair that you rat out the stupid headmaster. What idiot would fire someone over a dumb mistake that had absolutly no repercussions for the school?
Oh, I know you say he resigned, that’s only to save face and not have to say he was fired, and for what. Rommel resigned to, right before they were going to shoot him
— Robert
5:49 pm November 16th, 2009

Mr. Greenbaum, I applaud you and your ethics. As a teacher, I know that there are more important things to do during the workday than log online. Why was this person not doing his job and educating his students? With ethics like his, I wouldn’t want him within 500 yards of my school or children. He had the time to not once, but twice be an idiot and misuse his time and his employer was right to confront him with his abuse of their equipment. It makes me wonder how much time he was surfing the net and where when he had more important things to do. This is why the budgets for our schools are out of whack and our students do not get the equipment they need - misuse of payroll funds to employ idiots like that.
— Mialsya
5:49 pm November 16th, 2009

I knew you lefties at the PD were cold hearted with a cruel meanstreak, but boasting about abusing your power to get a person fired in this economy is a new low. Wow! Maybe you can track him down again and do a piece on him and his family for the 100 neediest people column this holiday season. Please Herr Kurt, don’t track me down and try to ruin my life for posting this.
— Fun Gus
5:51 pm November 16th, 2009

Kurt:
Iknow, you were only following policy. Damn, I kow I’ve heard that excuse somewhere before…..
— Bob
5:57 pm November 16th, 2009

Mialsya:
You’re even scarier than Kurt! How do you know it was a teacher?
How do you know it was a man, women eat funny things too? Please tell me where you teach so that I can save the children from you. I’m going to report you to the Headmaster!
— Gerry
6:03 pm November 16th, 2009

When you screw up, be man enough to admit it. You overreacted. Then you say it might have been a student. So what if it was?
Since this all started about funny things to eat, maybe Kurt should eat a little crow.
— Gerry
6:13 pm November 16th, 2009

Dr. De-bunk has made an excellent point Kurt. YOU at the PD have chuckled as you use (and print) the word “tea-baggers” to describe conservative activists voicing their opinions. You and all your sophomoric liberal chums at the PD know exactly what that word means yet you still print it. Why don’t you explain to some of your older readers (that maybe aren’t as hip as the majority of your dwindling readers) in graphic detail exactly what a tea-bagger is. Maybe you can have a self righteous public school teacher explain to her young class why the award winning PD uses such vulgarities. I guarantee that all of her students would know the exact meaning of this word. Sleep well tonight Kurt…
— Fun Gus
6:21 pm November 16th, 2009

Kurt, can you explain why some vulgarities are removed and others are not? How is it that you and other editors/moderators permit the vulgar expression “Teabagging” to be posted endlessly? If you dont want to post the answer would you send it to me at nomoonbats-svppb@yahoo.com?
— Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
6:24 pm November 16th, 2009

EDITOR’S NOTE: Blogs are routinely rotated in and out of the columns/blogs section of the home page all day, every day. Anyone who is a regular visitor to STLtoday.com is aware of this. And no, this is not Kurt explaining this.

Why did this story move to the blog section instead of the front page like it was earlier ? On second thought Kurt, if you’re so proud of what you’ve done put it in the headline. Apparently these comment boards can be moved at will of the PD. Could it be there are only three commenters that agree with you ?
— shut the hell up
6:36 pm November 16th, 2009

When the light bulb in my head came on as to what the word was, I laughed. Then I read the rest of the story and was taken aback.
And yes Kurt, it does sound as though you were bragging.
— jmas
6:43 pm November 16th, 2009

–Oh that’s too rich, even for you mutts.
–”Tea-baggers” is just hunky-dory, but a euphemism meant as a metaphorical device,(”circle-jerk”) is moderated…
–Revealing of your utter hypocrisy.
— dr-debunk
6:49 pm November 16th, 2009

Come on Kurt…where’s the Mea Culpa? Just cause you COULD do it, doesn’t mean you SHOULD have. Maybe this poor slob was on a break and sitting at his desk trying to inject a little humor into another mundane blog.
In this court of Public Opinion, based on your OWN facts, you’ve been tried and found guilty. What’s the sentence?
Time to man up.
— Leonard
7:14 pm November 16th, 2009

Kurt was taking the High Road and doing it for the “little children”. What a lame excuse.
Despite the Nazis being ruthless at least they had backbone and weren’t vindictive little sneaks.
Look out! Greenbaum is ruling with an Iron Fist! Let’s all go in to a collective tremble.
The only thing this action proves is that more readers need to get out and experience the richness and fullness of the real internet and the vast array of Alternative news sites.
BTW - The Globe Democrat comes online December 8th http://www.globe-democrat.com It’s certain to be the death of Stltoday.com
— Told Ya!
7:28 pm November 16th, 2009

I am just too bewildered to even know exactly what to say. I do believe that contacting this man’s employment went way over board and that an email should have been sent to the man with a warning that you would have banned him if not for the fact that it would possibly block others at the school also. I believe that that would have solved in future problems.
But based on the question, it appears that this man may have only been responding honestly even though stupidly. We have all had our stupid moments and I certainly hate seeing this man or anyone suffer such extreme consequences as losing their job over something as minor as being vulgar without warning. I understand how this must have struck a lightening bolt through Kurt’s soul at such disrespect of a person using such vulgarity on a public website that were coming from a school but contacting the school with emailing this man with a warning I believe stepped over the line. This is really an awful situation. Well Kurt we all now see that you are human capable of making grave mistakes because this was certainly one, it just leaves a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
There must be some sort of bug going around at the Post because that Doug Wong fellow over there writing on “A Conversation About Race” is behaving extremely shady and questionable in my opinion, and is the last person who should be writing anything about Black race issues African or otherwise as shown by such an ignorant question posed in his blog title, “Little girls don’t care what race a Disney princess is, so why do adults?”
Gee, maybe the answer to that could be because of the reality that there Black African royal families. Duh?
But in all sincerity concerning this story about the school employee, I hope that your actions do not come back and bite you because in all honesty I certainly understand how the nerves of this person got under your skin to cause your reaction after he posted it again. It could have been that he thought it had not posted the first time because that has happened to me on many occassions.
— D. Walker
7:58 pm November 16th, 2009

–Nice speech coming from someone who has used “tea-bagger” in anger and despair talking about those you disagree with.
–This guy was making a JOKE. It may have been unfunny to you, but it was still a joke, and a damn funny one in my opinion.
–You, other liberals, and “elite” media members and even Bill Clinton have used and continue to SERIOUSLY use the much more vulgar word. One which could be called “hate-speech”, since it is used in a derogatory manner trying to demean conservatives. You, they and them have no place to comment or complain here.
–It always amazes me the extent to which liberals twist meaning and thought to try and rationalize their hypocrisy.
–Just know you aren’t fooling anyone.
— dr-debunk
8:31 pm November 16th, 2009

Mr. Greenbaum,
As a journalist, you should know that anonymity is often crucial to protecting our freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Please take a look at this website, and take note of the U.S. Supreme Court’s words on this matter: “Protections for anonymous speech are vital to democratic discourse.”
http://www.eff.org/issues/anonymity
That is why some journalists are willing to go to PRISON to protect the identity of an anonymous source.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reporters‘_privilege
You chose to solicit comments on your blog. The comments feature is presented with the appearance of anonymity. The fact that the information you received from this man was unappreciated is irrelevant.
It is absolutely chilling that a so-called journalist would go out of his way to reveal the identity of someone who sent information to a newspaper.
The simple fact of the matter is that you intentionally revealed the identity of someone who sent information to your newspaper under a false impression of anonymity. Your behavior is shockingly unprofessional, and downright un-American.
— TorUser
8:33 pm November 16th, 2009

Oh, wouldn’t it be great if one of the local news stations got a hold of this and did some investigating?
Maybe someone should forward it to O’Reilly so he can do a pinheads/patriots thing on this one. Bill is not a real fan of the PD is he?
“Anonymous blog for a liberal leaning newspaper? Not so anonymous is it. Watch what you post or the PC crowd will get you fired!”
— Turner
8:37 pm November 16th, 2009

Anyone who would like to be able to submit comments anonymously to this newspaper or any other website should take a look athttp://www.torproject.org.
When used properly, it provides the ability to hide your identifying information from the websites that you visit.
(But remember that everything you do on your computer at work is easily visible to your employer).
— TorUser
8:41 pm November 16th, 2009

Turner, this is St. Louis. The TV stations are owned and/or run by the same type of monopolistic, liberal, like-minded kool aid drinkers as the PD. They would not turn on their own.
— Fun Gus
8:49 pm November 16th, 2009

I really half-expected an apology from Kurt by now. He fails to see how his actions toward one unfortunate soul, affects every reader and commenter on the PD. He has biten the hand that feeds him. He works in a field where journalists are literally, “a dime a dozen”. He must be confident that whatever source opened the doors for him at the PD, will defend him in his blind stubborness.
— thinkingaboutit
9:07 pm November 16th, 2009

Ode to us “Common Folk”
Someday our ship will come in and we’ll rid of the Greenbaum/Bush/Obama scum and we’ll be free again.
Sing and clap along for us common folk!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYNAF-QcPrE
— Midnight Special
9:12 pm November 16th, 2009

Here’s a good Youtube from Cool Hand Luke. Notice how Greenbaum is acting like the Captain. “He only did it for the man’s own good and he doesn’t like the outcome any more than we do.”
We’re ALL Luke and Greenbaum has become one of the screws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fuDDqU6n4o&feature=related
— Failure To Communicate
9:38 pm November 16th, 2009

From you, Kurt, this is no surprise. May you reap what you sow, little man.
— Ino Ewe
5:38 am November 17th, 2009

Another great story at the Stink, full of worthwhile debate.
Couldn’t the whole thing have been avoided by posting a simple pm or a ’story’ to go with all the other ‘news’ about how the post board is full of emotionally illiterate nobs who should be ignored but if any concerns will try to sort it out.
— Fairy Feet
6:18 am November 17th, 2009

Kurt:
Thanks for doing what you did.
You just proved why people have not trusted the media.
You love protecting someone’s identity when it serves your purpose.
And when it doesn’t, the hell with ‘em.
You know Kurt, if you did this in another field, you’d probably be fired by now.
Funny how journalism and newspapers work. Interesting how they continue to go downhill.
— daHood
6:58 am November 17th, 2009

Hey Kurt,
Judge Crater is still missing. Maybe you can sniff him out.
— daHood
7:07 am November 17th, 2009

Again, the St. Louis Today comments are being used against people, rather than as a communication means.
How do you feel about costing a person a job? Do you feel righteous Kurt? Is this your idea of social media: harm people who come to your site, and make comments?
You couldn’t have blocked the IP? You couldn’t have revoked the person’s account? You couldn’t have just deleted the comment one more time?
You have no interest in embarrassing a person, but you’re obviously delighted in causing them to lose their job.
Really well done. Bravo.
— Shelley
7:37 am November 17th, 2009

I also agree with earlier posters: what kind of chilling effect will this have on the site?
See, you’re not really posting anonymously here — you’re just giving that impression. Your identity really isn’t safeguarded.
As for the person writing the comment twice, did you all happen to think for once that the person who deleted the comment did it so quickly that the person thought the first one hadn’t gone through? That rather than pushing you all deliberately, he posted twice?
Have you ever even thought about putting filters on your comments to trap those with so-called offensive words? The technology is there.
I’m just so astonished that a person who calls himself a social media director would be so proud of so foolish an action. Could be so utterly and completely clueless as to not even understand why people are offended and astonished at the action?
It’s the same as the last time people comments at St. Louis Today were used to harm someone (http://burningbird.net/node/62). I really hope that folks just stop commenting at this location. What you write here will be used against you.
— Shelley
8:11 am November 17th, 2009

–There is a trend here with liberals and “progressives” if you haven’t picked up on it.
–With the story at ‘Political Fix’ about the baker calling radical Islamists “ragheads”, to Horrigan’s piece a few months back decrying conservative bloggers in KKK uniforms, while decrying the “freedoms” of the internet, to this.
–Some groundwork is being laid down here for building more leftist control.
–Would that be “net neutrality’? Whatever that is supposed to mean, I can imagine what it will be. The internet will be shut down to those who don’t “conform”.
–WAKE UP AMERICA…FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS?…IT TOLLS FOR THEE–
— dr-debunk
10:51 am November 17th, 2009

For those who are trying to make this into some form of liberal/conservative fight, I’m about as liberal as can be, and I imagine others are in this thread. And I’m appalled at this break in faith between the St. Louis P-D and its commenters.
This has _nothing_ to do with being liberal or not.
In addition, there’s a big difference between a person using an inappropriate, but not out of contet term, in a thread about eating, and using racist terms based on religion. If you all can’t tell the difference, perhaps you need to watch something other than Fox. And read something other than the P-D evidently.
— Shelley
10:57 am November 17th, 2009

So the Post puts itself in the position of King Rat. And gloats about it “frankly”. Way to further alienate St. Louis! Please note: YOUR IDENTITY IS NOT SAFE ON THIS BOARD!
— Mark
11:04 am November 17th, 2009

Kurt - You truly are a “undesirable person.” (edited) Perhaps you should look in your “Unnamed Religious Book of Prayers” (edited) for some assistance in helping your desire for vengeance against people who don’t meet your christian values…
— Diceman
11:37 am November 17th, 2009

Kurt, what some of your moderators consider vulgar is quite out of date. I’d be curious as to the word, but I don’t want you to have to fire yourself.
— TheOtherGeorgeW
12:04 pm November 17th, 2009

I hope the Post Dispatch will step up and stop letting people post vulgar racial comments on blog. Please work on that while you are at it.
— Just asking
12:06 pm November 17th, 2009

I am against suing people but I hope that the person you got fired sues the post disgrace for loss of income and emotional distress. You had absolutely no reason to tell the persons boss that they posted a naughty word on the website. For all you know the person was on their lunch break.
I love how the post doesn’t delete some peoples insults in the forums while banning other for using the same words. Shows how uneven moderating is at the post. Now you go and get someone fired. Whats next sending thugs to someones home to smash their computer and knee caps who say things contrary to the post’s ideals? You are a small man in more ways than one.
— Tiredoldman
12:08 pm November 17th, 2009

From the Post-Dispatch Privacy policy:
“We will not share individual user information with third parties unless the user has specifically approved the release of that information. In some cases, however, we may provide information to legal officials as described in “Compliance with Legal Process” below. ”
Kurt, unless you were talking to a legal official at that school, how do you justify your action in light of the posted Privacy Policy on this site?
— Altongal
12:31 pm November 17th, 2009

Good point, Altongal, and one that a good lawyer will pounce on.
— libvet
12:34 pm November 17th, 2009
H
ooray. A man looses his job durring a recession. I wonder if he will lose his car or house?
I’m sure it was worth it. I mean who ever heard such language. I’m grateful you stuck up for little guy here. Imagine if some kid read your blog (that I’d never even heard of even through u visit the site daily). I know it was stupid of that guy and he did post it twice, but how about just banning the handle?
I suppose you couldn’t ban the ip or else the school would be blocked, but this seems petty and vengeful.
— Jealousblues
12:53 pm November 17th, 2009

Maybe so, libvet, but for now I’d just like an answer. Because I think the behavior is unethical, and I think Kurt’s behavior calls into question the integrity of the private information of thousands of users, myself among them.
— Altongal
12:58 pm November 17th, 2009

This kind of BS is just the beginning for the American people. Be prepared for more brown shirt tactics like this to be used to silence any opposition to the Czar-In-Chief. I guess speaking your mind is no longer considered a right in the USA now. Only if your ideology is within the same range of the SEIU, Obama and the Gore Green Movement.
Ridiculous!
— Gaucho
1:07 pm November 17th, 2009

@Altongal: I didn’t give out any private information. I didn’t have any to give and I wouldn’t have if I did. As you pointed out, that would be a violation of our policy.
— Kurt Greenbaum
1:07 pm November 17th, 2009

Still no Mea Culpa, eh Kurt.
You’re a class act.
— Leonard
1:15 pm November 17th, 2009

Kurt, you say you did not give out private information. In your article, you stated that you let the school know what IP address the comment came from. Even though it wasn’t a name, it was still private information, because an individual or an individual’s location CAN be identified through an IP address.
Don’t be surprised if a lawyer is looking at the comments here, and possibly will subpeona this as evidence against you. If a jury was looking at this and saw all the anger in the comments, do you think they would see you in a favorable light?
— thinkingaboutit
1:24 pm November 17th, 2009

Kurt, you used an IP address to identify a user. An IP address is covered under your privacy policy, and all uses of it are defined in your privacy policy.
“Our web servers automatically collect limited information about your computer’s connection to the Internet, including your IP address (but not the e-mail address), when you visit our sites. Your IP address does not contain personally identifiable information, nor does it identify you personally. We use this information to deliver our web pages to you upon request, to tailor our sites to the interests of our users, and to measure traffic within our sites.”
And further down:
“Our site:
* Includes our contact information.
* Explains the types of personal information we collect, and how we use it.
* Explains our practices in terms of sharing personal information with third parties.”
Your privacy specifically defines IP addresses as information gathered about users. The policy also mistakenly states that “Your IP address does not contain personally identifiable information.” That is clearly and demonstrably not always the case, as in this specific instance the IP was tied to the individual user and not used for aggregate statistics. It was used specifically to personally identify the individual in question.
I’ve got no problems with you personally, Kurt, and you’ve always come across as decent guy to me. But I think you messed up on this one, and I think that’s wrong to put literally thousands of people in the position of having to wonder what other parts of the privacy policy will be bypassed after the fact.
— Altongal
1:32 pm November 17th, 2009

I don’t know, Kurt has repeatedly expressed his dislike of some of the odd/inappropriate posts on the Talk of the Day blog. The posted comment was vulgar and meant to be so. Kurt decided to investigate a little and decided to send it on when he discovered it was a school. I am sure he suspected the culprit was some kid. The guy got discovered because he was too stupid cover his tracks. If any of you manage employees, you can easily understand why he resigned/got fired.
I certainly empathize with Kurt on having to deal with this stupidity on a daily basis. I personally would not have sent it on, unless it was a repeat offender and wouldn’t have publicized it but its not my site.
This blog has asked several times about the future of the commenting feature on stltoday.com–I think the comments on this topic tell you exactly what you should do.
— mello01
2:30 pm November 17th, 2009

Funny that Mr. Greenbaum was offended by that word, but the PD allows this idiot on Political Fix say the word “teabagger.” That is a very vulgar and offensive comment to me, but since it is a word that is liked by the far left (in attacking conservatives), in particular CNN and MSNBC commentators, it is allowed to stand on the PD. Kurt, at least be consistent, okay?
Sick and vicious, you are not a conservative but a far right wing fascist racist corporatist homophobic Brown Shirt weblog echochambering yobbo yapper!
Conservatives believe in civil liberties, a clean environment, small government and low taxes. Ain’t none of those amongst y’all tea baggers!
— Tim Hogan
8:38 pm November 16th, 2009

— A CENTRIST
2:40 pm November 17th, 2009

Mello01,
The guy got discovered because he trusted the Post Dispatch to protect his privacy. Did you cover your tracks?
— jmas
2:42 pm November 17th, 2009

Yeah and as we talk about inappropriatness just think of the many 100’s of 1000’s of times on this site you’ve had to read through viltriolic insults of Whites, Catholics, Christians, Conservatives……. with zero moderation of those comments.
I know plenty of people that have already labeled this as Nazism and it seems completely appropriate for the action that was taken. It’s easy to imagine Greenbaum in a black Schutzstaffel Uniform (SS) smashing down doors and hauling innocent people out in to the street.
— yeah no kidding
3:22 pm November 17th, 2009

Kurt,
As a journalist, I’m shocked at your apparent self-satistaction in unmasking a commenter’s identity. That the commenter lost his livelihood because of your actions only makes it worse.
Not only do your actions seem to be a direct violation of your Privacy Policy - your contract with the users of your site - but exposing the identity of an anonymous source is something that should never be done lightly.
Do you honestly believe that your actions comply with your policy of only releasing personal information to “protect the personal safety or property of our users of the public?”
I fully agree with TorUser: “It is absolutely chilling that a so-called journalist would go out of his way to reveal the identity of someone who sent information to a newspaper.
“The simple fact of the matter is that you intentionally revealed the identity of someone who sent information to your newspaper under a false impression of anonymity. Your behavior is shockingly unprofessional, and downright un-American.”
That you can’t be bothered to be transparent and fully report the name of the school, the names of the headmaster and IT director, or obtain a comment from the man whose job you played a part in erasing, is a display of - your words - “meager information.”
In my moderation of comments, both in the past and I hope in the future, I zealously guard the ID of those who take the time to participate - even those whose opinions and verbiage I find abhorrent.
Must’ve been a pretty slow news day to go through the trouble of putting someone on the unemployment line for a one-word comment. Do you have the IP addresses of every local school memorized? Or is there a reason you know the IP for this particular school?
When you offer someone anonymity, you should defend it, not gleefully expose them. It’s fitting that your post is tagged with ‘vulgarity’ because I find you action highly objectionable. Not to mention a pretty ***** move.
— Dylan Smith
3:24 pm November 17th, 2009

@jmas I said nothing vulgar on my post. in fact, I never post anything vulgar, so I am not worried about being discovered.
Bottom line, dont post something in a public forum if you cannot risk being exposed. The internet is not as private as some of you think.
— mello01
3:33 pm November 17th, 2009

“Bottom line, dont post something in a public forum if you cannot risk being exposed. The internet is not as private as some of you think.”
— mello01
3:33 pm November 17th, 2009

We can expand on what mello01 says to the Warrantless Wiretapping of American Citizens started by Bush and expanded by Obama, “if you’re not doing anything wrong then you shouldn’t worry if the government is tapping your phone. You should have no expecations of Freedom of Speech in a so called Democratic and Free Society until you’re a large corporation like Lee Enterprises. Then you have as much right as your money can purchase.”
— Yeah no kidding
4:14 pm November 17th, 2009

Careful highcard, this guy might get you fired!
— AllowishusDevedanderAbercrombie
4:21 pm November 17th, 2009

@Dylan: Thank you for your comments. I appreciate your point of view, but I respectfully disagree with two points. First, I hoped to express this as a straightforward recounting of what happened. I don’t believe I’m being gleeful in this post. Second, I did not reveal any personal information. I didn’t have any to reveal and I wouldn’t have if I did. I informed the school about the comment. They already know their own IP address.
— Kurt Greenbaum
5:01 pm November 17th, 2009

Well, you can run your forums the way you want to,
but I would want to see if you violated any TOS regarding privacy.
Also, in all fairness, you should be pretty up front about outing people prior to their posting, so that they k ow you might do that.
All that being said, what a jerk move on your part. Posting a single vulgarity is merely offcolor, and hardly worth tracking down. Seriously, I am going to go to town on you guys.
You’ve been warned
— Chris Tolles
5:25 pm November 17th, 2009

OK, Kurt, I’ll spot you the privacy policy consideration. I disagree, but you’d be the one who’d be more familiar with Lee’s approach to their privacy policy. I’d say that interpretation would never fly at Gannett, especially after that incident in Wausau. Despite my many beefs with that company, I respect their position that that sort of info goes out only with a court order or to avoid imminent harm.
But, your readers don’t seem to agree, and a contract requires understanding by both parties. If individual info can be released that readily, perhaps you should revisit the language of your privacy policy and make that clear.
Questions remain, though. One - why bother? Is this commenter such a frequent offender? Why not just ban him? If you don’t like whatever word was used, why doesn’t your system just hash it out? Further - how did you “notice” that the IP address was that of a local school? It’s not all that common to identify an IP that casually.
If you’re going to be revealing information that can ID the computer from which a comment was made, you are effectively IDing the person who made the comment. You should make public the situations in which you do so. Is it just when YOU don’t like a comment? Or if I don’t like what someone’s said, will you tell me from which computer it was posted? Was this a public school you provided information to - an arm of the government?
I’m very familiar with what a pain some commenters can be - the litany of ridiculousness is unending, and the desire to smack them through their monitor is never too far away. But really, you work in a newsroom. How many of your coworkers had the same reaction to the question about the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I can imagine a scenario in which revealing information about a commenter to the authorities would be appropriate. If someone makes a specific threat, sure. But not if someone has a bit of snarky fun with the language.
I fail to see why your action was necessary, or even justifiable.
Thanks for the debate,
— Dylan Smith
5:43 pm November 17th, 2009

Kurt,
I am amazed by the overwhelming number of folks who are calling you out on this. Please, please move this to the front page of the website so people can “take a shine” to the challenge of chewing you a new one. I hope the person who “resigned” is reading all these comments. On their own private computer, with their own IP address of course.
— shut the hell up
5:48 pm November 17th, 2009

Yeah, right Kurt. You already said it was only there a minute before it was reposted. As poorly as this site works you know very well he only reposted i9t because he thought it had not worked the first time.
And you bragged saying you weren’t sure what they could do with so little info but you forwarded it anyway. You violated his privacy by connecting the content of his post with a specific IP.
You ignore all sorts of hate, racism and homophobic rhetoric on this site. And just because it got you angry he posted after it being deleted you decided to come down hard on him.
And then you gloat about how you got him fired.
If you really cared about the forums you would do something about all the hate. But that brings you clicks doesn’t it?
You knew what was likely to happen to the guy. You could have just contacted them. Told them who you were and that you wanted no more posts from that IP. Without revealing the content of the post and connecting it to an individual user. You didn’t need to forward them the time and every other detail. But they needed that to get the guy fired didn’t they.
Squirm Kurt Squirm. It’s about time. Now no one feels safe posting on the forum. You violated the trust people had.
And Oh by the way. I don’t have a boss for you to contact.
— John Todd
5:58 pm November 17th, 2009

Moderate your comments. That solves problems of spam and inappropriate content. Finding the person via their employer was shady and, in this economic environment, just plain mean.
— Cathy Summers
6:09 pm November 17th, 2009

Kurt, I hope one of these posters is a lawyer.
You clearly violated your own Privacy Policy.
I hope this guy sues the PD. Your actions are outrageous, and it’s disgusting that you continue to believe you were right. I’m close to speechless. I’m appalled at your behavior.
And to the other teacher that defends Kurt’s atrocious decision: teachers have down time every now and then for various reasons, some of which are not unethical. I would know. My wife and I are both teachers.
— HalJordan
6:15 pm November 17th, 2009

It was a sophomoric joke, but a joke nonetheless. Letting the dogs loose was certainly uncalled for in this instance.
Your moral high ground rings hollow to me as I’m certain you routinely move much more offensive comments without any attempt to find the commenter.
I’m afraid the posters have you over a barrel, Kurt. They say when you’re in a hole to stop digging. Interesting to see this from a social media director and likely to become a social media case study for the future.
— Snowyaker
6:15 pm November 17th, 2009

Where in your privacy policy does it state the possibility of the Post-Dispatch contacting you unsolicited via server information pulled off the IP?
Are you saying that the Post-Dispatch feels free to call place of business at this point, merely because I’ve posted on this site?
— Altongal
6:27 pm November 17th, 2009

Only if you post something Kurt doesn’t like, Altongirl
— highcard
6:30 pm November 17th, 2009

You should have called his grandma too.
— Attack! Rat
6:34 pm November 17th, 2009

This definitely opens a door I’m not 100% comfortable with. I agree with the people who’ve said you should have just e-mailed the OP to desist (with laying out the consequences for not doing so — i.e., contacting your workplace). But, to out him/her to their employer? That’s crossing a line. *Especially* considering that the OP was making a joke about the original topic, and not using that work as a epithet.
— Julie
6:49 pm November 17th, 2009

I don’t see any disclaimer above your comments field with words to the effect of “we reserve the right to pursue vendettas against people who post content here based on a special secret set of criteria that we enforce at our whim, so watch what you say.”
Just add that disclaimer and this would be perfectly fair and not petty and evil at all.
— proteus
7:35 pm November 17th, 2009

“director of social media” ?? Really? It would appear to me that you really need to re-take whatever test it was you took to get this job. Or was the title bestowed upon you because you had the most FB friends?
I visit many places on the web everyday (don’t worry - I’m self employed) and this was my first time through here. It was interesting to say the least. I now continue on… best of luck to you.
— webwanderer
8:04 pm November 17th, 2009

So basically you’re a humorless jerk, Kurt, and you’re proud of it.
Way to make your paper look good, too, now that everyone knows it has a staff willing to turn people in if they say things the staff dislikes. Ought to be helpful developing sources.
— Michaelk42
8:16 pm November 17th, 2009

Even fellow media people from St. Louis are blasting Kurt on stlmedia.net:
http://stlmedia.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=print&action=display&thread=7030
You have to register to enter this site’s message boards.
— News Hound
8:27 pm November 17th, 2009

Also: the “Think Of The Children!” defense is lame.
What you did may have been legal as well as permissible under your site’s rules, but that doesn’t make it ethical or proportionate to the “offense.”
Writing the gloating blog post about it, however, is what really puts it over the line.
Just think, if you hadn’t posted this, most people would have never known.
— Michaelk42
8:57 pm November 17th, 2009

You all have no shame. Besides getting someone fired over some bull, you write ANOTHER story about it. Give it a rest and get over yourselves as being white knights on the internets. You should be ashamed.
— AsHat
8:59 pm November 17th, 2009

Kurt, I just wanted to say that what John Todd said pretty much sums it up for me.
The comments on these stories should have been removed long ago because of the fact that they are mostly hate, and no one can moderate them worth a cr@p. They simply have no redeeming value to the news that I can see, except to raise $ for the paper through controversy. I am done with this paper over this.
If it makes you feel any better over this though, I hope more people than you are forced to lose your jobs since the entire paper has been worthless since Lee took over.
— jim
9:02 pm November 17th, 2009

I don’t understand why you are proud of this. Kurt, you just lost the Post Dispatch another paying customer! Enough people like me and you may be joining the fellow you got fired.
— Lamar Vannoy
9:08 pm November 17th, 2009

I don’t get it? part of female anatomy?
— timmy
9:16 pm November 17th, 2009

Do you realize what I’ve been through for the past 20 years?
— Dave Mustaine
9:19 pm November 17th, 2009

Come on guys…quit fighting. We have better things to do with our time.
— Kirk Hammett
9:24 pm November 17th, 2009

I’m going to continue with the comments already made.
Kurt Greenbaum is a pathetic human being. I would usually continue on an enlightening tirade about you and personal habits, but I value my job and prefer not to get fired.
Instead…I’m going to offer my apologies to you. It’s obvious you feel threatened by the end of newspapers as we know it. Please keep grasping for every last bit of importance you can hold on to until the end. It’s the only thing you’ve got.
I hope you have a great holiday season. This time next year, newspapers will be extinct and the tables will have turned. Good luck finding a job in an industry as out dated as the silent movie!
— MississippiFolk
9:31 pm November 17th, 2009

Here’s an idea…
Kurt should resign…show at least as much dignity as the guy you blindsided…resign NOW
— highcard
9:42 pm November 17th, 2009

Now, I may never achieve the top of the journalistic heap like Bob Carpenter, but I do believe that you went a bit too far, sir.
— Mike Krukow
9:43 pm November 17th, 2009

Meep
— Carlos Miller
9:44 pm November 17th, 2009

This idea of yours went down quicker than my plane.
— Bob Richards
9:48 pm November 17th, 2009

It appears Kurt Greenbaum has a fresh set of downs. Who wants to come over to my place to listen to some Yanni?
— Bryant Gumbel
9:50 pm November 17th, 2009

Free Mr. Clark!
— The fat kid from Lean On ME
9:51 pm November 17th, 2009

Does anyone want to see what happens to the Sports Machine if I press the big red button?
— George Michael
9:54 pm November 17th, 2009

It’s just been revoked!
— Roger Murtaugh
9:59 pm November 17th, 2009

After reading these comments, my days as a shock jock are officially over.
— Ed Goodman
10:03 pm November 17th, 2009

Seriously, you all should stop being immature about this. It waters down the effectiveness of the comments that have a valid point against his actions. All of his arguments are very weak…is no one else at the PD reviewing this action?
— jp
10:04 pm November 17th, 2009

I agree jp!
a/s/l?
— BH_Road
10:07 pm November 17th, 2009

This is outrageous. How in the world did you think this could possibly be a good idea? I’m canceling my post subscription and my season tickets tomorrow.
— some guy
10:08 pm November 17th, 2009

This is sad that a man will now be unemployed over this, this is bad for the city.
— Rich Parent Shattered Jock Strap
10:08 pm November 17th, 2009

We hate laughing at bad jokes.
— The Company
10:12 pm November 17th, 2009

I’m just a STL chick…typically don’t share much more I wonder, Kurt, since you are so amazed at your bloggers defending the use of a vulgarity, are you busy tracking down all of the people on this blog and on all of the other bloggers that are using vulgarities?
You’ve probably seen this e-mail address post on this site before, so you know that I’m no crazy and my comments are mostly level-headed. I am just baffled by this, though. Why this guy? Why this expletive? It really does seem like he may have double posted because he didn’t see his comment yet. A stupid, irrelevant comment, yes…but not any worse than I’ve seen on here. Do you have proof against this?
— jp
10:14 pm November 17th, 2009

Creepy
— BH_Road
10:15 pm November 17th, 2009

me?
— jp
10:18 pm November 17th, 2009

See? I’ve seen much worse on this site.
— jp
10:20 pm November 17th, 2009

ell, guess I walked into this one. So much for public discourse. Goodnight.
— jp
10:32 pm November 17th, 2009

I run a lot of websites and I manage forums and comments threads as well as other places where people post all kinds of personal, identifiable information about themselves. You’d be surprised what some people put online about themselves thinking their privacy will not be breached.
The great thing about the internet is that most of the time it’s ignored, moderated, and left alone. I could humiliate and ruin a person a day if I so chose, but I don’t. Why would I?
An internet persona is basically an extension of a person’s innermost thoughts. They use it to try out different ideas and personalities.
Here, anonymity is the core of free expression (no matter how vulgar, childish, or controversial) because anonymity allows people to speak, research, and discuss things without fear of condemnation. It’s good that you can do that somewhere, and after a few weeks your comments tend to expire into relative oblivion. You can discuss unpopular ideas, or express your shames, or just act like a kid. Isn’t that a good thing? Sure we all have to put up with nonsense on the internet, but it’s practically a given now.
You violated someone’s privacy for violating your stupid posting guidelines. There’s nothing funny, cool, or clever about that. I hope google publishes your search records. See how you feel about it then.
— doctor yoo
10:46 pm November 17th, 2009

What happened to all of this talk, Kurt?
http://www.igreenbaum.com/2009/09/6-reasons-were-lazy-about-story-comments/
— oops!
10:54 pm November 17th, 2009

“We will not share individual user information with third parties unless the user has specifically approved the release of that information. In some cases, however, we may provide information to legal officials as described in ‘Compliance with Legal Process’”
Also, it looks like you violated your privacy policy. Can someone fire you now?
— doctor yoo
10:56 pm November 17th, 2009

I have to agree with the other people commenting here: You WAY crossed the bounds of your job and got a dude unnecessarily fired. (Whether or not he “resigned” after being confronted is beside the point: It was your actions that set his unemployment in motion). Moreover your initial response to ghetto prez proves how self-righteous you are. Totally uncool.
— mkg
11:27 pm November 17th, 2009

Doctor Yoo may be on to something…
— Susan Kidd's Lovechild
11:29 pm November 17th, 2009

So was this compliant with stltoday.com’s privacy policy?
“We will not share individual user information with third parties unless the user has specifically approved the release of that information.”
You disclosed confidential information on a comment poster to a third party which caused them to loose their job. I hope you get sued.
— Anonymous
11:41 pm November 17th, 2009

You should be ashamed of yourself, Mr. Greenbaum.
— Quincy
12:38 am November 18th, 2009

Mr. Greenbaum-
Your actions are reprehensible. It is in your best interest to resign at this point as well. At least, you should go on voluntary suspension if there were such a thing.
Making such a brash decision without warning or reprimand is out of line.
You’ve lost another reader.
— Snax
12:48 am November 18th, 2009

Your claim that you didn’t give the school any information they didn’t already have is belied by your statement in the article that you forwarded the school the WordPress e-mail alert with the IP address. Either you have no idea how the Internet works, or one of your statements is a bald lie. In either case, you’ve definitely violated the man’s privacy, which would be bad in any event, but especially so from a member of the journalism community. And give your insistence that you’ve done nothing wrong, you clearly have no business being a “director of social media.”
— Shmuel
12:55 am November 18th, 2009

I’m thinking someone should help Kurt get to the unemployment office.
— potatohead
2:04 am November 18th, 2009

This is so very wrong on so many levels I don’t know where to begin.
Most unfortunately it ends with an entirely inappropriate and disproportionate outcome.
— Tacitus
5:44 am November 18th, 2009

I can hardly believe this. Kurt, for the many reasons that have been so well elucidated above, you are a total piece of (something I won’t say here so you won’t call my employer and get ME fired).
I hope the PD fires you. As has been pointed out, the moderation here is inconsistent at best anyway, yet you expend all this time and effort to vindictively get someone fired? Unprofessional, immature and BAD FOR BUSINESS! Looking forward to hearing about your pink slip.
— Brian
5:47 am November 18th, 2009

My bet is this: He didn’t tell Arnie Robbins, Kevin Mowbray or Mary Junck what he was going to do before he did it.
Bet they aren’t real happy with Kurt.
— daHood
6:02 am November 18th, 2009

Professional Cycling Event Coming to The Grove and St. Louis City From Winghaven?

2009-11-17T22:48:00.000-06:00

The word is that the Tour de Winghaven may be looking for a new home. Their first choice? The Grove. Exactly what is the Tour de Winghaven? It's a USA Cycling National Racing Calendar event. And what's THAT? The best analogy may be that the NRC is to the Tour de France as US Major League Soccer is to the Premier League - a professional league one step below the best.

There are 17 events that compose the national cycling "season" and while there are many other races across the country, these are the big ones. With the Gateway Cup and now three years of the Tour of Missouri, St. Louis certainly has experience putting on big events. The professional race would be complemented by amateur racing throughout the day along with other festivities. The race organizers have an excellent record in engaging local businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

This would be a huge event for The Grove and the City of St. Louis. Several hundred riders and support staff would be in town along with hundreds more amateur racers. This means occupied hotel rooms, busy restaurants, etc. These types of events can help identify a neighborhood and this event in particular would be a very positive, family-oriented event that would complement the relative debauchery of Grovefest.

The reason for the possible move? An urban setting provides a much better venue for cycling. It's easier to get to, the crowds are larger, fans and cyclists have places to eat, places to stay and the scene is simply more attractive. Needless to say that this sites doesn't believe that Winghaven shows off St. Louis' best side. We say, welcome to The Grove!

A possible route is highlighted in blue below with alternative sections in red. Plans for this national event need to be confirmed several months in advance of the June 13 event so we should know more before February.

View Tour de Grove - NRC in a larger map

Northstar Commuter Rail Offers Alternative to I-94, Highway 10 for Minnesota Drivers

2009-11-16T16:02:00.001-06:00

Commuters from Big Lake, MN to Minneapolis, and several points between, can now choose rail. Monday morning the first train left the far northwest exurb for the 45 mile trip to Minnesota's largest city. The distance is nearly identical to traveling from Wentzville to downtown St. Louis. Perhaps it's time to consider commuter rail for St. Louis.

There are groups focused on expanding MetroLink, those who wish to bring a trolley to the Delmar Loop, others work toward high-speed rail connecting St. Louis with Chicago and Kansas City and yet still others wonder why Metro's bus stops and routes aren't more accommodating. We need to look at our region as, well, a region and consider our transportation options.

For $317M, more or less, St. Louis could have a line to Wentzville, stopping in St. Charles along the way or a line to Eureka or Festus. Some would argue that our job centers are not concentrated enough to support commuter rail. But we only seal our fate as an auto-centric commuting region, committed to ever-expanding highways, if we do not build a more diverse transit infrastructure.

The Minneapolis line expects to carry 1,700 passengers per day. It is hoped that the line will eventually reach St. Cloud, another 20 miles to the northwest. I would be surprised if a Wentzville, St. Charles, St. Louis line would carry less. Of course an extension of MetroLink may prove to be a viable alternative. Many would say that MetroLink already serves largely as commuter rail, though I would say this is more the case in Illinois.

The benefit of new commuter like the Northstar line is amenities. Comfortable seats, wide aisles, outlets for laptops, wi-fi and more make a 40 minute ride more enjoyable and productive (not to mention safer) than driving. The trains in Minnesota travel nearly 80 MPH and depart Big Lake every half hour between 5-7:30 a.m. and Minneapolis from 4-6:30 p.m.

Maya Lin, Michael Van Valkenburgh to Lead Design of BJC/WU Medical Center Plaza at BioMed21

2009-11-15T06:15:00.000-06:00

{an early rendering of the plaza at BioMed21}

With the nearly 700,000 square foot BioMed21 building basically complete attention will soon turn toward completing the large plaza formed by the new building at the corner of Children's Place and Euclid Avenue. According to sources at Washington University two eminent designers have been engaged: Maya Lin and Michael Van Valkenburgh. Despite some issues with the BioMed21 building itself and the closing of Children's Place and another block of Euclid Avenue, the participation of Lin and Van Valkenburgh is an exciting development.

Of course Lin is best known for designing the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. She will be designing a fountain for the new plaza. Van Valkenburgh is known for many projects including Mill Race Park in Columbus, Indiana, the Peabody Essex Museum and the renovation of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.

Renderings are not yet available of either Lin's or Van Valkenburgh's work for the BJC/WU Medical Campus, but we will be sure to post them here when we have them. Below are images of the BioMed21 building as it now sits and as it's designed for expansion as well as its site location within the campus.

{BioMed21 as built, the lower wing is designed for vertical expansion}

{BioMed21 showing future expansion}

{aerial view of BioMed21's central campus location}

Council Circle Nearly Complete: Project Adds Another Human-scale "Place" to Forest Park

2009-11-14T07:17:00.000-06:00

{the new council circle looking south}

To follow up on an earlier post about the new "council circle" in Forest Park, I have a couple quick cellphone photos to show just how nice and unobtrusive the addition is. As I've commented before, Forest Park is somewhat lacking in "places," those spots where one returns to time and time again to relax, read or just take in the ambiance of the park.

The council circle is built into the bank of the stream a little more than a hundred feet or so behind the Sigel Statue that sits where Union Boulevard terminates in the park. It's understated and while a little landscaping remains, the limestone blocks do not detract from the bucolic nature of the walking path. When you get a chance be sure to check out the latest human-scale addition to the park and let us know what you think.

I've been told that there are plan for more "places" like this that await private donor support. The risk is that while driving through the park or attending an event at one of the major park attractions one sees the renovation of the park to be complete. After all there are newly paved roads and sidewalks, rebuilt fountains and the MUNY, History Museum and Art Museum look great. Let's hope that the new Forest Park Forever President is a successful fundraiser.

{the new council circle looking northeast}

{rendering and site location of council circle}

Taylor and Newstead Avenue I-64 Overpasses Should Receive Improved Pedestrian Treatment

2009-11-13T06:46:00.003-06:00

{current Taylor Avenue I-64 overpass looking north}

Once upon a time the several overpasses linking Forest Park Southeast across I-64 to the BJC/WU Medical Center campus and the Central West End were to be part of the "New I-64". Budget restrictions eventually eliminated any work east of Kingshighway and the overpasses are not in imminent danger of collapse, but they will be replaced.

First will be the Tower Grove/I-64 interchange. This is allow westbound entry and eastbound exit from I-64 and is being partially paid for by BJC as it will offer employees and visitors another option for entering the medical campus. Currently, traffic from the west uses Kingshighway. An interchange will pose a challenge for pedestrian access, though being adjacent to the new Chouteau Park pedestrians should be accommodated. Either way, the interchange has already been engineered and there is arguably less need for a quality pedestrian connection here. But I believe that the Taylor and Newstead Avenue overpasses are absolutely critical to connecting the FPSE and CWE neighborhoods.

There's a quick list of items that should be addressed by a new overpass: sidewalks should continue straight from south to north, road width should be narrowed to one lane in each direction, and the overpass should be widened to accommodate traditional streetlights, small trees and other plantings.

I venture a guess that neither overpass will be rebuilt for several years, but that only means that good ideas for their reconstruction must be presented now. Taylor Avenue is the most significant overpass for FPSE residents walking to Forest Park, the medical center, MetroLink or the Central West End. The images below are of Taylor Avenue, but as Newstead will connect directly to the new Chouteau Park, creating a widened pedestrian crossing is equally important there.

{current Taylor Avenue I-64 overpass}

{proposed Taylor Avenue I-64 overpass}

FINALLY! McEagle Partners With Robert Wood Realty On $13M Historic Clemens House Rehab

2009-11-12T13:49:00.009-06:00

{Clemens House circa 1908 - photo courtesy of St. Louis Public Radio}

This may be the reason the phrase "better late then never" was invented. Tim Logan is reporting on the Building Blocks blog that the Clemens House will undergo a $13M rehab. Having long sat vacant and deteriorating, the Clemens House at 1849 Cass Avenue north of downtown St. Louis is getting a new lease on life. Paul McKee purchased the building in 2005. Previous owners have included World Trading, Inc., The Universal Vietnamese and long-time owner Berean Missionary Baptist Association.

The Clemens House has become a symbol of neglect in the heart of the proposed NorthSide project. It was one of the early properties purchased by McKee's Blairmont Associates and is not the first official development announced by McKee. In short, the Clemens House will become senior apartments and a museum. The early word is that the house and chapel will both be renovated.

McKee's partner is Robert Wood Realty. Work is reported to begin in summer 2010 and be completed the following year. Wood is no stranger to large-scale historic rehab. Previous projects include Franklin School on Delmar. The partnership is encouraging as it points to McKee's willingness to engage developers who specialize in just the type of work needed in North St. Louis.

This blog has long been more concerned with McKee's partners in implementing a vision for NorthSide than McKee himself. While recognizing the shortcomings and damage done by the process of land acquisition to this point, the self-admitted fact that McEagle doesn't build houses or do historic rehab is not a good reason to oppose NorthSide. Any large development requires partners. This is the first sign that McKee may be able and willing to partner with the right people to build his vision.

There's an incredible amount of information on the Internet about the Clemens House thanks to Michael Allen, Robert Powers and others. Click the links below or hit "the Google" to find more. For St. Louis Urban Workshop coverage of NorthSide click here.

Built St. Louis // Ecoabsence // St. Louis Beacon

{Clemens House circa 2000 - image courtesy of Landmarks St. Louis}

{Clemens House circa 2006 - image courtesy of Underground Ozarks blog}

"Great Streets" in Clayton? Business Owner Calls for North Central Avenue Pedestrian Improvements

2009-11-11T13:48:00.003-06:00

Manchester Avenue in The Grove, South Grand, Washington Avenue: all have seen are are undergoing incredible transformations into more pedestrian friendly streets. Together, it's tempting to see these projects as a bit of a winning streak for St. Louis. People are talking about how to improve some of our major historic urban commercial districts. Even minds within the City Streets Department are opening to the possibilities. The only negative seems to be that each project has come as the result of one-time million-dollar plus allocations and not as standard operating procedure.

So where to next? How about Clayton? Could the region's most dense inner suburb become more pedestrian friendly? North Central Avenue is Clayton's most human-scale street, largely consisting of one and two story buildings. Restaurants and other businesses line both sides of the street. It's generally where I end up when eating in Clayton, day or night. But for all its charm it's also a four-lane street with parking lanes as well.

Several other once human-scale streets are likely burdened with too many lanes and too-fast traffic forever. The storefronts along Maryland Avenue should constitute an attractive promenade. They don't. Similar shops on the north side of Clayton Road just east of Hanley Road suffer a similar fate. And one of my favorite places, City Coffeehouse has an attractive patio only to sit along busy and unattractive Brentwood Boulevard.

{a view of North Central Avenue in Clayton}

The West End Word reports that businessman John Oates is working hard to introduce a new streetscape to North Central Avenue. There's a blog promoting the idea of a "garden" pedestrian experience and a call for individuals to directly lobby everyone in Clayton city government from the Deputy City Manager to the Mayor.

{graphic of possible pedestrian North Central Avenue - courtesy of Central Avenue Garden blog}

He's right. North Central should be a better pedestrian experience. There should be more sidewalk and less traffic capacity. Two lanes could easily handle current and forseable traffic. Outdoor seating at restaurants like Pomme and Barcelona is meager and occupies too much of the available sidewalk. So where does the idea stand? Clayton officials are publicly open to the idea, but also explain that the project is more complex and expensive than Mr. Oates would have people believe. They are correct in this assertion.

Mr. Oates believes Clayton is doing too little to help small businesses while focusing on incentives for large corporations such as Centene. The new Centene tower location, once-upon-a-time reported to be locating in Ballpark Village, was a victory for Clayton and adds more workers to patronize local establishments. There's little reason Clayton should not have persued Centene. Hopefully they will persue pedestrian improvements with the same vigor. Combating the office park feel of Clayton is a big challenge, but giving pedestrians an inviting anchor street would be a start. Eventually creating a network of inviting walking streets would be transformative. Here's just one concept for such a network that would reach into surrounding neighborhoods and offer multiple walking options within Clayton:

The "New I-64" - St. Louis' Rebuilt Urban Interstate - Part III: Big Bend to Kingshighway

2009-11-10T13:19:00.000-06:00

First I looked at the "New I-64" from I-270 to Clayton/Warson Roads and then the I-170 interchange to Laclede Station. Now I'm looking at the east end of the project area, Big Bend to Kingshighway.

The Big Bend interchange may be the most significant change along the eastern portion of the project as users may now enter and exit from both eastbound and westbound lanes. Previously, drivers could only exit westbound and enter eastbound on I-64. This should help businesses along Big Bend as well as those on Clayton Road at Big Bend. Eastbound traffic going to Washington University, Fontbonne and further north to the Delmar Loop can now exit onto Big Bend. The same holds true for destinations south on Big Bend to Manchester Road.

{the new full Big Bend interchange}

The Bellevue interchange has been rebuilt and continues to allow an eastbound exit and westbound entrance to I-64. As with other overpasses, the pedestrian access is better, but almost wholly because the bridge is new. Streetlamps and a physically separated sidewalk are welcome. However, the last time I used this overpass pedestrian access was restricted to the east side of Bellevue. The is a needless restriction.

The McCausland interchange sees some substantial changes and benefits residents of Berthold Avenue. The old westbound entrance to I-64 was arrived at by first turning onto Bethold from McCausland which appeared to be a residential street. The entrance was only seen once proceeding around a corner and merging with Blendon Place and passing Wise Ave. This was an awkward exercise for drivers and introduced a significant amount of pass through traffic to the neighborhood. Berthold gets a cul-de-sac (I don't know if this will connect via an alley to Ethel Avenue, but it should) and I-64 gets a dedicated entrance ramp. These are needed and worthwhile improvements.

{the new McCausland interchange}

The Oakland/Skinker/Clayton Road cluster has been rebuilt with the big change being the elimination of direct I-64 access from Oakland Avenue. Drivers will now use the McCausland interchange.

{the Oakland/Skinker/Clayton Road area}

I've previously looked at pedestrian access to Forest Park, including from the south and looking at access as a component of the "New I-64" and so will be looking at the Hampton and Kingshighway Avenues interchanges from a traffic perspective here.

The Hampton Avenue interchange is greatly improved. The old I-64 had many cramped on ramps and off ramps, built to accommodate vehicles merging with 40 MPH traffic, but Hampton Avenue may have been the worst. The new single-point interchange fixes this. The roundabout in Forest Park is a great addition as well. Finally, direct access for eastbound I-64 traffic wanted to go east on Oakland Avenue has been added. This prevents traffic from otherwise exiting I-64 southbound onto Hampton and having to immediately cross traffic to reach a left turn lane onto Oakland.

{Hampton Avenue at I-64}

Lastly, the Kingshighway cloverleaf (famously once remarked to be American's national flower by Lewis Mumford) is gone, replaced by a single-point interchange. Much more is happening at this interchange as well. While some areas have seen land reopened to development by shrinking interchanges, this is the most significant. This is mostly because of the land appetite of WU/BJC Medical Center. As a result of a new lease, amenities such as tennis courts and playground equipment currently located in Hudlin Park (top right of image below) will be moved to the south side of Clayton Avenue on "new" land. To the southeast a Drury hotel proposal was put forth, but now appears to be dead. It seems like that whether it be Drury, another hotel or other development, something is likely to be built at this location.

{Kingshighway at I-64}

What's next? A new interchange paid for in-part by BJC will be built to allow eastbound traffic to exit I-64 at Tower Grove Avenue. This exit will provide a match to the westbound exit at Boyle and eastbound entrance on Papin in Forest Park Southeast and is primarily intended to alleviate employee and visitor traffic to the hospital and medical complex. The vast majority of traffic now uses the Kingshighway interchange. Farther east Grand Avenue will be rebuilt over I-64. The original plan was to restore some of the monumentalism of the old viaduct, but in subsequent renderings the attractive parts of the bridge have been scaled back and will likely be further subdued by the time construction begins.

Despite Misleading Headline, Fox2 Gets the Story on TIF Giveaways Right on St. Louis Big Box Blight

2009-11-09T14:22:00.002-06:00

The headline screams, "Big Box Blight A Product Of The Great Recession." Well, no, it's not. One can always dig a little deeper and get at a truth behind the truth, but in this case little digging is needed. Yes, the economy isn't going gangbusters at the moment. Yes, stores are closing for a lack of consumer spending. No, the "Great Recession" isn't the reason.

According to the Wall Street Journal more than 1,000,000,000 square feet (that's 1B) of retail space has been built in our nation's 54 largest markets since 2000. Retail space now measures 38 square feet for each and every person in those 54 regions. Too much retail space exists for the number of residents. Only an incredibly optimistic projection of consumer spending made in the fall 2007 would have predicted a need for retail space.

In some respects the problem is less bad in St. Louis than elsewhere. In places like Fort Worth and Dallas, TX, Mesa, AZ and Fort Myers, FL, retail centers of 500,000 square and larger sit vacant. Some will not be finished. Fifty proposed Home Depot stores have been canceled. St. Louis didn't overbuild that way some places have. And the metro area compares will to cities such as Denver and Kansas City

I do not know specifically what problems these cities and others (see graphic below) experience, but Fox2 nails it when citing the use of TIF to lure big box retail and the subsequent tax revenue by municipalities in the St. Louis area. The numbers do not indicated that the problem is "particularly acute in Saint Louis" as Fox2 asserts, but again, they do highlight one significant reason that it is a problem here and they talk to the right people.

The notion of retail cannibalism is a problem across the country. It's particularly acute in Saint Louis where big box retailers frequently close up shop in one location and open in another location. A former Wal-mart along Manchester road in West County only to open up just a few miles West. Why does it happen so often here? Blame it on short-term tax incentives and the way municipalities collect their revenue.

Overbuilding at a time when retailers were already struggling to survive. One study shows at least 20% of malls and shopping centers were under performing before the recession. Up until recently developers were still building all over Saint Louis often funded through millions of dollars in tax increment financing.

"Generally speaking the county is about a million people and the question is how much retail do a million people need?" Mike Jones

{retail statistic graphics courtesy of Lane Midwest Retail Report}

WUMCRC Helps Lifelong FPSE Resident Diane Ottinger Feature Artwork Online

2009-11-08T19:25:00.000-06:00

The good works from the Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation just keep coming. Thanks to WUMCRC, lifelong FPSE resident and artist Diane Ottinger now as a website on which to promote her incredible art. This is an innovative way for the WUMCRC to have a great impact on the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. The mix of new residents and long-time, even lifelong, residents makes the area vibrant and interesting.

Click over to http://dianeottinger.com/ when you have a chance and check out the Diane's amazing work. Here's just one example:

{"Harpo" 40"x33" by Diane Ottinger}

Washington University, Home Depot Team Up to Help Keep FPSE Residents Safe and in Their Homes

2009-11-06T21:11:00.000-06:00

While not everyone seems to always appreciate the presence of Washington University at the doorstep of Forest Park Southeast (and its ownership and activity throughout the neighborhood), I think it's going to be hard to fault this effort. The WU Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation teamed up with Home Depot and Rebuilding Together St. Louis to help an FPSE resident with some basic, but incredibly important home repairs.

Fox2 covered the story and the recipient of the help left a message on the Fox2 comments section:

I was the fortunate homeowner who received the blessings from Rebuilding Together, Home Depot and Washington University today. The people from Home Depot donated their time and building materials to repair areas in my home that desperately needed attention. I have been unable to afford these repairs and also lacked the know how to get them done. All of the volunteers from Home Depot and the house captain, store manager Tom Harris were so knowledgeable, able and very nice. I appreciate all that has been done for me today. Thank you very much! These services are a GOD send to me and I am very very grateful.

Thank you WUMCRC for helping an FPSE resident say in their home! If you do not often check out the WUMCRC blog you should. They are doing some excellent work in the neighborhood. If you're not someone who bookmarks your favorite 24 urban issues blogs keep checking back here and I'll highlight their best work.

Harbor San Carlos: the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time for the Wrong Price With the Wrong Developer?

2009-11-06T06:12:00.002-06:00

{a rough rendering of the Harbor San Carlos project site}

The St. Charles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to name Developer Michael Sellenschuetter as "preferred developer" for Harbor San Carlos. The vision, first proposed in 2006, is for a canal as an off shoot of the Missouri River, pedestrian bridges to a sometimes island in the river, retail, residential and a marina. The $1B project would cover more than 300 acres. The image above shows the site outlined in red with the canal drawn in its approximate location. The Ameristar Casino is to the right and the Family Arena can be seen on the far left.

KMOV has a video of the presentation to the City Council on their website (click image below). And in excellent Post-Dispatch fashion, one of the first comments on STLToday.com was by an "Underwhelmed" whose felt it necessary to state: "Sounds as if they are catering to the Mexicans in the area? Why not call it something American?" Keep it classy. According to the Post-Dispatch the name San Carlos pays homage to "San Carlos Borromeo, the city and county's namesake who was the patron saint of King Carlos of Spain. The area was under Spanish rule in 1791 when the city got the name, which in English is St. Charles." I'm glad that's cleared up.

Anyway, instead of writing a narrative of what's wrong with this proposal I'm just going to use bullet points.

Developer is seeking up to $125M in TIF
Developer claims that canal off Missouri River would be similar to the San Antonio, Texas canal walk
Money would be sought from US Army Corps of Engineers and economic stimulus funds
Project would be built in a significant flood zone
Developer believes the project would have a "national draw"
Project could take 15 years to complete
With New Town St. Charles roughly 1/6 built will there be demand for this project?
St. Charles has given a $55M TIF for a mixed-use development (Noah's Ark site) very near this site
Finally, developer Sellenschuetter appears to have a less than stellar development record and multiple news agencies are now investigating his ties to members of the City Council. Multiple lawsuits from homeowners and contractors from previous developments are pending.

I do have to say that I believe the City Council vote to be a moot point as the development is unlikely to be built. Of course less sane developments have been approved and the regional battle for residents and tax revenue make local approval of nearly any project unpredictable.

Forest Park's Limited Pedestrian Accessibility: I-64, Golf Courses and More Get in The Way

2009-11-05T11:50:00.001-06:00

View Forest Park Access in a larger map

I'm a regular user of Forest Park. These days I enter the park from Clayton Avenue, passing under Kingshighway at the far Southeast corner of the park. Before moving to Forest Park Southeast I live in University City and entered the park from Forsyth or sometimes the corner of Lindell and Skinker. Before that I lived in the Central West End and accessed the park via West Pine Boulevard. Anyway, I've been around the park and have always been frustrated by the infrequency and unfriendliness of pedestrian access.

The issue has arisen again as the "New I-64" is set to reopen along the south side of Forest Park. Some, including myself, think that a parkway should have replaced I-64. Some would like to see I-64 tunneled through the park (an incredibly expensive and unrealistic idea, in my opinion). But what we have is neither. And as such, I am concerned with two questions: First, has the "New I-64" made pedestrian accessibility better or worse and is access to Forest Park from the south better or worse than accessibility from the west, north or east.

Some perspective and explanation is likely in order regarding the map above. What I have attempted to do is highlight pedestrian access points to Forest Park and make an educated guess as to which access point a user from a particular neighborhood may most frequently use. Lastly, I've highlighted barriers to entry. In some places you may cut across a street and enter the park at the point of your choosing. At other places gaining access to the park is limited for one reason or another. These barriers are highlighted in white. I'll address the nature of the barriers later, as that clearly affects to pedestrian experience.

The first thing apparent to me is that accessibility isn't particularly easy in a number of locations. From the west pedestrians can cross Skinker and walk on the park path, but can only enter further into the park at Wells Drive or Wydown due to Kennedy Forest and the golf course. There is an unpaved walking path leading in to the Kennedy Forest approximately across from Rosebury Avenue as well, but in effect there are two entrances to the park along its western boundary.

To the north accessibility is most limited by the large single-family homes that line Lindell Boulevard and Forest Park Parkway behind them. Residents just a few hundred feet north of the park must walk to Skinker, Des Peres, DeBaliviere or Union to enter the park. Cricket Drive is another entrance, but is not a direct path for all but a very few pedestrians. The northern entrances to the park likely make sense because most pedestrians are funneled to one of the entrances by Forest Park Parkway and the homes on Lindell. Once again the golf course severely limits access to all but the walking path. Having a path(s) allowing pedestrians to traverse the golf course would be a welcome addition. Of course Forest Park is going the other way and removing pedestrian paths and creating larger barriers.

On the east Central West End residents must enter the park via West Pine Boulevard. From there one can take Grand Drive or the footbridge over the MetroLink line. There should be a pedestrian entrance to Forest Park across from Laclede Avenue and the path and footbridge should be greatly enhanced. Although serving an institutional population south of Forest Park Avenue, the entrance across from Children's Hospital should be more significant and sidewalks need to be added to the Hospital Drive entrance. The Clayton Avenue entrance has been improved if only by having new sidewalks and lighting and the removal of the northbound Kingshighway exit ramp.

I'll include the new footbridge to the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood on the east side as pedestrians using the footbridge would enter the park via Clayton Avenue. The footbridge has its quirks but it's location and design are an enormous improvement over the previous footbridge. I'm guessing that there will still be a few muggings here each year, but it's much, much more safe that what neighborhood residents were using in the past.

{the new Forest Park Southeast footbridge under construction}

{the Forest Park Southeast footbridge looking south}

{the old footbridge - photo courtesy of MODOT}

Considering pedestrian connection on the south side of Forest Park brings me back to my two questions: First, has the "New I-64" made pedestrian accessibility better or worse and is access to Forest Park from the south better or worse than accessibility from the west, north or east.

As mentioned above, the new Forest Park Southeast footbridge is a huge improvement and the Clayton Avenue park entrance is somewhat improved as well. The pedestrian tunnel near the Science Center is better than the tunnel it replaced. While the old tunnel nearer Macklind Avenue provided a more direct connection for cyclists or pedestrians coming from The Hill, the new tunnel better serves the Kings Oak neighborhood and SLU High School. The most significant improvement to the tunnel wasn't recognizable before its completion: The old tunnel had a zig-zag entrance that prevented users or passersby to see into the tunnel. It was a dark, uninviting place. The new tunnel is straight through. Driving down Oakland Avenue one can see clear through the tunnel. This makes it more safe and more attractive; more pedestrian friendly.

{the old pedestrian tunnel near Macklind and Oakland Avenues}

{the new pedestrian tunnel under construction}

Looking at the Hampton Avenue, access has been approved, again if only by rebuilding infrastructure. Although somewhat longer than crossing Hampton Avenue, once in the park users can cross under Hampton to access the recreational path. The Tamm Avenue bridge is more pedestrian friendly as well. While the fencing and lighting is bland, it is an improvement.

{the new recreational path tunnel under Hampton Avenue within Forest Park}

My conclusion is that the "New I-64" project has improved pedestrian access to Forest Park. I do not think that current access is adequate and I believe it's an absolute travesty that Forest Park is not better connected to surrounding neighborhoods.

Finally, while pedestrian access to the park from the south is not adequate, it's not much worse than the rest of the park. The glaring caveat to this is that crossing I-64 by tunnel or bridge is exceptionally less appealing than crossing Skinker, Forest Park Parkway and Lindell or Kingshighway. I believe that this points to more of a problem with Forest Park, the entity, and how the park is managed than with MODOT.

I understand that MODOT would push to build a highway that best serves the car. What I do not understand is why Forest Park Forever and other stake holders do not demand better pedestrian access to the park. Some give and take would be expected, but the park constituency should be very demanding on this issue. Instead we seem to be stuck in a take and allow relationship.

For anyone hoping that the pedestrian experience to, from and in Forest Park will become ascendant you're out of luck. As written about here, Forest Park Forever does not recognize as a "key goal" the pedestrian experience and the newly hired President of the organization is a career MODOT engineer who managed the "New I-64" project. We should all expect to settle for a destination park that prioritizes the moving of cars to and from various attractions as the expense of the casual park visitor.

What should have been (still should be) built to improve access across I-64? Take a look at this project in Providence, RI connecting a residential neighborhood to India Point Park:

The "New I-64" - St. Louis' Rebuilt Urban Interstate - Part II: I-170 Interchange East to Hanley Road

2009-11-04T10:52:00.008-06:00

The I-170/I-64 interchange is the most substantial change made by the "New I-64" project. Vehicles wishing to connect from one to the other from any direction can now do so without exiting and re-entering the Interstate. This eliminates pass-through traffic on surrounding roads and, at least in theory, mean less traffic congestion. The Hanley Road intersection was redesigned and Laclede Station Road exit removed as well.

The I-170/I-64 interchange had been unfinished since the completion of I-170. It was thought that I-170 may some day continue south of I-64 and that the interchange would be addressed at that point. The idea was eventually scrapped by local municipalities and tax-generating retail center now occupy the area. So, was a new interchange needed?

Brentwood Boulevard would have been a great place for the eastern terminus of the the Interstate and its transformation into an urban boulevard. With properly timed traffic lights and appropriate infrastructure the average speed of vehicles could have been maintained at 50 MPH, not much less than on an urban Interstate, and provided immeasurable benefits to the community fabric that is town apart by the presence of an Interstate.

Of course that's not what happened. The I-170 interchange exemplifies the MODOT mission and its shortcomings. I don't doubt that the interchanges themselves are easier to navigate, allow drivers to drive faster and are generally safer. But achieving these three items came at a cost.

Dozens of home were demolished to make way for southbound I-170 traffic going eastbound on I-64 and vice-versa. The flyovers ramps themselves are enormously outsized, something I would have loved as an 8-year-old and the sound walls, support columns and structural walls are just ugly. What would it have cost to redesign these components? Nothing? Maybe $5-10M? I wish they would have done it.

Roads speak to drivers. Although some traffic connections have been improved, the net affect of the new I-170/I-64 interchange says, "this isn't a place where people live or even where you may want to slow down and take a look around and spend time. This is an area dominated by a monstrous Interstate or two, and built solely to accommodate cars." And some may not object to this. As near as I can tell, this is MODOT's mission.

Moving east the Hanley Avenue interchange has a completely new configuration. Most significant, Hanley Avenue will now have a direct connection with Brentwood Boulevard, allowing eastbound vehicles to bypass Eager Road on the south side of I-64 and providing a dedicated lane for Hanley Avenue traffic to connect to Brentwood or I-170 on the north side of I-64. It is this configuration that necessitated the taking of homes, but which may provide the most significant impact along the project other than the I-170/I-64 interchange itself.

Additionally, the Eager and Hanley Road intersection was reconfigured as a "jug handle." I covered the opening of this intersection here. This reconfiguration will relieve congestion on Eager Road by eliminating the need for traffic entering eastbound I-64 or proceeding northbound on Hanley from crossing Hanley. This is a great improvement.

Further east, the single Laclede Station exit no longer exists. Personally I'll miss it as coming from the City I would often take this exit if I were shopping at Maplewood Commons. It was a great way to avoid Hanley Road congestion. That said, I also mistakenly took this exit a few times as the Hanley exit sign preceded it and the two exits came in very quick succession.

{a view of the now gone Laclede Station exit}

In "Part III" I will be looking at the "New I-64" project's impact at Big Bend Avenue, McCauland, Hampton and Kingshighway as well as rebuilt pedestrian connections and their affect on access to Forest Park and other places.

Urban Walmart Stores are Coming and You Won't Be Able To Stop Them Even If You Want To

2009-11-03T05:32:00.002-06:00

I suppose it's not a big secret, but the Financial Times had a quick piece the other day about Walmart's plan to expand into urban areas. In some places such as Chicago and New York City Walmart stores have not been able to penetrate urban neighborhoods due to resistance by residents. In other cities, St. Louis, Cleveland, Indianapolis there has simply been littler reason for urban stores as central city populations are small and people drive more so a store along a major road is better anyway.

Well Walmart sees potential and at least according to one survey cited by the Financial Times, resistance to Walmart stores is waning. The company says that they "have a robust plan to go after (urban markets)" and if you have read much about the five and dime from Bentonville you know that "robust" is not simply a marketing buzz word. If you haven't read anything about Walmart hit "the Google" or take a quick glance at the amount of writing on the subject here.

It would seem that if Walmart were to open a store in New York or Boston that some reasonable urban form would be necessary. Perhaps resistance to new Walmart stores is lessening, but Walmart's desire to be in urban centers has never been greater. If the company is to continue growing there are few options outside urban centers. Retailers such as Walgreens, Trader Joe's and event Target have shown that they will open truly urban stores; multi-level, limited or no-parking outlets. Will Walmart follow?

Thinking of my own St. Louis, I can't imagine that Walmart would sacrifice their established suburban development form to place a store in the city limits. CVS hasn't been made to, nor has anyone else. And there are a number of sites large enough to accommodate a Supercenter.

So will Walmart bend to the urban form in our larger cities, will public resistance prevent them from entering at all and what is in store for cities like St. Louis? Whatever the case, if Walmart is determined to build urban stores you can be sure that it will happen.

The "New I-64" - St. Louis' Rebuilt Urban Interstate - Part I: I-270 to Warson/Clayton Roads

2009-11-02T12:08:00.014-06:00

{image of the "New I-64" project}

After nearly two years, a new I-64 (Highway 40) from I-270 in suburban St. Louis County to Kingshighway in St. Louis City is nearly ready to open. If all goes according to plan and the weather remains favorable opening day may well be before Thanksgiving. I'm going to take a look at the project from west to east and hope that others will add their comments.

First, adding lanes to I-64 from Ballas Road to I-170 was entirely unecessary. A rebuilt roadbed with banked turns and improved interchanges would have greatly improved the road. Afterall, Highway 40 was built as a parkway and any perceived functional issues were the result of the road's history. Ultimately, the well documented problem is that widened highways only relieve congestion if the same number of drivers use it as did before widening. This, however, is not what happens when a highway's capacity is increased.

The only thing achieved by widening this stretch of I-64 is an increased capacity to more cars from I-270 to I-170 at rush hour. With more lanes more people will drive the road in general and those drivers will be more likely to drive at peak traffic times. Leaving the Interstate well under capacity at all other times.

Gridlock did not come to St. Louis when a portion of the Interstate was closed in January 2008 because drivers adjusted their driving. That's what traffic causes us to do. By spending millions to increase capacity MODOT told drivers, "don't worry, drive whenever you want, we'll make room for you."

One thing MODOT did do right at the far western end of this project is build roundabouts both north and south of I-64 just west of Spoede Road to handle traffic from access roads running parallel to the Interstate. Instead of direction all traffic onto Spoede, eastbound traffic on the access roads can now enter I-64 in either direction without ever driving on Spoede.

{the Spoede Road interchange}

The Lindbergh Boulevard exit is a new single-point interchange identical to the ones employed along I-64 at Hampton Avenue and Kingshighway farther east in the City. Sometimes described as an "urban interchange", the new configuration does double-duty, utilizing less land area and proving irony is alive and well. Perhaps it would have been nice to have an enhanced interchange at Warson and Clayton Roads, but there was little chance of that given the cost of land and presence of private homes in the vicinity.

Speaking of which, I suppose it's necessary to address the absence of a MetroLink line as part of this project. Below is an image of the Clayton/Warson interchange and east towards McKnight. As you can see, this is one of the least dense areas of the St. Louis metro area. Who amongst the residents living within this image is going to ride MetroLink? Mass transit requires density. It's not "needed" or "preferred", it's required. Irrespective of mistakes made with the cross-county extension, Metro and others were smart to not place a line here.

{a view of I-64 from Warson/Clayton to near McKnight}

Lastly, regarding the western portion of the "New I-64", aesthetically the project must be considered a failure. Of course in some ways my expectations have been surpassed, but that is only because they were incredibly low to begin with. The marquee road names on the overpasses are nice and large, but look cheap. The vertical lines in the columns and sound walls look cheap as well while the overpass lighting and fencing are improvements while being overwhelmingly bland and placeless. This is no complaint against those who designed them, but more a regret that we do not value the appearance of our public works.

More than any other aspect of the project, the newly installed sound walls make the highway feel different. Gone is the green trees and neighborhoods one used to enjoy that made I-64 a unique and slightly more enjoyable Interstate than others. Residents wanted them and they are now standard procedure so they are not a surprise.

I'll take a look next at the I-170 interchange and surrounding area, including Hanley Road next and then consider the changes wrought by the project east to Kingshighway, as well as what's next. More interchange work looms on the not-to-distant horizon.

(images are courtesy of MODOT)

Additional images below were added 11/3/09 to illustrate residential and employment densities along the I-64 corridor relative to the greater St. Louis region.

{St. Louis population density}

{St. Louis employment density}

New Town or Old Town: What's Next for Suburban Builder Whittaker Homes?

2009-11-01T00:18:00.008-05:00

{images of traditional suburban homes by Whittaker}

The Urban Workshop thinks that October 20, 2009 may be remembered as the day New Urbanism died, symbolically of course. The question in a larger sense is whether or not new New Urbanism communities like New Town at St. Charles will be proposed and built in the future. The term "new urbanism" will certainly live on in some iteration, but greenfield developments like New Town.

Plenty of people disagree and five days after that post here, the Post-Dispatch ran a story titled "Whittaker bankruptcy doesn't signal "new urbanism" faltering, analysts say." The story states that the vision for New Town may be completed as early as 2017 and hopefully not later than 2020. That's a tall order.

New Urbanism always looks good on paper. Twenty thousand residents is enough to support substantial retail, a significant number and variety of restaurants, provide a social scene and so on. Just 2,500 or even 5,000 results in little of that sought after community. The builder will continue to build homes and the Post-Dispatch story quotes Whittaker as saying, "People need to come back in five years and come back in 10 years."

As of September 2009 there were fewer than 1,000 homes and about 2,500 residents in New Town. The original vision called for almost 6,000 homes and 20,000 residents. Whittaker claims that the sales goal per year at New Town was 230 units per year. At that rate it would take 26 years and one month to sell 6,000 homes.

But this post is as much about Whittaker Homes as it is their single largest development, New Town. As it stands Whittaker has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, but continues to plan for the future. The suburban builder of communities like "Stone Meadow" and "Eagle's Landing" is rumored to be set to build in St. Louis itself, according to Jerry Berger. Berger quotes Whittaker's Tim Busse as saying, "We are focusing on construction in or close to St. Louis. The big trend is leading people back to the city."

{images of New Town homes by Whittaker}

Now "the city" means different things to different people and I think we're more likely to see Whittaker build in Maplewood than McKinley Heights, but the fact that Whittaker is thinking about building in a more urban setting is news. A number of factors have led to this, in my opinion. Development has extended far from our urban center and people have fled the city, depressing land costs and inviting some to "leap frog" back to the city. Whittaker is poised to both ride the trend and become a prime trend setter. If you're reading this you're likely well aware of the benefits an urban setting provides, but the arrival of a "traditional" builder can reach a new audience.

Clearly most if not all of what Whittaker (and others of course) has built in traditional suburban developments should not be allowed in the city. However, there's no reason that a home builder cannot build in a suitable form given any particular development criteria. In fact, many of the buildings in New Town would function as quality urban infill. I for one hope that Whittaker brings its knowledge to the city and that its future is more Old Town than New Town.

St. Louis City Board of Aldermen Give NorthSide, Paul McKee Go Ahead to Get Started

2009-10-31T10:11:00.000-05:00

Just in case you haven't seen this somewhere else, the St. Louis City Board of Aldermen granted NorthSide Regeneration, LLC development rights for a significant area of North St. Louis City. The vote empowers McKee to seek $20M in state tax credits before the end of 2009. Any TIF for NorthSide will require the passage of an additional bill.

Antonio French via Twitter said, "McKee bill passed BoA today. Ald. Kennedy and I voted against it because of McKee's treatment of the community. We were the only 2 no votes." Later on KMOX French characterized his vote, and that of Alderman Kennedy, as "symbolic," stating that other companies are buying a large number of lots across North St. Louis and that they should not assume that any development plan will be easily approved.

It's assumed that a TIF bill will come soon and again on KMOX French stated that an initial TIF for $200M would pass easily, unless the City is asked to guarantee the TIF. Any guarantee is seen as unlikely. Past city-backed TIFs have been for a fraction of that and each has left the city on the hook when the development failed to meet expectations.

"Jug Handle" Intersection at Hanley and Eager Roads Opens, Relieves Congestion for 50,000 Motorists

2009-10-30T08:09:00.005-05:00

{a view of the "jug handle" intersection at Hanley and Eager Roads}

For anyone who has sat through multiple light cycles on Eager Road heading east relief is here. MODOT has recently complete what they call a "jug handle" intersection for motorist driving east on Eager Road wanting to turn north on Hanley Road and those driving north on Hanley wishing to turn west onto Eager.

So how does this work? If you're driving east on Eager Road you will take a left exit as you pass Best Buy and pass under Hanley Road, then looping to the right and arriving at Hanley Road from the east. From Hanley Road a driver exits right and loops left, crossing under Hanley and leading to westbound Eager.

{a closer view of the "jug handle" intersection}

According to MODOT this intersection alone carries 10,000 cars a day with 50,000 cars using Hanley Road at this intersection daily. Now, drivers will no longer wait in left-turn lanes or at a light to cross Hanley in order to enter I-64 eastbound. The Post-Dispatch notes that drivers were not immediately using the new intersection and instead continued to attempt to turn left onto the road behind the Best Buy and other retailers, the temporary route employed during construction.

The Post-Dispatch also highlights how constructing the interchange as part of the new I-64 has saved St. Louis County $34M. Now, I'm not sure how in the world this is possible, but County Executive Charlie Dooley is quoted as saying the intersection was thought to cost $40M, but what completed for $5.8M when added to the Instate project. Whatever the real numbers, it appears that this was an opportune time to relieve congestion added to this intersection by shoppers using Eager Road.

Agriburbia: An Awkward Name for an Interesting Idea

2009-10-29T09:00:00.007-05:00

The Denver Post recently covered "agriburbia," basically the integration of agri-business and suburban development. The idea is introduced in three ways: introducing food gardens into yards of less than one acre, utilizing land awaiting the next economic boom and developing "farm-cultured" communities. On the surface this may seem like a "progressive" idea suited only for suburban Denver, Seattle or Portland.

But St. Louis offers many opportunities to bring agriculture close to our homes. Flying into and out of St. Louis on a regular basis I often have an excellent view of suburban agriculture. A wedge of land on the east side of I-170 at the eastern end of Lambert's main runway is being used as an active farm.

{a suburban farm near Lambert Airport}

Whether it be corners of underutilized land near our airport, wedges of land next to an Interstate or vacant lots awaiting development, there is a great opportunity to create sustainable and locally produced food. I would love to see Ballpark Village turned into a farm until the day it's finally developed. What about the Bottle District land? Not to mention hundreds of lots in North St. Louis. Many individuals have begun growing their own urban gardens for fun and food, but a larger effort to coordinate urban and suburban agriculture is needed.

Phoenix's Valley Metro Offers Vision of Urban, At-Grade Light Rail for St. Louis Transit Expansion

2009-10-28T11:14:00.007-05:00

Check out the quick video from StreetFilms and get a glance at the new 20-mile, 28-station Phoenix light rail line. It appears that the line has been incredibly successful right in the heart of one of the most sprawling cities in our nation. Ridership is near 40,000 passengers per day.

To my eye, this is what the Metro West County extension should have looked like, at-grade, easily accessible (and cheaper) stations with tracks running within Forest Park Parkway. Of course the building and engineering of the extension is a controversial issue and has been the subject of many past blog posts.

Perhaps going forward we can look to Phoenix for a model of light rail that would work on major streets within our city. Of course the cars are modern (it's a new line), but they have some features our vehicles lack. Bicycle hooks inside the light rail cars are a nice touch. A north-south line utilizing Grand or Jefferson or Broadway for instance.

There are many options to consider regarding our public transit future, including buses, rapid bus transit and light rail options. To be a supportive and productive part of the conversation we should learn what we can from other cities. Visit Metro's Moving Transit Forward website to become a part of the official conversation.

Forbes Says Retire in St. Louis and Make Your Money Go Further

2009-10-27T13:26:00.002-05:00

{St. Louis ranked fifth, tied with Austin, TX for recession-proof retirement}

It may be a worthwhile effort to pull out all the stops to attract the "creative class", inserting cafes and bistros in every possible nook and cranny, designating more streets as bike routes and trumpeting funky art fests, but what about the aging baby boomers? Why not attract them?

According to Forbes Magazine St. Louis is an ideal place to retire. It's relatively sunny, winters are mild, the local economy is more stable than many trendy retirement locals and most important, housing is extremely affordable. A retiree's savings will simply go further.

While the St. Louis Metro area is challenged with sprawl, there are many communities that offer a comfortable smaller city lifestyle, such as Kirkwood, Manchester, Olivette and others. Parts of the City are wonderful places to retire, the Central West End and Holy Hills come to mind. They are affordable and close to cultural amenities.

Of course it only took two comments following a mention of the Forbes story on the Post-Dispatch website for someone to suggest that retirees would soon be robbed by "thugs" if they decided to live in St. Louis. I suppose that attitudes like that serve to keep housing prices affordable and St. Louis an attractive place to retire.

Call It Chaos, Call It Devine Intervention, Call It a Traffic Miracle: Wankers Corner Gets a Roundabout

2009-10-26T15:06:00.006-05:00

{a roundabout has been built at the intersection of Stafford and Borland Roads - circled above}

Nearly 20,000 vehicles traverse the intersection of Stafford and Borland Roads in suburban Portland each day. Until recently each vehicle would approach the intersection, stop at a red flashing light, look left, look right, look straight ahead and determine whose turn it was to go. As The Oregonian notes, traffic would back up "over the horizon".

Traffic engineers often refer to a roundabout as a way to introduce chaos, forcing a driver to reduce their speed and make decisions. For $4M, Clackamas County removed the stoplights and built a two-lane roundabout. One nearby church led the effort by providing $1.5M of the total cost.

The traffic jams have disappeared. People can get to their work, the saloon, country store or church (and maybe all four) on time. Roundabouts are quite fashionable in the Portland area, and it's not just because they're "progressive". Roundabouts simply make sense. Check out the "Related Content" links for more about this traffic miracle.

STL Today Online Comment Disclaimer Fails, Relies on Commenters' Respect for Their Mothers

2009-10-25T15:35:00.009-05:00

(Please keep it civil. Don't say anything you wouldn't in front of your mother.)

So reads the barely legible disclaimer centered in the comment box on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website STL Today. Now I'm not talking about anyone's mother in particular, but clearly mothers are not holding up their end of the social bargain. Or it's possible that mothers are doing their part, only to be disrespected by their children. Therefore, perhaps the Post-Dispatch would be well-served by dropping their reliance on mothers (or their misbehaving children) and instead actually moderate story comments. Sure, some comments are removed, but given those that are approved I'd venture a guess that to be deleted you must do two of the follow three online sins: directly call someone a profane name, use profanity that cannot be easily substituted with a series of dingbats or talk about someone's mama.

On a more serious note, throughout journalism school we were taught that newspapers serve three general purposes. 1) a business set up to produce revenue by selling advertising. 2) a source of entrainment consumed by readers. 3) a source of honest and enlightening information that seeks to raise the public discourse. If I am to use these three purposes I have to conclude that allowing ridiculous comments to populate nearly every online story is either good for revenue, fun or purposeful. Yet I don't believe it's any of those.

I am not going to copy any STL Today online comments into this post as I do not wish to give them more exposure than they otherwise would receive, but I would invite you take a look yourself if you are interested in this issue. So if you believe, as I do, that the comments are often outrageous, what should be done? The Post-Dispatch should institute robust comment moderation. I call on the Post-Dispatch to self-subscribe to an online comment policy that extends beyond the "mother clause".

May I suggest:
(Please keep it civil. Don't allow any comment you wouldn't print on the front page.)

Arch Grounds Management Plan Finalized: Stage Set for Design Competition, Improved Connectivity

2009-10-24T06:02:00.001-05:00

The documents are extensive and no, I haven't read then through. But the weekend should give me a chance to do so. For everyone's reading enjoyment, below are the management plan introduction, the analysis of potential alternatives for development and the associated tables and images. Whether or not you're an accomplished urban planner or architect (I'm neither) you should lend your voice to the process of redesigning the Arch grounds.

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial General Mangement Plan Introduction

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial General Mangement Plan Redevelopment Alternatives

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial General Mangement Plan Redevelopment Alternatives Tables and Images

Should St. Louis Consider Limiting Chain Stores? Is There a Better Way to Support Local Businesses?

2009-10-22T05:50:00.001-05:00

Should business districts limit the number of national chains that can open? Are local stores and restaurants at a disadvantage? Over the past several years a group named Our City has successfully pushed for limits on new chain stores in San Francisco. As a result, today all chain store applications must be presented to the San Francisco Planning Commission and submitted for public review.

But the San Francisco Business Times is calling the changes a way to "hassle chain stores," and blaming the review process, in part, for increasing retail vacancies. It seems to be that the crux of the issue is this (from the editorial): "While existing retailers can remain, any new vacancies in most San Francisco shopping districts are now off-limits to chain stores if opponents choose to kick up a fuss."

Now longtime Bloomington, Indiana Mayor Mark Kruzan appears ready to limit chain stores from his idyllic southern Indiana college town. I lived in Bloomington from 1996-2004 and the influx of chain stores has largely happened since I moved to St. Louis. When I return (I happen to be back there this weekend) the presence of more and more chain stores is glaring. The town is certainly changing.

Immediately next to the formal entrance to the Indiana University campus at Sample Gates you can find Urban Outfitters, Dunkin Donuts, Noodles & Co. and Panda Express alongside independents such as Nick's English Hut, the Bicycle Garage and Laughing Planet.

Word of Kruzan's intention to address the growing presence of chain stores has brought out the worst of the town and gown split (and some simple ignorance) on the local newspaper's comment board. I don't know if it's consolation or despair I feel, but the crazies are not limited to our own Post-Dispatch.

Of the issue, comments included: "They should be less concerned with chain businesses and more concerned about demolishing local businesses to make wave for more luxury apartments for spoiled ass college students...That is downtown's REAL problem." "There is nothing to go Down Town for any more. Although you could eat out on the sidewalk and swat the flies and watch the rowdy intoxicated students and Detroit hoodlums walk by." In general comments tend to say, "anti-chain store rules are idiotic, but it doesn't matter because no chain is going to locate downtown because there's no parking, and students are destroying downtown".

It appears that any ordinance proposed in the future would be limited to the main commercial strip connecting the university to the courthouse square and the square itself. This is a relatively small area, perhaps the size of the Delmar Loop. And for anyone who has not been to Bloomington, rest assured, you can find any and all chain stores you desire. The issue has gained relevance as several high-profile lots are being developed has luxury apartments with chain store retail at ground level.

Of course there's a flip side to this issue as well. Local retailers, boutiques and independent restaurants likely cannot serve all residents. It's wonderful to have $25 parmesan cheese available in the city, but what about those who want Provel? This is especially true with clothing. The recent rumor of an Old Navy opening in downtown St. Louis would be a welcome trend in this way.

The issue isn't simple. We enjoy our St. Louis Bread Company, but now it's a corporate behemoth. Once upon a time the California Pizza Kitchen was the model of a neighborhood start up. Would you welcome a Peet's, but not a Starbuck's? The Foot Locker and Blockbuster stores in the Delmar Loop just recently closed and their departure is being lamented by some who enjoyed their convenience and those who simply had become used to them.

So where do you stand on anti-chain store efforts? Should the Delmar Loop limit the number of chain stores? What about revitalizing commercial strips such as The Grove or Morganford? Is it enough to limit signage or require a particular design? Is the issue aesthetic? And what about franchises owned by locals?

Next Step for NorthSide: Plan to be Considered by Aldermanic Development Subcommittee

2009-10-21T15:23:00.006-05:00

{a view of vacant land (orange) and vacant buildings (red) across a portion of the NorthSide Project area}

The St. Louis City Board of Aldermen's Housing, Urban Development and Zoning subcommittee is set to vote up or down the NorthSide Redevelopment Plan tomorrow (Thursday, October 22) at 10:00 a.m. To be discussed are the $200M TIF for phases one and two (the 21st Street interchange and the new Mississippi River Bridge landing) and the Redevelopment Agreement itself. TIF money for phases three and four, as well as any possible city-backed TIF will be considered at a future date.

The subcommittee's consideration happens under the somewhat non-threatening cloud of a lawsuit aiming to stop the NorthSide plan all together. Among other complaints, some argue that TIF and historic tax credits violate the Missouri State Constitution by benefiting a private developer and (presumably) not serving the public good.

For now, I'm going to say that the lawsuit and other efforts will come to nothing and perhaps even prevent any meaningful change in the bill(s) itself. As articulated at Eco-Absence, now is the time to add to or change the bill. So leave your comments at Eco-Absence and help make the bill better.

The full documents being considered are below. Of particular interest may be the Blighted Area Analysis, a document I had not seen until recently.

NorthSide Blighted Area Analysis

NorthSide TIF Redevelopment Plan

NorthSide Regeneration, LLC Redevelopment Agreement

Your Help Is Needed to Improve Downtown St. Louis Streets: Join the Walk Audit This Friday

2009-10-21T13:17:00.004-05:00

Not much to add here, other than that this is a great opportunity to make a difference in our city. Activities such as this constitute the vital and necessary work that must come before the "real" improvements, things the casual observer can see, can occur. The RSVP deadline is today so shoot Partice an e-mail or call now!
Downtown STL Walk Audit

The White City: Is St. Louis Too Black to Ever Be Considered "Progressive"?

2009-10-21T06:07:00.003-05:00

{a view of "progressive" Portland, OR}

On the website New Geography, Aaron Renn (aka the Urbanophile) has an article titled "The White City." Renn looks at the metro area core county population of African Americans and asks whether the term "progressive" as used to describe such cities as Austin, TX, Portland, OR, Minneapolis, MN and others is synonym for "white".

Among other things, Renn simply shows that the core county population of places such as Cleveland, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville and Kansas City have a much higher percentage of African American residents, well above the national average, than the aforementioned "progressive" cities. Without judging the validity of his argument, the idea introduces very relevant, interesting issues.

To re-frame the question: Why are some cities considered "progressive" while others are not? No definition will satisfy all, but if we define a "progressive city" as a city with more bike lanes than other cities, more comprehensive recycling programs, extensive transit options, pro-density policy, more awareness and protection of greenspace, cleaner and safe, we can begin to understand why some cities make the cut and others do not.

I do not think it's accurate to view "progressive" versus non-progressive cities as black versus white, but rather has homogeneous cities versus heterogeneous cities, especially in terms of economic segregation. What I do think is likely accurate is that homogeneity can help pass legislation. It's easier to agree on policy. Others will never see a place like St. Louis as "progressive" because we are not proactive policy actors. What we do typically follows policy in other cities and is rarely implemented to affect the entire region.

Another way to think about the issue is to consider what our region may be able to accomplish without race being such a divisive issue. If the city were 80% middle class (and the reality is that in St. Louis this means "white") you can bet that there would be city-wide historic preservation review. There would be more bike lanes too. And in the end what is typically labeled a "progressive" city is what "progressives" admire; mass transit, bicycles, sustainability etc. and some cities may be better able to implement such policies.

As a region we have twice failed to support public transit. The 90+ municipalities in St. Louis County are not in a hurry to give up their inefficient independence and fewer still want to meld with St. Louis City. A significant part of the history of our fragmentation is based on race. And here Renn's observations offer some food for thought.

Regardless, shouldn't spend much time seeking a "progressive" label, but instead work to create a government and community that serves those who live here. If there's an answer to the question in the headline it is: "St. Louis is too fragmented to ever be considered "progressive".

The Day New Urbanism Died? New Town St. Charles Homebuilder Files for Bankruptcy

2009-10-20T08:51:00.008-05:00

I would not presume that the bankruptcy filing by Whittaker Homes of St. Charles spells the end of New Urbanism. But the particular type of New Urbanism celebrated by Whittaker is very likely a thing of the past. A new stand-alone town in the middle of a field, several miles from any established retail or other amenities and more than 30 minutes from the region's largest job center is destined to fail.

It may be trendy to dump on this type of New Urbanism, as has been done on this site and others. In a previous post, "New Town St. Charles: Your future is here (it's ugly)", I spelled out why the future of places like New Town are so bleak and and how New Urbanism has disappointed. Commercial success perhaps shouldn't be the hallmark of a neighborhood or community, such things do naturally come and go, and the financial current financial crisis has hit homebuilders of all types hard, but I believe that New Town at St. Charles was especially vulnerable because of its particular failings.

New Town will not disappear, plenty of people are happy to live there, but its promise is gone. It's become just another suburban enclave and will face the same challenges as other suburban developments; lack of retail, long commutes, etc. While the website still mentions the bringing restored streetcars to New Town, this, and the possibility of adding other amenities is now even more remote.

Whittaker claims that they are still selling homes, though they offer no specific number for New Town. A quick MLS search shows at least 27 homes for sale in New Town. Another search shows more than 220 homes sold in the past two years, but only 16 of those in the past 12 months.

To even have a chance at fulfilling its promise as a New Urbansim development, New Town needs to double in size (and many problems would still exist). This was/is part of the plan. A critical mass of individuals is needed to support retail and recreational activities and the current number of residents is clearly not enough. The bankruptcy filing of Whittaker Builders, Inc. is just the latest sign that this promise will not be fulfilled.

Postmodern architectural historian Charles Jencks proclaimed the demolition of the Pruitt-Igoe public housing project as "the day Modern architecture died." Today it's difficult to imagine another development like New Town being built. Perhaps, the day Whittaker filed for bankruptcy will one day be recognized as the day New Urbanism died and St. Louis will once again be a hallmark for urban and new urban development.

On a side note, a spokesperson for Whittaker commented briefly on the bankruptcy filing on St. Louis Public Radio. He stated that the bankruptcy filing would serve to protect Whittaker's assets and was necessary because the home builder was dealing with an increasingly uncooperative bank. Funny how banks get increasingly uncooperative when you don't pay them.

South Grand Traffic Lane Reduction Experiment Likely to Stay Until Permanent Work Begins

2009-10-19T11:42:00.007-05:00

If you’ve been following the Urban Workshop you know that East-West Gateway has led an effort to transform South Grand Avenue from Arsenal to Utah. Public workshops were held and residents in the area loudly stated their desire for a more pedestrian-friendly South Grand. A 30-day test lane reduction began September 8 and remains in place.

The test barricades and re-striped traffic lanes have been so successful in creating a better pedestrian environment that they will likely remain in place until work is started next summer. This success, defined by East-West Gateway partially as the ability to maintain traffic flow while also enhancing the pedestrian experience took some by surprise.

The most interesting idea to come from the experiment has been raised by Rick Bonasch at STL Rising In part, Rick states, "The concrete barriers and restriping create an immediate, noticeable change. It makes a statement: "We're gonna do something to clam traffic around here, and we're gonna do it now. We're not waiting for millions of dollars from somewhere else, we can do this now." Why not do as Rick suggests? Not every street in St. Louis is going to get $2.7M in stimulus funding. Our city is oh-so-fond of using highway barricades and sewer planters to close streets, so why not use them in this way too?

Now The Architects Newspaper (a trade publication for "architects, designers, engineers, landscape architects, lighting designers, interior designers, academics, developers, contractors, and other parties interested in the built urban environment") has the story about improvements on South Grand and staying power of the experiment. The full story can be read here. The bold text below is my own emphasis.

“The overall notion of the ‘Great Streets’ project is to use these sites as demonstration projects to illustrate the concept of ‘complete streets,’” said Kurt Culbertson of Design Workshop in Aspen, Colorado and principal landscape architect for two of the four projects.

The new design reduces four traffic lanes to three, changes the timing of traffic lights, adds curb “bulb-outs” to reduce the amount of yardage pedestrians need to cross from 56 to 40 feet, and increases lighting and landscaping. About $2.7 million in federal stimulus funds have been awarded for the work.

....

South Grand, the test site, is a busy street lined with restaurants and shops. But traffic, signage, and aging infrastructure are a problem. Drivers routinely speed, and the street saw 80 accidents and one pedestrian death in the first eight months of 2009...

Alderman Steve Conway, whose ward is on the east side of the street, said the results of the mock test have been positive, with public feedback about ten-to-one in favor. “I was concerned about getting 25,000 cars a day through at Grand and Arsenal,” he said. “And now, we’re getting the cars through, and we’ve slowed the traffic.”

One of the problems is that commuters tend to use Grand as a thoroughfare rather than a destination, said Terry Freeland, manager of corridor studies for East-West Gateway. “Is it to serve the neighborhoods and the businesses, or is it to help people get through the area as quickly as possible?” Freeland said. “The idea here is to try to balance those two needs.”

The four Great Streets projects include South Grand, Natural Bridge, Front Street in Labadie and Manchester Road in west St. Louis County. I'm not sure why a landscape architect from Aspen, CO is being used on this project, and another, instead of a local firm. That's not to say anything about the work being done on this project, but the stated goal of the Great Streets Initiative is to "trigger economic and social benefits for communities by centering them around interesting, lively and attractive streets that serve all modes of transportation." Wouldn't contracting with a local firm have helped trigger economic benefit for our community?

{a view of the test barricades on South Grand}