Tower Grove Heights & Gravois Park Residents Share Common Ground

Tonight’s Tower Grove Heights meeting included a few people from outside the neighborhood, three Gravois Park residents and myself. We came to the TGH meeting to discuss the proposed relocation of the McDonald’s on Grand. Jennifer Florida was not present but we did have a chance to speak with President of the Board of Aldermen, Jim Shrewsbury, before the meeting.

It seems that nearly everyone was already aware of the controversy. Most seemed willing to help the cause by contacting Jennifer Florida and Mayor Slay. News to them was that Grand from Utah to Meramec was blighted back in 1996. Concerned about the prospect of a future relocation of say the Taco Bell or KFC closer to Utah they understood the concerns of the Gravois Park residents.

Following the meeting it was discussed how it would be good for the various neighborhoods adjacent to Grand to begin discussing the future of the street, what everyone would like to see happen and, just as important, what they’d like to keep from happening. Look for future discussions among all those that have an interest in the future of Grand. It would be great if The Lawrence Group, architect/developer of the South Side National Bank property at Grand & Gravois, could assist in this community planning process.

Getting Dutchtown and Benton Park West to join Gravois Park and Tower Grove South in the dialog will go a long way to setting a vision for Grand.

– Steve