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Metropolitan Taxicab Commission Not Forced to Provide Taxi Stand on Sidewalk at Convention Center

October 28, 2007 Downtown, Politics/Policy 16 Comments

IMG_9793.JPGFor nearly a year now I have been trying to get the taxi stand, located literally in the pedestrian sidewalk area of Washington Ave, removed (see July post). To me a taxi stand directly in the path of pedestrians is careless and opens the city up to a major liability should someone be injured or killed by an exiting taxi.

The official line from the taxi commission is that they don’t control municipal rights of way. True enough, placing a taxi stand on private property is likely much easier than in the public right of way —- be it the street or sidewalk. Within the public right of way, the city must agree to the location. The Metropolitan St. Louis Taxicab Commission includes both the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County.

The relevant section of the Missouri statues relative to the taxicab commission is:

The provisions of this section notwithstanding, existing municipal regulations relating to taxicab curb locations and curb fees as well as local business licenses which do not seek to regulate taxicab use shall not be preempted by the taxicab code except by agreement between the commission and applicable municipality.

So while the taxicab commission is correct that they do not have the authority to place a stand on a municipal right of way without that city giving it’s approval, it is also correct that a municipality cannot force the Metropolitan Taxi Commission to place a taxi stand in a dangerous location — such as an active sidewalk location used by pedestrians. In fact, a municipality cannot force the taxicab commission to place a stand where they do not wish to. This, in my estimation, would make the members of the Taxicab Commission equally liable for such decision to put a taxi stand within a sidewalk location. The commissioners cannot simply pass the buck to the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Bureau (that operates the convention center) and the City of St. Louis.

The next public meeting of the Metropolitan St. Louis Taxicab Commission is Wednesday October 31, 2007 at 9am in the auditorium at 100 North Tucker. If you think the commissioners should consider removing this stand please email them at complaint@stl-taxi.com. You can call them at (314) 241-7600 [or toll free at (877) 785-8294]. And finally you can contact them via fax at (314) 241-7603.  Correspondence should be firm but polite and directed to either Chairman Lou Hamilton or director D. Michael Tully.
Others to contact include:

  • Jim Cloar of the Downtown St. Louis Partnership:  jcloar@downtownstl.org; (314) 436-6500 x224; or fax (314) 436-1646
  • Kathleen Ratcliffe of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission: kratcliffe@explorestlouis.com; (314) 992-0604; or Toll-Free: (800) 325-7962; or via fax (314) 421-0039.
  • Kathy Hale of the Mayor’s office: halek@stlouiscity.com
  • Ald. Phyllis Young; via email; (314) 622-3287; or fax (314) 622-4273
  • Director of Streets, Todd Waelterman; via email waeltermannt@stlouiscity.com; (314) 647-3111; or fax (314) 768-2888

Visitors to St. Louis should not be forced to walk around taxi cabs or have them driving toward them on the sidewalk as they exit their sidewalk-based location.  Pedestrians should not be subject to this danger simply because the city refuses to give up a lane of the street for the convention center refuses to give up a portion of the circle drive in front of the convention center out of the path of pedestrians. While the taxicab commission cannot legally place a stand elsewhere they are not forced to provide the existing stand — they can legally remove it.

 

Currently there are "16 comments" on this Article:

  1. equals42 says:
    October 29, 2007 at 12:44 am

    I find it strange that the taxi stand is not across the street anyway. Only a few taxis fit onto the area in front of the Convention Center. The rest park across the street along 7th street whether legal or not. When I lived a few blocks from there, I commonly grabbed a taxi from 7th street when I needed one and (wrongly) assumed that was a taxi stand.

     
  2. Jim Zavist says:
    October 29, 2007 at 7:00 am

    This sounds more and more like a clash of egos . . . the current “solution”, while truly inelegant, is apparently not unsafe (in reality). The curious part of the whole dynamic is why parking/standing/loading is actually being “permitted” on what is (or looks and acts like) a public sidewalk on a regular basis . . . I doubt I could park my car over the public sidewalk on a regular basis just because my driveway doesn’t have any more room . . .

    [SLP — Just because nobody has been hit or killed doesn’t make the situation safe — just lucky.  The cabs drive the entire length of the sidewalk from driveway to driveway — forcing pedestrians to get out of their way.  Visitors are not expecting a vehicle coming toward them in their path.  Interestingly, many pedestrians get out of the way by moving into the convention center’s circle drive — just as bad or worse.]

     
  3. northside neighbor says:
    October 29, 2007 at 7:50 am

    What concerns me is how thes cab drivers make a living. It seems like they are lined up for hours waiting for a fare. Whether it’s across from the Adam’s Mark, or out in que by the airport, there never seems to be anybody getting in a cab. These guys must be working for next to nothing.

     
  4. Lou Hamilton says:
    October 29, 2007 at 8:14 am

    Mr. Patterson, what you keep missing is that the Metropolitan Taxi Commission does not now, nor has it ever, had the authority to designate the location of taxicab stands within the boundaries of ANY municipality. State Law is clear. We can make recommendations, and offer our opinions, on such locations – which we have done in many situations, but the COmmission can neither designate, establish or remove a taxi stand. That power, under state law, is granted solely to municipal government.

    Case in point, the renovations underway at the Ballpark Hilton have caused a relocation of the long established taxi stand along the eastbound lanes of Market Street at Broadway. A proposal by the hotel would have permanently moved the taxis to the southbound lanes of Broadway, about a block or two north of the Hotel.

    The Commission did not believe that such a move would benefit the public, and in fact would present both logistical and safety issues in the long term. Accordingly, MTC succeeded in convincing the City’s Board of Public Servce and Streets Department that the Hotel proposal should be denied.

    As a result, an agreement was reached for the temporary relocation of the taxi stand during construction, and its re-establishment at the same location when the site work was completed.

    We had no statutory authority to stop or deny the hotel’s proposal, but were able to convince the city that it would not be beneficial to anyone but the hotel.

    With regard to the America’s Center issue, we have strongly recommended that the CIty consider alternatives, but to-date, traffic engineers have come up short in finding a solution that would not impede the flow of traffic on Washington Avenue, which would be the result of designating a taxi stand in one of the eastbound lanes.

    MTC has been proactive in working with the City of Saint Louis to expand the number of taxi stands, and is in fact working with the City that in planning for such new developments as Ball Park Village and the new Centene corporate facilities, that provisions for taxi stands are incorporated.

    Such was the case at Busch Stadium, where no such provision was included in the new Ball Park construction. The City, Saint Louis Cardinals, and the Westin Hotel agreed that a taxi stand was important, and as a result certain meters along the south side of the Westin Hotel and across the street from the Ball Park are designated as taxi only parking on event days.

    But again, our influence in these decisions is advisory only. Fortunately, the City’s Board of Public Service and Streets Department have been eager to include our recommendations in their deliberations on most of these locations, and together with the Downtown Saint Louis Partnership, are now much more attuned to the logic of providing additional stands for the taxi’s downtown.

    Lou Hamilton

    [SLP —- Geez, I get it.  I clearly stated that you could not put a taxi stand in locations without the city’s approval.  But what you all seem to fail to understand is that as long as the stand remains on the public sidewalk — in the direct path of pedestrians — it presents a very clear danger.  Furthermore, I don’t think anyone from the city is forcing you to have a taxi stand at that location — you and others have agreed to have the stand on the sidewalk where pedestrians are forced to get out of the way of the taxis.  Remove it completely!!!!  Show me the state law that prevents you from removing a stand without the approval of the local municipality?  Yeah, I thought so.  As long as the stand remains in place there is no motivation on the part of the city, downtown partnership or the CVC to do anything differently.  I’ve reviewed your minutes from this entire year and I didn’t see it noted in discussion anywhere — once again an important issue is getting the brush off.] 

     
  5. Lou Hamilton says:
    October 29, 2007 at 8:48 am

    Mr. Patterson,

    what you cant seem to get…or perhaps it’s because you dont want to get — is that the sole authority for managing curb space, for taxicabs or delivery vehicles, or anything else for that matter, is with the local municipality – in this case, the City of Saint Louis.

    We can designate all we want, but it doesnt mean squat from a legal perspective. The City alone can establish, remove, relocate, modify or eliminate such use on its own authority.

    We didnt put the stand there, the City did. We can’t take it out, only the City can. We have found the city to be cooperative on these issues as we have gotten into them, but as long as the city has designated this spot as a taxi stand, that’s what it is going to be.

    Instead of finger pointing, why dont you use your considerable (albeit self-proclaimed) planning skills to offer some alternative suggestions, something practical and effective, that will also take into account the potential congestion issues on Washington Avenue that would come with relocating the stand to the otherwise logical location adjacent to the front entrance of the hotel?

    Or is it this another instance in which your solution would be to eliminate all cars and force people to walk for their own health? Or should be eliminate all taxi stands and replace them with bicycle racks? Talk about a nanny-state mentality.

    Planning professionals are supposed to view things in perspective, and at least attempt to accomodate diversity and use. As you have correctly, though often in-elegantly, pointed out in a number of other situations, such planning does not always produce a final product that meets such a practical end, but perhaps a more collaborative approach, and a few less molotov cocktails, you might even get someone to listen to you. I have — bet that surprises you doesn’t it? I dont much care for vituperative manner, but indeed do recognize that some of what you offer is substantive.

    As is the case so often in life, human nature tends to respond to civility far more frequently than belligerence.

    [SLP — Congestion on Washington Ave?  What congestion?  There is no congestion.  Sure, for about a half hour in the afternoon there is a line of cars heading eastbound  —- due to the poor timing of traffic signals.  Westbound, however, there is no congestion.  Plus, I love the argument that it is OK to place a taxi stand in the path of pedestrians so as not to inconvenience motorists for a few seconds.  

    If you guys are so powerless, as you indicate, to add or remove a stand you can at least suggest to the city it be removed.  None of your minutes indicate this issue has even been discussed by the full commission.  As I have previously written the choices are simple — do nothing and continue to place pedestrians in the pathway of two ton moving vehicles, place the stand on the outside westbound lane of Washington Ave or move the stand to the circle driveway of the convention center.]

     
  6. Tom Shrout says:
    October 29, 2007 at 8:56 am

    Kathy Hale, retired in August. She married Bob Archibald. Tim Embree is handling transportation matters for the Mayor’s office.

    [SLP — Thanks.  People can contact the Mayor’s office here.]

     
  7. Nick Kasoff says:
    October 29, 2007 at 11:44 am

    I can’t imagine that the brilliant people who designed our new convention center didn’t have a better place in mind for the taxi stand. Could we stop bickering and just get it done?

     
  8. Thor Randolphson says:
    October 29, 2007 at 1:35 pm

    Sad and funny all at once.

    Here is a crazy idea in this battle of egos. Sit down and talk it out, because if both of you are being truthful, then both are attempting to achieve the same thing, removal of the stand, and there is no reason that both the Taxi Commission and Steve cannot be working together to resolve this issue.

    Mr. Hamilton, if you have suggested to the City that the stand be moved, then work with Steve to come up with alternate solutions and officially recommend them to the City for action.

    Steve, if Mr. Hamilton is attempting to resolve the situation, then you should be offering to help him, work with him to strengthen your persuasive powers and get the problem resolved.

    [SLP — I’ve made attempts since May to get a group of decision makers together to discuss the issue and find a resolution.  Most confess to the poor situation but none seemed willing to hold a meeting on the subject.  I’m open to a working meeting to seeks solutions.  I’d like the Taxicab commission to pass a resolution calling on the city to remove or relocate the offending taxi stand,  Until they go on record opposing the stand I believe they are as guilty as anyone else.]  

     
  9. Lou Hamilton says:
    October 29, 2007 at 2:46 pm

    Kudos, as they say, to you Mr. Randolphson, for your suggestion. I would be more than happy – well, maybe happy isnt the best word, perhaps willing is more accurate – to meet with Mr. Patterson and talk about ways in which we could collaborate on solutions for this stand. Steve has already posted information about our next MTC meeting (Wednesday, OCtober 31) at the offices of the Commission @ 100 N. Tucker Boulevard. Perhaps if he is planning to attend, we can compare calendars and set a date to get together. If that isnt in his plan, I believe he has my email address from my postings, and can email me directly with some dates that might be convenient for him.

    I am completely open to ideas about how to do this better…as is the commission. I wont commit to agreeing with everything he may bring to the table, nor do I expect him to do so with me, but stranger things have happened in politics and public affairs.

    I’m almost always accesible. He has just never called.

    [SLP — I’ve suggested meetings before with the staff of the taxi commission as well as representatives from the city, downtown partnership and the CVC.  While I have plenty of responses agreeing the stand is an issue, nobody seemed willing to meet.  Furthermore, I left a voice mail for Mr. Hamilton on saturday (the number listed with the ethics commission) in an attempt to confirm that the comments were indeed by Mr. Hamilton and not someone pretending to be him.  I’ve never received a call back.]

     
  10. Lou Hamilton says:
    October 29, 2007 at 3:12 pm

    Curiously, when I checked with the Director of the MTC, he recalls having received some communications from MR. Patterson regarding the America’s Center taxi stand, and subsequently met with A/C Director Bruce Sommer and representatives of Metro to discuss options for improving the existing location. What came from those meetings was an understanding of the practical difficulties of relocating the stand, and at least an interim solution of providing barriers between the taxi’s and the sidewalk (read planters) which America’s Center installed. Not perfect, to be sure, but some movement.

    Having said that, the Director tells me that at no time during that process did Mr. Patterson request a meeting, suggest a meeting or even demand a meeting. Director Tully is pretty accessible too, so it seems odd that Steve would maintain that no-one seemed willing to meet.

    Want and will are two different things. In either case, if he had extended the simple courtesy of a request to meet, it most certainly would have been accomodated.

    As to my lack of response to Steve’s call to verify my postings, there was no request to meet. It was my assumption that because he continued to publish my postings to his site, and also, because I know he checks the source of postings, that he had verified their authenticity.

    I also have a few more important commitments to my family on the weekends that take precedence over doing Mr. Patterson’s bidding.

    If you want to meet me, or any of our staff at the Taxi Commission to discuss your ideas it’s easy. ASK. But for Pete’s sake, quit bitching that people wont meet with you.

     
  11. equals42 says:
    October 29, 2007 at 3:42 pm

    Could we perhaps elevate the level of discussion here? Steve and the presumed Mr Hamilton would both be given detention were they the age their posts would indicate. Dialog and diatribe are not synonyms gentlemen. It is clear that both sides have a different recollection of what has transpired previously. Put that aside for the good of all involved and sit down to lunch. This sniping reflects badly on you both.

    Mr Hamilton has shown a willingness to work on this issue. I look forward to word of progress on this simple issue in the weeks to come. In the meantime, if Mr Hamilton could get to work fixing niggling taxi issues I have:
    *increasing the number of towncars available
    *why does one company get exclusive rights to the airport. They suck. I started using towncars because I was tired of almost being killed by illiterate maniacs in cars with balding tires.
    *banishing the silly gas surcharges that have been in effect for years now. [PS. Gas prices aren’t going down to $1.50 levels anytime soon. Just raise the trip cost a penny per mile or so and get on with life.]
    *Seattle and other cities have large fleets of natural gas taxis, why can’t we? Makes the city look progressive.
    *Just a last favor: tell the airport commission that when they’re finally done with the parking garage they need to start over — it is still an unforgivable mess.

    Now I feel better. Thanks!

    [SLP — Agreed, well on the discussion part.  I emailed Mr. Hamilton after he indicated he was open to such.  Can’t say that I like to see more town cars around though.  A town car can get balding tires just the same as a crown vic.  We need some Prius’ as taxi cabs.  I can’t say I’ve paid much attention to the cabs at the airport — I will check it out this week when I am there.]

     
  12. Michael Allen says:
    October 29, 2007 at 4:25 pm

    Solution: Turn the outer lanes on Washington into parking lanes from 10th to Broadway. Make the section in front of America’s Center taxicab-only. We are going to need to introduce short-term parking on this stretch of Washington to help the future businesses in Pyramid’s Mercantile Exchange project. Washington east of 10th is a pedestrian-unfriendly space, creating an unpleasant contrast with the better blocks westward. Washington here is rarely congested, possibly because of the lack of businesses in this stretch. The need for parking and the taxi situation can be resolved together. However, as Hamilton points out, this requires actions by city government.

     
  13. Thor Randolphson says:
    October 29, 2007 at 8:09 pm

    Michael, that is a great idea and hopefully Mr. Hamilton and Steve can work together to make it happen.

    [SLP — Yes, thanks Michael for reaffirming what I have been saying for a while now about parking on Washington Ave. Check out my post from February 2006 which references prior posts dating back to December 2004.  In late December 04 — nearly 3 years ago, I wrote: “On-street parking should be immediately added to Washington Avenue from Tucker all the way East to Eads Bridge – in front of every building including the Convention Center and the Convention Hotel. If it were up to me we’d have on-street parking on every street in the region.” ]

     
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