Delmar Improvements Narrows Roadbed, Adds Street Trees, Improves Accessibility
The stretch of Delmar between Kingshighway and Skinker just went on a diet – a road diet. A new center median consumes a large portion of the formerly too wide roadway. The median along with street trees at regular intervals really transforms the street.
My post yesterday on The Ville and new sidewalks on MLK was critical of the fact that new street trees were not added on what is certainly an important arterial road in North St Louis. On Delmar the conditions are similar – major arterial with large vacant lots adjacent to the street. Yet on Delmar the design is vastly superior to that of MLK in The Ville.
I’m not a fan of medians – but they are cheaper than the streetcars I’d prefer in the same space. If the medians are maintained they look great. But not all the medians in the city are equally cared for. Still, it is this type of infrastructure investment that can help boost private investment in the area.
Reducing the amount of paving makes a huge difference. I would have liked to have seen some curb bulb outs to prevent someone from using the parking lane as a driving lane. At the very least the city should come back and paint a solid while line between the parking lane and the right driving lane.
Only time will tell if the trees survive and if this helps bring new investment to fill in the gaps.
You’re right, they did a pretty good job on this one.
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That ADA ramp may look like “overkill”, but my guess is it’s what’s technically required because the sidewalk/curb heright exceeds what is allowed for a “curb ramp”, or a curb ramp would have intruded too far across the width of the sidewalk, and a linear ramp was required and provided. Interesting, however, that they missed the requirement for a lower bar: “405.9.2 Curb or Barrier. A curb or barrier shall be provided that prevents the passage of a 4 inch (100 mm) diameter sphere, where any portion of the sphere is within 4 inches (100 mm) of the finish floor or ground surface.” (To keep wheel chairs or walkers from slipping off the top landing.)
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The other challenge here will be simply maintaining the railing – it’s close to the street, so it’s a likely to be a victim of hit-and-run abuse – I’d give it less than a year before all or part of it gets removed. Much like the street trees, it’s easier to do things right as a part of a larger contract. The real trick, both here and elsewhere in the city, is maintaining the original investment. Without adequate funding and consistent pressure from interested parties, it’s always easier just to take out any damaged “amenities” than it is to replace them in a year or two or five.
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Easier, but not right – it’s all these missing parts and pieces that contribute to the appearance that the/an area is distressed and not a good place to (re)invest. Like I’ve said before, it’s always easier to convince a politician to spend money on something where there will be a ribbon cutting involved; it’s a whole lot harder to convince them to invest in more mundane maintenance issues, where ther’e little “glory” involved . . .
Those railing may look like overkill, and not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but I’m sure the users really appreciate it. Railings can really make navigating an area much easier for the aged or not fully-abled, as I’m sure you’ve unfortunately had to discover.
Lyda Krewson and Terry Kennedy worked very hard to make this happen and deserve the credit for this. This stretch of Delmar needed a lot of work!
That’s a nice looking cattle gate. Sure hope I don’t get stuck behind the herd when the rustlers drive them up to Montana…
Seriously, though, if that marvel of engineering is actually required, invest in some ornamental iron work. Function and form can mesh rather easily in this scenario. There are plenty of craftsmen in the city that could have spruced that mess up. Imagine that, putting construction dollars back into the community AND not having an ungodly eyesore clogging up the sidewalk. What a concept!
Right on CWEGuy I remember what that strip looked like as far back as 1977…yes it does need a lot of work…but it has come a long way. I have been told that one of the reasons that area has at least stabilized is that liquor licenses were pulled from establishments that dotted that area
I agree it is much better but having the curb bump outs would really make the intersections better looking and safer.
a better way: http://failblog.org/page/28/ (second entry)
They’re installing similar ramps to the ones shown here on the north side of the Forest Park & Debaliviere intersection next to the MetroLink station. Before they ripped them out, the curb ramps from the bridge to the street had a ridiculously steep slope, botched during Cross County MetroLink construction.