Looking west toward the Union Station MetroLink Station from 16th & Clark. The offices on the left aren’t oriented to transit, just adjacent.The only thing at the North Hanley station is 1,583 parking spaces (926 surface, 657 in garage)Not much exists around the Wellston Station, the jobs center in the background is hard to reach on foot, easy by car though
The poll this week lists many possible reasons why development hasn’t happened around the stations, you can pick up to 3. The choices are presented in random order.
On July 31st, MetroLink’s 20th anniversary, I’ll share my thoughts on why development hasn’t happened and what we need to do so the next 20 years are more productive.
Last Sunday a couple hundred people showed up at the St. Louis Justice Center to rally against the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the February 26, 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
St. Louisans gathered peacefully outside the Justice Center on Sunday July 14th
Across the country today more demonstrations will be held at federal courthouses. “The St. Louis gathering will take place at 12 noon at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse (111 South 10th Street St. Louis, MO 63102).” (source)
I’m not going to say anything else, I just ask that commenters be respectful to others.
Personal mobility is important in society, but I can’t imagine limiting myself to just one mode. Within the last year I’ve used every mode visible in the following image:
Amtrak platforms behind the MetroLink light rail
I count four modes above:
Amtrak passenger rail? Yes.
Greyhound bus? Yes.
Public transit via light rail? Yes.
Private auto on highways? Yes.
Each has it’s place, I generally use public transit or, lately, ride with my boyfriend in his car. In a couple of weeks we’re renting and car for a weekend trip. I’m itching to take Amtrak again soon, perhaps to Kansas City? Maybe mono-mode (car) is perfect for you, I couldn’t possibly know. For me though, I did the car-only thing for many years without any consideration of other choices. The car culture had a grip on me, I was afraid to let it go.
Now it’s habit to think about the various modes available when planning every trip, whether to Target or out of town. How much thought do you give to your mode of travel?
The two streets on either side of Washington Ave are basically named alleys: St. Charles St (south) and Lucas Ave (north). These may have had active businesses fronting onto them decades ago, but not so much anymore.
Alpha Brewing Co. on Lucas Ave between 14th-15th is making the back of a Washington Ave building lively.
Alpha Brewing Co doesn’t look like much when closed.The doors roll up when they open, changing the feel the streetThe patio and recessed glass wall are invitingThe patio space as seen from inside
Kudos to Alpha Brewing Co for a well-designed space that makes a positive contribution to an otherwise dreary road. If you visit just ignore the trash dumpsters behind adjacent buildings.
The poll last week had two related questions, basically how you’d expand the proposed streetcar through north & south city, respectively.
North:
Poll #1/2: From the options below, select how you’d extend the proposed streetcar line further into north city from N. Florissant & St. Louis Ave:
N. Florissant>Natural Bridge>UMSL South MetroLink Station 14 [26.42%]
None, I’d prefer light rail over modern streetcar 8 [15.09%]
None of the above, don’t extend at all 7 [13.21%]
Better to expand north from Lindell @ Taylor 7 [13.21%]
Cass>MLK/St. Charles Rock Rd>St. Charles Rock Rd MetroLink Station 4 [7.55%]
Unsure/No Answer 4 [7.55%]
None, I’d take a route not listed 3 [5.66%]
Won’t be anything to extend 3 [5.66%]
St. Louis Ave>Goodfellow 2 [3.77%]
N. Florissant>Goodfellow 1 [1.89%]
The option that was, at least partially, selected for a north extension of our light rail received the highest number of votes, though hardly a consensus. In that plan the light rail turned north at Goodfellow, whereas I proposed continuing west to UMSL. This would be about a 7 mile extension, perhaps built in 1-3 phases. Natural Bridge is excessively wide so the streetcar could run in a median, just as was planned with the light rail. Nearly the entire route is suitable for densification without displacement. This could bring much needed jobs as well as new housing options.
Looking east on Natural Bridge at Newstead, March 2012
This alignment would replace the current #4 (Natural Bridge) MetroBus route. Current frequencies range from 27 minutes to one hour, depending upon the time of day.
The teal route along Natural Bridge received the most votes of any one answer
UMSL is working on a plan to improve Natural Bridge, better connecting to the UMSL South MetroLink light rail station. A modern streetcar could be a great connection, helping deal with that first/last mile to/from light rail.
South:
Poll #2/2: From the options below, select how you’d extend the proposed streetcar line into south city from 14th & Spruce:
14th/Spruce> Chouteau> Jefferson> Chippewa> Lansdowne> Shrewsbury MetroLink Station 15 [28.3%]
None, I’d prefer light rail over modern streetcar 5 [9.43%]
14th/Spruce> Chouteau> Broadway > River Des Peres 3 [5.66%]
Other: 3 [5.66%]
None, I’d take a route not listed 2 [3.77%]
Won’t be anything to extend 2 [3.77%]
Better to expand south from Forest Park @ Taylor 2 [3.77%]
None of these, don’t extend at all 1 [1.89%]
Unsure/No Answer 0 [0%]
Three readers provided their owner answers to this question:
I’d like to see the route follow Jefferson, but continue south on Broadway
14th/Spruce>Gravois>Jefferson
think about the goals of the whole system first
Like The goals for a streetcar go beyond just transit, they include:
Creating dense corridors.
Spurring new construction, creating construction & permanent jobs.
Looking at the votes here it looks like readers would prefer the south alignment to get into the heart of the southside rather than stay closet to Broadway/I-55. If we were to build the planned light rail instead it would go down Jefferson to Broadway and terminate in a park- & ride lot at I-55, with further expansion along the I-55 ROW into South County.
The teal route along Jefferson & Chippewa received the most votes, though the pink route wasn’t far behind.
The south streetcar alignment that received the most votes would replace the current #11 (Chippewa) MetroBus which does a big “L” by traveling on Jefferson (north-south) and Chippewa (east-west). This would intersect with many existing bus routes, including the very busy #70 (Grand).
Right behind in votes was an alignment that would replace the rest of the #10 (Gravois-Lindell) MetroBus. Part of this bus route would be replaced by the original streetcar route on Olive/Lindell. Going down Gravois would cut through a big section of south city, connecting with east-west & north-south buses.
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