This site takes a close look at the planning, policies and politics of the St. Louis region.

UrbanReviewSTL.com

UrbanReviewSTL.com was created on October 31, 2004, the result of a family crisis. Steve Patterson’s father was hospitalized nearly the entire month of October 2004, following a heart attack on October 1st.  Unable to concentrate, Steve Patterson decided to write. On Halloween 2004 he registered UrbanReviewSTL.com and used some free software he had, hosting the blog on his .Mac account. Within weeks, UrbanReviewSTL.com moved to a new server, changed to Movable Type software and joined the St. Louis Syndicate collection of local blogs.  In January 2006 UrbanReviewSTL.com moved again, this time to it’s own server and to WordPress software. Along the way the blog earned numerous awards from the RFT, Riverfront Times and others. In September 2011 the blog got it’s fourth look (from  ”FallSeason” to “Massive News”).

Awards/recognition:

• RFT Best Blog 2011
• Best Activism Blog, 2011 RFT Web Awards
• RFT Best Local Blog 2009
• RFT Readers’ Choice 2008
• RFT Readers’ Choice Best Blog 2007
• RFT Readers’ Choice Best Blog 2006 
• RFT Best Civic-Minded Blog 2005

Bio: Steve Patterson

Steve Patterson moved to St. Louis from Oklahoma City in August 1990, after earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design (BSED) from the College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma. In May 2004, Patterson left his day job as a residential project designer and began selling real estate full time. Patterson continued to blog as he ran for the Board of Aldermen in the 25th ward in the Spring of 2005.  He lost the election, but gained readers. In the Fall of 2006 Patterson began working on a Masters in Urban Planning & Real Estate Development (UPRED) at Saint Louis University.  In 2007 Steve went car-free and moved downtown a few months  later.  On 2/1/2008 Patterson had a massive stroke, leaving left his left limbs paralyzed.  After 3 months of hospitalization & therapy he returned home to downtown St. Louis.  Patterson is back walking & driving but he also uses an electric wheelchair to “walk” around downtown. Since July 2010 Patterson has been a regular user of public transit. Steve Patterson has been openly gay for 25+ years.

Awards/recognition:

• Best Blogger – STL Mag’s 2008 A-List
• #50 — Power Players: The 50 People Who Run St. Louis (2006)
• RFT Best Gadfly 2006

Last updated on 1/23/2012.