Annual Look At Changes Along St. Louis’ Dr Martin Luther King Drive

Today is the 13th year I’m posting about St. Louis’ Dr. Martin Luther King Drive — formerly Franklin & Easton Avenues.  These streets were official renamed almost 45 years ago, on February 17, 1972.

As in the past dozen years, there are some bright spots:

The abandonment in the neighborhoods on either side of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive make the task of revitalizing this corridor all but impossible.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Is ‘Right-To-Work’ Right For Missouri?

Eric Greitens was sworn in as Missouri’s governor on Monday. One of his campaign promises is a top priority for the legislature.

When Greitens takes office, Monday, Republicans for the first time in history will hold supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature and control of the governor’s mansion. That likely will mean top GOP priorities vetoed by Nixon will become law, including a right-to-work bill barring mandatory union fees that Greitens said he supports. (KMOX)

Right-to-work is the subject of today’s poll.

The poll will close at 8pm — earlier if there’s evidence of a campaign to significantly alter the non-scientific results. Results and my thoughts on Wednesday.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Board of Aldermen: New Board Bills 1/13/2017 (247-274)

Almost to the end of the session, so 28 new Board Bills will be introduced at today’s meeting of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. Review the agenda here.

• B.B.#247 – Conway –An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the St. Louis Municipal Finance Corporation to issue and sell the Corporation’s City Justice Center Leasehold Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2017 (Direct Purchase) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $7,000,000 in order to refund or redeem, if desirable, all or a portion of the Corporation’s City Justice Center Leasehold Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2005.
• B.B.#248 – Conway – An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment of The City authorizing and directing the St. Louis Municipal Finance Corporation to issue and sell its Leasehold Revenue Refunding Bonds in order to refund all or a portion of its outstanding Refunded Bonds and its Leasehold Revenue Improvement Bonds to fund the construction, repair, improvement and renovation of the Cervantes Convention Center (collectively, the “Leasehold Revenue Bonds”) in one or more series in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $30,000,000; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#249 – Conway  –An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the St. Louis Municipal Finance Corporation to issue and sell, in one or more series, its Police Capital Improvement Sales Tax Leasehold Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2017A, in order to, refund all or a portion of the outstanding Police Capital Improvement Sales Tax Leasehold Revenue Bonds, Series 2007 and the Juvenile Detention Center Leasehold Refunding Revenue Bonds Series 2017B, in order to, refund all or a portion of the outstanding Tax?Exempt Juvenile Detention Center Leasehold Revenue Bonds Series 2008B.
• B.B.#250 – Villa  –An Ordinance relating to the I?55/Loughborough Redevelopment Project authorizing and directing the Mayor and Comptroller to execute a First Supplemental Financing Agreement, which supplements and amends that certain Financing Agreement, by and among the City, the Industrial Development Authority of the City and the Loughborough Commons Community Improvement District, in connection with the Authority’s Tax Increment and Community Improvement Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series 2017 (Loughborough Commons Redevelopment Project) (the “Series 2017 Bonds”), pursuant to which certain TIF Revenues and CID Revenues will be assigned for the benefit of said Series 2017 Bonds; and containing a severability clause.
• B.B.#251 – Coatar – An ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission to change the zoning of property in City Block 483.03 (1322?32 Dolman Street) from “C” Multiple?Family Dwelling District and “F” Neighborhood Commercial District to the “E” Multiple?Family Dwelling District; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#252 – Spencer – An ordinance recommended by the Planning Commission to change the zoning of property from “B “ Two? Family Dwelling District and “J” Industrial District to the “B” Two?Family Dwelling District in City Block 1648 3627 & 3635 S. Jefferson); and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#253 – Krewson  –An ordinance recommended by the Airport Commission, the Board of Public Service, and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the Director of Airports and the Comptroller to enter into and execute an Agreement and Contract of Sale for the Sale of Property, between St. Louis, the owner and operator of Lambert?St. Louis International Airport, and the City of Kinloch, providing for the sale of approximately .674 acres of property owned by St. Louis and located in St. Louis County, for the sum of Twenty Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($22,220.00); and containing a severability clause and an emergency clause.
• B.B.#254 – Krewson  –An ordinance recommended by the Airport Commission, the Board of Public Service, and the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the Director of Airports and the Comptroller to enter into and execute an Agreement and Contract of Sale for the Sale of Property, between St. Louis, the owner and operator of Lambert?St. Louis International Airport, which is located in St. Louis County, Missouri, and Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church of South Kinloch, providing for the sale of approximately 1.076 acres of property owned by St. Louis and located in St. Louis County, for the sum of Forty Three Thousand, One Hundred Eighty Two Dollars ($43,182.00); and containing a severability clause and an emergency clause
• B.B.#255 – Krewson  – An Ordinance recommended and approved by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the Director of Airports and the Comptroller to enter into and execute the “Second Amendment to Lease Agreement AL?226” to the Lambert?St. Louis International Airport® Lease Agreement AL?226, between the City and Jet Linx St. Louis, LLC, dated March 7, 2013 and authorized by City Ordinance No. 69384, approved February 6, 2013, as amended by the First Amendment to Lease Agreement AL?226, dated August 20, 2013, which was authorized by City Ordinance No. 69497, approved July 10, 2013, granting to the Lessee; containing a severability clause; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#256 – Krewson  –An Ordinance recommended and approved by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment authorizing and directing the Director of Airports and the Comptroller, owner and operator of Lambert?St. Louis International Airport to enter into and execute the Assignment and Assumption of Interest in Dual Customs Agreement and Consent of The City agreement whereby the City consents to the assignment by Brownsville International Air Cargo, Inc. to Bi?National Gateway Terminal, all of Assignor’s right, title and interest in the Dual Customs Agreement AL?353, between the City and Assignor; containing a severability clause; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#257 – Hubbard  –An ordinance, recommended by the Board of Estimate & Apportionment, authorizing and directing the Mayor and Comptroller, to enter into and execute an agreement or agreements with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the receipt of Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Funding; appropriating the sum of Twenty?Nine Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($29,500,000) which the City has been awarded as a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant for the Near North Side; and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#258 – Coatar  – An Ordinance Approving The Petition Of An Owner Of Certain Real Property To Establish A Community Improvement District, Establishing The 501 Olive Community Improvement District, And Containing An Emergency Clause And Containing A Severability Clause.
• B.B.#259 – Kennedy  – An ordinance authorizing and directing the Fire Commissioner, on behalf of the Mayor and the City of Saint Louis, to enter into and execute a Grant agreement with the U.S. Department of homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Assistance to Firefighters Grant, to fund the 2015 Fire Operation and Safety Grant, and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#260 – Kennedy  – An ordinance recommended by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, authorizing a supplemental appropriation; amending Ordinance #70272, commonly referred to as the budget ordinance for Fiscal Year 2016?17; appropriating and setting apart revenues to address the expenditure required and set forth herein for the current fiscal year, in the amount of $95,000, to be apportioned to the Division of Corrections for the purpose of establishing a charity bail fund to assist certain non?violent defendants in posting bail as allowed by the Court, and to alleviate the cost of housing such persons, and to save public funds currently allocated for the incarceration of such persons, and containing an
  Emergency Clause.
• B.B.#261 – Green/Spencer/Howard/Arnowitz  – An ordinance requiring employers to provide unpaid leave for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking; containing definitions; violations; a penalty clause; and a severability clause.
• B.B.#262 – Hubbard – An ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to conditionally vacate travel in alley in City Block 527 as bounded by Delmar, 14th, Lucas and 15th.
• B.B.#263 – Roddy  – An ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to conditionally vacate travel in alley in City Block 2342 as bounded by North Market Street, 19th Street, Maiden Lane and 20th Street.
• B.B.#264 – Davis  – An ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to vacate travel in remaining 188.07 feet of the 20 foot wide east/west alley in City Block 940 beginning at 21st Street and extending eastwardly to a point, same bounded by Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, 20th St., Delmar Blvd. and 21st.
• B.B.#265 – Ogilvie  – An ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to conditionally vacate travel in the northern 5 feet of the 15 foot wide east/west alley in City Block 5066 beginning at Kraft St. and being bounded by Wise Ave., Louisville Ave., West Park Ave. and Kraft.
• B.B.#266 – Bosley  – An ordinance recommended by the Board of Public Service to vacate travel in several streets and alleys bounded by St. Louis Ave. on the north, 22nd St. on the east, Cass Ave. on the south and Jefferson Ave./Parnell St. on the west.
• B.B.#267 – Coatar  – An Ordinance pertaining to a City Housing Conservation Program; amending, Ordinance 67914, adopted on April 11, 2008, containing an Emergency Clause.
• B.B.#268 – Roddy  – An ordinance pertaining to parking within the “Chouteau?Newstead Parking District” and the “Taylor? Chouteau?Tower Grove Parking District”; which establishes the location and restrictions for curb parking in the restricted parking zone in the two districts created by this ordinance; containing definitions, a penalty clause and an emergency clause.
• B.B.#269 – Davis  – An ordinance approving the petition for the addition of certain real property to the Forsyth Associates Community Improvement District; establishing the expanded Forsyth Associates Community Improvement District; and containing a severability clause.
• B.B.#270 – Bosley  – An ordinance, relating to the Solid Waste Services Fee established under Ordinance No. 68698, authorizing an increase to said fee of two dollars ($2.00) per month per dwelling unit commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017, and containing an emergency clause.
• B.B.#271 – Coatar  – An Ordinance Approving Amendments to the Blighting Study and Plan for the Eleventh/Clark/Eighth/Poplar Area.
• B.B.#272 – Krewson  – An ordinance approving a blighting study and redevelopment plan for 6201 Delmar; containing a severability clause.
• B.B.#273 – Vollmer  – An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 5217 Botanical Ave.
• B.B.#274 – Vollmer  – An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the 5214 Wilson Avenue.

The meeting begins at 10am, it can be watched online here.

— Steve Patterson

Opinion: Missouri Needs To Increase Fuel Taxes, Index For Future Adjustments

The last time Missouri’s fuel tax rate increased was 1996 — from a 1993 law that increased it a little for 3 years. Meanwhile, Missouri has built more miles of infrastructure to maintain and maintenance/construction costs have increased. There are many ways to raise money for roads & bridges but the most direct is fuel taxes.

Our legislators in Jefferson City need to address this issue — but I don’t see it happening. Even if they managed to pass a small increase our new governor would likely veto it.

The results of the recent Sunday Poll:

Q: Agree or disagree: Missouri should index fuel taxes so they automatically adjust up or down.

• Strongly agree 11 [40.74%]
• Agree 8 [29.63%]
• Somewhat agree 4 [14.81%]
• Neither agree or disagreeii 1 [3.7%]
• Somewhat disagree 2 [7.41%]
• Disagree 0 [0%]
• Strongly disagree 1 [3.7%]
• Unsure/No Answer 0 [0%]

In addition to increasing the fuel tax, there needs to be an index to automatically adjust it going forward. Not exactly sure the basis for the indexing, but we can’t go decades without a change since deterioration & increased costs never stop.

— Steve Patterson

Senior Apartments To Be Built Adjacent To Swansea MetroLink Station Parking Lot

Back in September 2016, on the 20th,  I received a press release from our transit agency Metro — aka Bi-State Development:

SWANSEA, IL, SEPT. 20, 2016…  Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA), in partnership with Bywater Development Group and Bi-State Development (BSD), is pleased to announce a new, $10.5 million development that will bring senior apartment living adjacent to the Swansea MetroLink Station in Swansea, Ill. The transit-oriented development (TOD) project, which will be developed by SWIDA and Bywater, was approved by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) in Chicago on September 16. 

This new development, called Metro Landing of Swansea, will feature a handsome three-story building with 62 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments for older adults seeking an independent lifestyle. Located adjacent to the Swansea MetroLink Station, residents will have car-free transportation options via MetroLink and MetroBus to conveniently access restaurants, retail, entertainment venues, recreational locations, employment centers, and medical facilities around the bi-state region. The Swansea Station is located on the Metro East Park and Recreation District BikeLink trail system, so seniors will be able to utilize the trail for exercise and recreation.

This development would not have occurred without the collaboration of a number of groups including IHDA, the St. Clair County Transit District and the Village of Swansea.  The Village has been a vital asset in the predevelopment planning process.  “It is truly an example of how public and private partnerships can lead to an important community investment,” James Nations, SWIDA’s Chairman said. “This is an excellent opportunity for SWIDA and Bywater Development Group to contribute to active senior housing as this segment of the population continues to grow.” The SWIDA Board of Directors is seeking other markets in the region in need of comparable developments.

Mike Lundy, Executive Director of SWIDA said, “It has been great working with Bi-State Development. We are very pleased with the new senior housing development and worked extremely hard to move this development forward.”

“This new development to be positioned next to the Swansea MetroLink Station reflects other successful transit-oriented projects in our area, and is a testament to the positive benefits the Metro transit system brings to the region,” said John Nations, President and CEO of Bi- State Development (BSD). BSD operates the metro public transportation system for the St. Louis region. 

“Metro Landing of Swansea is reflective of a very strong and effective public/private partnership and stands to serve as a model for transit oriented senior housing. It will create both a positive impact on the community and an ideal living environment for its residents.  Our organization is highly honored to be a part of this collective effort,” said Aaron Burnett, President of Bywater Development Group.

Metro Landing of Swansea is scheduled for construction commencement in the summer of 2017 with full completion by late summer of 2018. 

 

About SWIDA

The Southwestern Illinois Development Authority is a special-purpose, municipal corporation and local governmental unit whose purpose is to promote and enhance economic development within the counties of Bond, Clinton, Madison and St. Clair Ill. To learn more, visit www.swida.org. 

About Bi-State Development

Bi-State Development (BSD) operates the St. Louis Regional Freightway, the region’s freight district, and the Bi-State Development Research Institute. BSD is the operator of the Metro public transportation system for the St. Louis region, which includes the 87 vehicle, 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; 391 MetroBus vehicle fleet that serves 77 MetroBus routes; and Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 120 vans. BSD owns and operates St. Louis Downtown Airport and the Gateway Arch Riverboats, as well as operates the Gateway Arch Revenue Collections Center and Gateway Arch trams. 

Within 90 minutes of receiving the press release I emailed Mike Lundy of SWIDA and Aaron Burnett of Bywater Development volunteering to help with accessibility, pedestrian issues, etc. I wanted to make sure they avoided common problems I’ve found throughout the region.Unfortunately, I’ve yet to hear back from either.

The stories online that day from the Post-Dispatch & other media outlets was a rephrasing of the press release along with the image provided.  Rather than do the same as others, I visited the Swansea MetroLink station and surrounding area a few days later  — on the morning of September 23rd. I was in the area nearly 2 hours — taking 158 photos in that time.

Go back up and read the press release again, you’ll see buzz words/phrases like ‘car-free’, ‘transit-oriented senior housing’, and ‘ideal living environment.’ Yeah…not so much.

The main thing these independent seniors will be buying is groceries. The nearest grocery store is al Aldi about a half a mile walk to the South, a Schnucks just over a half mile to the North. Before we go to the grocery stores let’s take a look at the station.

Let’s go to the Aldi first since it is slightly closer and we’re almost out to the main road, IL-159/N. Illinois St.

Let’s return to the station entrance and go North to try to access the Schnucks. Though the Schnucks is also on the West side of IL-159, there’s no sidewalk so we must cross to the West to head North.

Seniors living here might not be able to carry a bag or two of groceries, so an inexpensive folding shopping cart is a good option. But traversing parking lots are dangerous and trying to get the cart up & over many curbs is a challenge at any age/ability. My experience confirms the WalkScore of 33 out of 100 for the MetroLink light rail station — car dependent.

Metro and its partners want everyone to believe seniors will be able to live here car-free. I realize pedestrian-friendly development doesn’t happen around transit immediacy — it takes time. This station has only been open since…May 5th…2001 — over 15 years!

— Steve Patterson