Railings on ADA Ramps Aren’t Bike Racks

I’m not upset with the owner of this bike, they had nowhere else to safely secure their vehicle.  It is the lack of bike parking at the Chase Park Plaza that upsets me.

Most likely a “dish drainer” bike rack is stuffed in a dark corner of the parking garage, completely out of sight to the transportation cyclist. I was able to get past this bike in my power chair, but I’ve encountered times where I had less room.  But the continuous railings are there for a reason, so someone can make their way along the ramp while always holding the railing.  Break the railing with a bike and suddenly you can present a major problem for someone that needs to hold the railing.

– Steve Patterson

Results of Reader’s Poll on St. Louis’ Mardi Gras

Last week readers voted in the poll, indicating if they participated in Mardi Gras festivities:

Q: Did you participate in Mardi Gras festivities in Soulard on Saturday?

1. No, not my thing 54 [29.19%]
2. Yes, what a blast! 48 [25.95%]
3. No, used to go but not interested anymore 33 [17.84%]
4. No, don’t live in St. Louis – would be there if I did! 17 [9.19%]
5. Other answer… 15 [8.11%]
6. Yes, used to be more fun though 7 [3.78%]
7. Yes, not going back again 5 [2.7%]
8. No, don’t live in St. Louis – wouldn’t go even if I did! 3 [1.62%]
9. Who is this Marty person? 3 [1.62%]

The other answers were:

1. Not this year due to weather
2. Yes, live in the neighborhood, couldn’t leave our property, Good first time
3. i like boobs but not those nasty flap jacks
4. Not this year, but might go in the future.
5. No, I don’t want to hang out with violently drunk hoosiers from Arnold
6. No, but wanted to go. (out of town)
7. Yes. I live there and couldn’t help it
8. no but will in the future!!
9. No, just had a baby, but would’ve been there if I could.
10. busy with other stuff
11. Yes, but it was FREEZING. I worked a beer booth and then left.
12. No thanks. Drunken hoosiers aren’t my cup of tea.
13. Would like to go but just haven’t made it yet…weather keeps me away usual
14. No, too many drunk hoosiers with no attachment to the neighborhood/city.
15. No – I was working 🙁

Clearly I should have had more options in the poll.

– Steve Patterson

Left to Right: Nothing But Dead Space

Left to right:

1. Massive dome that generates zero daily activity on sidewalks.
2. One-way southbound Broadway, basically a wide highway exit
3. Dead parking garage.
4. One-way northbound 4th Street, basically a wide highway on ramp
5. Elevated lanes of I-70
6. Massive casino that generates zero daily activity on sidewalks.

Did I miss anything?

– Steve Patterson

Grand Bridge Now Closed For Replacement

The Grand bridge over the train & MetroLink tracks was closed earlier this morning. Last June I spent some on and under the bridge, looking at the poor condition. From a press release issued by Mayor Slay’s office on February 28th:

“The Grand Bridge project is expected to take 18-24 months; Grand Boulevard is expected to be closed for about 14 months. The new Grand Bridge will feature improvements that benefit transit riders, pedestrians, and drivers. While the City of St. Louis replaces the Grand Bridge, Metro will redesign the Grand MetroLink Station and create a Scott Avenue Transit Plaza, which will feature seating, vending, attractive landscaping, improved lighting and a new park-ride lot.”

The current bridge dates to the early 1960s.

Replacement long overdue!

– Steve Patterson

Poll: Must St. Louis Public Schools Improve To Stop Population Loss?

For years it has been suggested that underperforming St. Louis Public Schools must be turned around to stop the loss of population. Do you agree? If so, how?

The counter argument is  fewer and fewer households have kids.  St. Louis should focus on attracting aging Baby Boomers & Busters (Gen X) whose kids are grown and Generation Z who don’t yet have kids. This is the subject of the poll this week (see upper right of blog).

– Steve Patterson