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

Demographics & Technology Continues To Change Retailing

Around Halloween each year I think more and more about retailing. Not because I’m into mass consumerism, but because of the five years I spent working at Toys “R” Us (1983-87). I also briefly worked at Dillard’s for a few months in 1988. Architecture school became too demanding, so I stopped working my last two of five years in college. In architecture school I took an interest in retail design.

Growing up in the 1970s, retailing was represented by Sears, Montgomery Ward (their catalogs too!), and Oklahoma stores like C.R. Anthony, TG&Y, Otasco, etc. Looking back on my personal experience, I realize just how much retailing has changed in my almost 50 years. My parents & grandparents saw considerable change in retailing during their lifetimes (1886-2007 range).

Today we have our phones out when in brick & mortar retail stores. I use a grocery app daily — I’ve added non-grocery stores for other items as well. Recently, in Target, we saw the Elf on a Shelf and decided to finally get it. A quick scan of barcode within the Amazon app showed us the price was the same at both stores, so we bought it at Target. We paid sales tax by buying at Target, but we got 5% off by using our Target RedCard MasterCard. However, we’re currently getting 5% cash back through Amazon using our Discover card. We paid more — the amount of sales taxes — so we could have it immediately. An informed decision.

My experience at Toys “R” Us was very different. I stocked shelves, but also worked as a cashier. Though part-time, I became a head cashier that trained and supervised other cashiers. In those days we had to key in a 6-digit stock keeping unit (SKU) for every item — no scanning a barcode. The register knew the price — assuming the price sticker on the product and computer were both updated. After we had the total sale amount we’d fill out a credit card form  and do an imprint of the card on the form. We had to enter the card number into the register to get an authorization code, which was then written on the form.

The truth is that the credit card imprint is nothing new. That’s how all transactions were handled in the days before the magnetic strip. It seems silly to have to explain this, but believe it or not, there are these imprint machines that are entirely mechanical. The merchant places the card on a steel plate on the imprinter and a credit card form is placed over it (it used to have “carbon paper” for those old enough to remember). The merchant slides an arm over the whole thing, and the pressure from the arm imprints the raised numbers on your card onto the paper form. It contains all the important information, such as card numbers and expiration date. (NerdWallet)

My point is retailing has continuously evolved since the first retail transaction. Once-giant retailers, like Sears, barely survive today. Some mom & pop stores go out of business, while others grow to become Nike, Spankx, Whole Foods, etc. With Millennials outnumbering Baby Boomers and Gen-Z shoppers entering the picture you can expect retail to continue changing.

Amazon is trying to stay ahead of these changes. As Amazon Prime members we’re used to getting things in two days, very fast compared to the old days of pre-internet mail/phone order from catalogs.    But sometimes you can’t wait 2 days. Google Express offers next-day delivery from local stores in St. Louis, with same-day delivery in some markets. Very soon Amazon will open two huge facilities in the Metro area —  from June:

Online retail giant Amazon announced Thursday that it would build two distribution centers in Edwardsville, bringing 1,000 new jobs and adding a big name to a growing distribution and logistics hub in the Metro East.

Known as “fulfillment centers,” the Amazon warehouse and distribution facilities service a growing cadre of online shoppers by storing and shipping goods to consumers who want them fast. One center will handle large items — big screen TVs, sports equipment or kayaks — while another will handle smaller items such as books and electronics.

Amazon has about 50 of the centers, and as online retail competition grows, the company is looking to meet the fast delivery times promised by its premium service, Amazon Prime. (Post-Dispatch)

How fast? Try 2 hours, or 1 hour for an additional fee!

We’ll be in Chicago for four nights in mid-February, so I’ll try Prime Now there. I’ve looked through the app and it’s largely groceries and Amazon’s own electronics. If it’s cold & snowing having them deliver groceries from Eataly would be nice. The walk is less than 10 minutes from the condo where we stay, but making fresh pasta and staying in might be nice. Prime Now also does restaurant delivery.

Amazon isn’t stopping there, they’re testing a brick & mortar store:

The first Amazon Go location is situated in Seattle and is only available to Amazon employees until early 2017. It looks like a typical small grocery store with one thing missing–cashiers. 

Amazon Go has no cash registers and no lines because customers do not have to check out. Instead, they check into the store using an Amazon Go app on their smartphones. Sensors placed around the store detect what customers take off the shelves, and the company automatically charges their established Amazon accounts when they leave. It’s like shoplifting, except you pay for stuff as you walk out of the store. (PBS)

Hard to say today what impact all this will have long term, but it’s safe to assume the retail industry will continue changing and adapting. Those that don’t will fade away.

— Steve Patterson

Trump Is Less Than A Half Mile Away Today, Last Week I Took Public Transit 20+ Miles To Hear Bernie Sanders

Before this year, and despite being an active voter for 30+ years, I’d never seen a presidential candidate in person. At noon today Republican frontrunner Donald Trump will be speaking at the Peabody Opera House — less than half a mile away from my downtown loft. I won’t go hear him speak — not worth minimal effort.

A week ago, however, I traveled 20+ miles to hear Sen. Bernie Sanders at SIUE’s Vadalabene Center. As I indicated on February 2nd, I already voted for Bernie Sanders via absentee ballot. Today’s post is mostly about my journey there and back via public transit.

You’re probably thinking it took forever, the answer is no & yes.  Getting there was as fast as driving, coming back took three times as long.

Each weekday morning the Madison County Transit 16X Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Express makes two pickups from St. Louis, it makes nine drop offs. At 7:02am I caught the first 16x at 6th & Washington Ave.  Thirty-six minutes later I was on the SIUE campus.

Driving from my loft would’ve required my husband to use our Enterprise CarShare membership so I could use our car, it would’ve taken 36-41 minutes for me to drive there. With the time it would’ve taken me to walk from parking to the line using my wheelchair on public transit saved me time — and money.

Upon arrival at the campus I didn’t stop to photograph — I wanted to get to get in lime at the Vadalabene Center. As I was making my way to the back of the line a volunteer stopped me and said I could follow her to the disabled entrance.

I already knew the next express bus to St. Louis wasn’t for another 4 hours — I’d need to take two buses and a train to get home.

I had two options:

1. #19 to Collinsville > #18 to Emerson Park > MetroLink to St. Louis
2. #4 to Granite City > #5 to Emerson Park > MetroLink to St. Louis

Both were within minutes of each other — just shy of two hours total. Based upon when I arrived, the #2 option via Granite City would be next. While waiting I began talking to someone else who attended the event, we talked much of the way until I got off the train downtown. Turns out he’s married to a woman I’ve known for at least a decade, they live in Webster Groves!

It was worth all the trouble to hear & meet Bernie Sanders!  Missouri & Illinois both hold primaries on Tuesday, along with Ohio, Florida, and North Carolina — please vote.

— Steve Patterson

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens In Former Insurance Building

Earlier this week the first of two Illinois medical marijuana dispensaries opened in the metro East. Finally.

Relief has arrived in the Metro East for patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses. The area’s first medical marijuana dispensary, HCI Alternatives, opened in Collinsville Monday. (KSDK)

Illinois’ experiment in medical marijuana is off to a painfully slow start. Can it survive?

The clock is ticking for the Illinois medical marijuana program. A low number of approved patients could force some marijuana businesses to close just as the program is getting underway.

The issue is that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has only approved a small amount of illnesses that would meet the requirements for taking medical marijuana. The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board for the program had recommended that 11 conditions and diseases be added to the list. However, in September the IDPH said it wouldn’t expand the list.

The group came back in October with a list of 8 conditions and if approved, would lead to a much larger patient population and would ensure the success of the programs and the viability of the businesses. Several chronic pain conditions, osteoarthritis, autism, irritable bowel syndrome and post-traumatic stress syndrome are on the list the board recommended. The IDPH said it would accept petitions from patients during the month of January 2016. Mind you these petitions aren’t just signing a sheet of paper. (Forbes)

Given the exorbitant fees these businesses paid to Illinois I don’t think they’ll let them go under — the powerful don’t treat the wealthy that way.

When we stopped by in November 2015 we noticed the numerous security cameras all around the building. Hopefully Illinois will approve more conditions and patients will get their cards. HCI Alternatives also has a location in Springfield IL. Missouri approved CBD oil in 2014 but I don’t think it is available to patients yet.

This week a woman in Georgia testified before legislators in her state about buying marijuana on the black market to create her own CBD oil to help treat her child. This November Missouri voters should have the opportunity to approve medical marijuana.

— Steve Patterson

Most Bus Stops On A St. Clair County Route Not Designed For Pedestrians

Last week I decided to visit downtown O’Fallon IL so I could see & photograph their old city hall — which is for sale. It is just a 24-28 minute drive from my loft in downtown St. Louis but my husband and I share a car, which he uses has for work. Transit was my best option, but it would be 90 minutes each way. The first half via MetroLink light rail, the second via MetroBus.

The MetroLink stations/platforms are all wheelchair accessible, as are all MetroBus vehicles. The weak link is MetroBus stops. With thousands of stops throughout the region, a transit agency can only do so much to improve municipal/county rights-of-way. I assumed I’d be ok once I reached downtown O’Fallon so I didn’t look ahead at the stops along the way.

But on the bus I began to snap pictures as the bus stopped — in some cases as we went past stops. For those unfamiliar with riding a bus, they don’t stop at every bus stop. If you want off you must pull the cord to let the driver know you wan the next stop. A bus also stops for those waiting to board. Light rail, however, stops at every stop because they’re limited and spaced far apart.  Still, the bus stops are needed because throughout the day each and every stop will likely be used at least once.

Below are some of the images I took from the #12 MetroBus heading East from the Fairview Heights IL MetroLink station to the O’Fallon City Hall. The bus was near seated capacity when we departed the station.

I reviewed the entire route on Google Street View, my stop in downtown O”Fallon was the 82nd stop after leaving the Fairview Heights MetroLink station. We traveled through Fairview Heights, Shiloh, O’Fallon, and likely unincorporated St. Clair County.

If you care to take a look, here’s a link to all the stops. Only a few I’d consider to be ADA-compliant.

• 1st stop
• 2nd stop
• 3rd stop
• 4th Stop
• 5th Stop
• 6th
• 7th
• 8th
• 9th — sorta ok grass
• 10th (grass)
• 11th ok
• 12th ok/grass
• 13th no sidewalk/grass
• 14th no sidewalk/grass ditch
• 15th no sidewalk/grass
• 16th sorta ok, grass between sidewalk & curb
• Left onto Commerce Lane
• 17th no sidewalk/grass
• 18th bad curbs/grass
• 19th no sidewalks/grass
• 20th no sidewalk/mulch
• Turn left onto Plaza Dr
• 21st — awful between road & interstate highway
• turn right onto N Ruby Ln
• Turn right onto Ludwig Dr
• 22nd — hotels, sidewalk this side only, narrow grass
• 23rd sidewalk this side only, narrow grass restaurants
• 24th more restaurants, sidewalk both sides
• 25th ditto
• 26th sidewalk ends at bus stop, Drury planter
• 27th no sidewalk, just grass & curbs. Drury
• Turn right onto IL-159
• 28th — shoulder, worn grass sloping down
• turn left onto St. Clair Square
• 29th mall entry, shelter. No route to outparcals
• 30th — no sidewalk, grass curbs not accessible at all
• turn left onto Lincoln highway
• 31st ditto
• 32nd no sidewalk up to stop, little at corner
• 33rd — sidewalk, tiny grass strip
• 34th ditto
• 35th ditto
• 36th ditto, in O’Fallon
• 37th ditto
• 38th ditto
• 39th ditto
• 40th ditto
• 41st ditto
• 42nd ditto
• 43rd ditto taco bell
• 44th no sidewalk grass curbs
• turn right on Hartman Lane
• turn left on Central Park
• 45th sidewalk grass strip restaurants
• 46th ditto Chevy’s
• 47th sidewalk grass strip retail
• 48th ditto
• 49th ditto
• 50th no sidewalk this side, grass curbs can’t reach
• 51st sidewalk Menard’s
• 52nd no sidewalk this side, curbs/grass can’t reach
• Shiloh IL, Sturm left on Green Mountain Road
• 53rd no sidewalk, sloping grass shopping center
• pedestrian
• Turn left on Regency Park, back in O’Fallon
• 54th new construction
• 55th sidewalks, no access to businesses
• 56th sidewalk this side, not other. no access to hotel
• 57th sidewalk this side only, hotels
• 58th – no sidewalks either side, curbs/grass
• 59th sidewalks, grass strip
• turn right on us 50
• 60th shoulder drainage ditch
• follow 50 right curve
• 61st ditto
• 62nd — wide grass strip, new ramps to CVS
• 63rd wide grass strip between street & sidewalk
• 64th grass strip
• Turn right onto Cambridge
• 65th ditto
• 66th ditto
• 67th ditto
• 68th narrow grass strip
• 69th ditto
• 70th wide grass strip
• Turn right onto Green Mount
• 71st ditto
• 72nd ditto
• Right onto State at traffic circle
• 73rd — no sidewalk, just shoulder & drainage ditch
• 74th ditto
• 75th ditto
• 76th no sidewalk this side, curb & grass.
• 77th ditto
• Entering downtown O’Fallon
• 78th good — attached sidewalk
• 79th ditto
• 80th ditto
• Turn into bus transfer center
• 81st good — attached sidewalk
• Turn right onto S. Vine
• Turn right onto 3rd
• 82nd wasn’t able to exit here.

Basically this is largely impossible for those of us who are disabled, but a miserable experience for the able-bodied. None of this was built with any consideration for pedestrians — everyone is expected to drive everywhere.  The reality is not everyone can drive. Physical, mental, emotional, and financial issues are some of the reasons why not everyone drives.

Sadly, this is the rule — not the exception. We’ve built so much that’s hostile to pedestrians and impossible for some of us. Tomorrow a similar example from St. Louis County.

— Steve Patterson