New Poll on Washington Avenue Parking

I think by now it is pretty clear that I am in favor of parking on Washington Avenue. In my efforts to get parking on the street I’ve decided to conduct my own non-scientific poll on the topic to see what others think.

[NOTE: This post first appeared on 7/17 but I have updated it and moved it to today (7/20). If you have not voted yet please read on and vote.]

I personally would like to see on-street parking all the way to the Eads bridge. I would exclude no part of the street such as in front of the convention center or convention hotel. I’d be OK with a few spaces maybe as 15 minute maximum to allow someone to run into Starbucks. Having valet permits such as they do West of Tucker would also be acceptable.

However, for the purposes of this poll I’m limiting the area to the four blocks from 8th to Tucker. The argument in favor of on-street parking is that it provides a buffer between vehicles and pedestrians, it calms traffic, it provides good short-term spaces necessary to support retail businesses, it makes sidewalk dining more pleasant and gives the general impression to visitors that things are happening in the area.

I’ve supplied a wide range of possible answers ranging from no restrictions (my ideal) to a full ban (what we have now). I’ve included the option in the answer to exclude big events. Some answers are for certain times only. You are only allowed to vote once so make it count.

If you feel I should have included another possible answer please let me know in the comments section.

[UPDATED 7/20 @ 10AM. In three days nearly 70 people have voted. Over 90% are in favor of having on-street parking at all times, ignoring rush hour. The only difference being special events like a RAMS game. In retrospect I should have done an option that excluded M-F 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. Again, if you haven’t voted please do so.]

– Steve

Observations and Traffic Counts on St. Louis’ Washington Avenue

Continuing my quest to get parking on Washington Avenue I decided to do a quick count of traffic on three blocks of Washington Avenue during today’s rush hour. My methodology was pretty simple and incomplete.
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Downtown Partnership’s Jim Cloar Takes Action to Keep Parking off Washington Avenue

Nearly two weeks ago the Mayor’s blog reported that a new central business district traffic study was being performed. The announcement came two days after I posted that we needed parking on Washington Avenue East of Tucker.

Today Downtown St. Louis Partnership President Jim Cloar included the following in his weekly notes to members:

The stupidity of his statement is so infuriating. Where does one begin?
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St. Louis Bike Lane Puts Cyclists In Dangerous Situation

Broadway is a popular route for cyclists heading South from downtown St. Louis. In the last week I’ve ridden it three times. This last time I stopped to get photos of a dangerous situation that needs to be corrected immediately.

Before I do into the details let me state that bike lanes are controversial in the bike world. Some argue that bike lanes give riders a false sense of security and adds to a view that bikes don’t belong on the road. Others argue that lanes are effective at enticing people to bike on the road. I think both perspectives are true.

OK, on to the specifics of this situation. Broadway, after passing Park Ave, becomes very wide and fast. Just before reaching the point pictured at right the cyclist needs to be taking the right of the two lanes. This requires skill and speed.

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Mayor’s Office Shares Details About the CBD Traffic/Access Study

The Mayor’s campaign site just released the following:

I reviewed websites for Downtown Now, and Downtown Partnership,and found no reference to the study or how the public (aka stakeholders) can give any input. Maybe the survey was designed as a don’t call us, we’ll call you type? Or they just haven’t updated their sites yet.

I looked at the site for consultants Crawford, Bunte, & Brammeier
and found a reference to an on-going project:

It is not fully clear to me if the study relates to a phase of this signal modification project or if it is an entirely new project. Anyone know? I’d be curious to see what timing changes have been made.

– Steve