Urban Review Seeks Ward-Based “Advisors”

You know, I can’t track it all alone. There is simply too much out there to watch. So, I’d like your help in bringing information to the public — a real grassroots effort.

I’d like 28 advisors — one per ward. If we end up with more than one person per ward I may split up duties or ask someone to report on another ward if others are not covered. Ideally these persons would be open to using their names and submitting reports for their ward.

Here are some initial thoughts as to duties:
• Review ordinances introduced by your alderman, summarize development related ordinances.
• Seek out information on public meetings such as planning commission related to projects within the ward.
• Attend neighborhood meetings and/or ward meetings (any party) and report on projects being discussed.
• Provide written updates/reports/summaries for publication on Urban Review with respect to urban design and planning.
• Possibly branch out and develop a ward-based blog similar to that of Steve Wilke-Shapiro’s excellent 15thWardSTL site.

Email me at steve@urbanreviewstl.com if you are interested in serving in this capacity.

This will all serve as the foundation for creating a non-profit group and/or a political action committee to further an urban agenda in the City of St. Louis. We’ll start informally online, have some advisory meetings and then formalize with a legal entity(s) to act as a watchdog, to educate the public on urban planning issues, to push for changes to policy such as zoning and to seek out, recruit and train candidates to run for office (or focus on pushing the current person to be more urban minded).

What are your thoughts? Good idea? Crazy idea? Any suggestions?

Bill to Blight Jefferson from Gravois to Potomac – UPDATED

Ald. Ortmann introduced Board Bill #153 which will blight a large area of South Jefferson from Gravois to Potomac (see map) putting the area at risk for large scale redevelopment. Ortmann will be holding a public meeting on the issue this Thursday (10/5/2006) at the Five Star Senior Center located at 2832 Arsenal, St. Louis Mo. 63118 form 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

From the ordinance detail (9 pages) we know this much:

An ordinance approving a Redevelopment Plan for the S. Jefferson/Gravois/Potomac Area (“Area”) after finding that the Area is blighted as defined in Section 99.320 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, 2000, as amended, (the “Statute” being Sections 99.300 to 99.715 inclusive), containing a description of the boundaries of said Area in the City of St. Louis (“City”), attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit “A”, finding that redevelopment and rehabilitation of the Area is in the interest of the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the people of the City; approving the Plan dated April 4, 2006 for the Area (“Plan”), incorporated herein by attached Exhibit “B”, pursuant to Section 99.430; finding that there is a feasible financial plan for the development of the Area which affords maximum opportunity for development of the Area by
private enterprise

The problem is Exhibit A (area) and Exhibit B (plan) are not found as part of the documentation with the bill on the Board of Aldermen website nor in the City Journal when the bill was introduced. The public, including a resident (block captain) living in the area, are left wondering the full details of the plan. The bill itself is largely boiler plate language so it is these attachments that contain the details. However, at this point the public is not privy to this information. I have left a voice mail with Ald. Ortmann’s secretary requesting said documents.

UPDATE 10/3/06 2:15pm

I received the missing information from Matt Murphy in Jim Shrewsbury’s office (I called him as well). Both exhibits came as one Word document which I have converted to PDF (Note: the weird formatting of some pages appeared in Word when I opened the file). Click here to view the 16-page document which I am hosting on this site since it was not made available through the city’s own website. From the beginning of the plan:

“The S. Jefferson/Gravois/Potomac Redevelopment Area (“Area”) consists of 145 parcels of commercial, residential, split-use and institutional uses as well as vacant lots totaling approximately 18 acres in the Benton Park, Benton Park West and Gravois Park Neighborhoods of the City of St. Louis (“City”). The Area consists of both sides of S. Jefferson Avenue bounded by Gravois Avenue on the north and Potomac Street on the south.”

This document refers to additional items — a land use map and an “acquisition map” which I have requested as well. In my quick review of the plan so far it too looks boiler plate — not much different than the one used on South Grand including prohibiting the use of drive-thru facilities. The plan talks about parking and the screening required but has no real meaningful urban requirements. The plan refers to the existing zoning to rule which, as we know, permits drive-thru facilities. This is an example of where a zoning overlay is needed to improve upon the zoning in the area.

U.S. Senate Race in Missouri Has Four Candidates, Not Just Two

If you pay attention to most local media, mainstream and alleged alternative/progressive, you’d think the upcoming U.S. Senate race was between only two candidates, incumbent Republican Jim Talent and Democrat Claire McCaskill. But two others are on the ballot: Libertarian Frank Gilmour and Progressive (aka Green) Lydia Lewis.

From Frank Gilmour’s campaign site:

For far too long, our votes have been taken for granted; we either vote for the lesser of the two evils or we do not vote at all. My candidacy offers you a choice other than the two main parties. I’m not on the extreme left or the extreme right. I live in the middle, and I believe that most of you feel the same way.

Our politicians give us partisan bickering instead of legitimate debate. If you vote for me it will send a message to the two main parties that enough is enough! I’m not a career politician. I’m a small business owner and a family man. As a lifelong resident of Missouri, I promise to faithfully represent the people of this State. Give me six years to prove to you that I will serve Missouri with distinction and honor – after all, we are the SHOW ME STATE.

From Progressive Lydia Lewis’ campaign page:

Impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney: “I support investigation of charges that the President and Vice-President have committed acts amounting to ‘high crimes and misdemeanors.’ Upon impeachment by the House, if evidence proving the allegations is presented to the Senate, I will vote to remove them. I don’t think any of my opponents would do so.”

Immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq

Repeal the USA Patriot Act (Former Sen. Jean Carnahan (D) voted for it, her replacement, Sen. Jim Talent (R), voted to extend it, and Claire McCaskill (D) supports it)

Enact universal single-payer health care for all

Take money out of politics and government with public financing of election campaigns

Adopt “instant runoff voting” (IRV) to expand voter choice, avoid having to settle for a mere “lesser evil,” eliminate “spoiler” strategies, and insure that candidates are elected with majority support

Renegotiate global trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA to protect labor and the environment from abuses by international business interests

Enact serious measures to combat global warming, promote development of clean, secure alternative energy, and promote mass transit and pedestrian, bicycle and rail transportation sources

Prohibit “privatization” of government functions

Prohibit hiring of permanent replacements for striking workers; make locked-out workers eligible for unemployment compensation

Protect reproductive freedom, including a woman’s unrestricted right to choose whether to terminate her pregnancy

I’m not endorsing anyone in this race, I’m simply suggesting the issues are far too important to completely ignore half the people who’ve stepped up to plate to seek the office. You can call them “fringe” candidates all you want but I have a far greater respect for them than anyone that sits on the sidelines and simply votes along party lines.

Herod Posts Comparison Chart Between Self and McMillan

The Herod for License Collector camp are adding more content to their website located at www.patrickherod.com. One page is a Comparison between the two candidates where Herod details his two degrees from St. Louis University, his military experience, work as a union laborer and as a small business owner in the city of St. Louis.

Note: I have been retained by the Committee to Elect Pat Herod as an occasional consultant and to host their website. However, I did not prepare any of the materials on the website. This is not a paid message.

Voter Registration Deadline: Wednesday October 11, 2006

The voter registration deadline for the November election is just over a week away — Wednesday October 11, 2006.

For more information on registering visit your location election board:

• City of St. Louis
• St. Louis County, MO
• St. Charles County, MO
• Jefferson County, MO
• Franklin County, MO

For those in Illinois your deadline for registration might be different, contact your county election board to verify:

• Madison County, IL
• St. Clair County, IL
• Monroe County, IL (email County Clerk Dennis M. Knoblich)

I will be in Chicago on election day so I’ve already requested my absentee ballot. You can visit the above sites for more information on voting via an absentee ballot. The next election is Tuesday, November 7, 2006.