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No Longer Car-Free

Two years ago I sold the 2004 Toyota Corolla I bought after my stroke, switching to transit for all my trips. I’ve saved tons of money, reduced my carbon footprint, learned how to get around the city by public transit, and had fun doing it.

In February last year my then boyfriend, now fiancé, moved in with me. We became a one-car couple, sort of. We never added me to his insurance policy, so I haven’t driven his car. Though I still take public transit, mostly MetroBus, there are many times he’d drive us places (store, dinner, etc). This week we bought a newer car together; we’re both on the loan, the registration, and insurance. He’ll be the primary driver since he works 5-7 days per week, but I’ll likely drive when we go places together.

Our 2007 Honda Civic EX will get much better fuel economy than the V-6 sedan he'd been driving
Our 2007 Honda Civic EX will get much better fuel economy than the V-6 sedan he’d been driving

Finding a car we liked that was eligible for a loan through our credit union wasn’t easy, they required it to be 2007 or newer or the interest rate would be substantially higher. They also wouldn’t lend on a car with more than 100,000 miles. We wanted a Honda or Toyota, but didn’t want to spend more than $9,000. With 90,000 miles, our Honda Civic EX met everyone’s criteria.

You’ll still see me riding MetroBus, but not as often.

— Steve Patterson

 

Poll: Paul McKee’s “Northside Regeneration” Project is Slowly Moving Foreword, Pick Your Top 5 Priorities

Please vote in the poll, located in the right sidebar
Please vote in the poll, located in the right sidebar

Paul McKee’s “Northside Regeneration”  has been controversial since before it became public, it has faced court challenges and has experienced delays. Now, however, it seems to be ready to move forward.

The question for the poll this week is what qualities should be priorities of the project?  Please select your top from from the list provided in the poll in the right sidebar.

— Steve Patterson

 

Poll: The Dress Code at Ballpark Village Is…

Please vote in the poll, located in the right sidebar
Please vote in the poll, located in the right sidebar

Officially, Ballpark Village (BPV) doesn’t have a dress code, but venues within BPV do. When announced last week it caused a uproar, and was revised to allow team jerseys even on non-game days. The poll this week wants to know your thoughts, here is the relevant information pulled from stlballparkvillage.com on Friday March 28, 2014:

 Ballpark Village:

No backpacks, loitering; no weapons; no panhandling; no solicitation; no disorderly conduct; no bicycles or skateboards; no professional photography cameras.

7 days per week anyone under the age of 18 is allowed admittance into Ballpark Village but must be accompanied by a legal guardian. After 9pm all guests must be 21 years old or older to gain admittance into Ballpark Village and its venues.

Ballpark Village does not have a dress code; however, please note that individual venues within Ballpark Village including Fox Sports Midwest Live! may utilize a dress code. Visit the individual venues’ website pages to familiarize yourself with their dress code policies. – See more at: http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/faqs#sthash.l2DNcs06.dpuf

Budweiser Brew House:

The following is not permitted under our dress code after 9pm: Main Level: sleeveless shirts on men, profanity on clothing, exposed undergarments on men, sweat pants, full sweat suits, excessively long shirts (when standing upright with arms at your side, the bottom of your shirt can not extend below the tip of your fingers), athletic shorts, excessively sagging pants or shorts, and bandanas. Second Level: the above list of prohibited articles of clothing and, in addition: jerseys (sleeved jerseys are permitted in conjunction with a Cardinals game or any other major St. Louis sporting event) and hats. Management reserves the right to deny entry or remove any individual who does not comply with the above dress code or the code of conduct. For any questions or concerns, please ask to speak to a manager. – See more at: http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/dining/dine/budweiser-brew-house#sthash.uFmvm3kE.dpuf

Cardinals Nation:

Cardinals Nation Guest Code of Conduct

The St. Louis Cardinals are committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and family friendly experience when fans visit Cardinals Nation. We expect fans who visit Cardinals Nation to observe the Ground Rules for Fans that we have in place at Busch Stadium. Our attire is baseball casual. No obscene or indecent clothing will be permited. – See more at: http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/dining/dine/cardinals-nation#sthash.D9GAnKr1.dpuf

Fox Sports Live Midwest:

The following is not permitted under our dress code after 9pm: sleeveless shirts on men, profanity on clothing, exposed undergarments on men, sweat pants, full sweat suits, excessively long shirts (when standing upright with arms at your side, the bottom of your shirt can not extendbelow the tip of your fingers), athletic shorts, excessively sagging pants or shorts, and bandanas. Management reserves the right to deny entry or remove any individual who does not comply with the above dress code or the code of conduct. For any questions or concerns, please ask to speak to a manager. – See more at: http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/dining/dine/fox-sports-midwest-live-#sthash.JU1HQKVT.dpuf

PBR St. Louis:

The following is not permitted under our dress code after 9pm: sleeveless shirts on men, profanity on clothing, exposed undergarments on men, sweat pants, full sweat suits, excessively long shirts (when standing upright with arms at your side, the bottom of your shirt can not extend below the tip of your fingers), jerseys (sleeved jerseys are permitted in conjunction with a cardinals game or any other major St. Louis sporting event), athletic shorts, excessively sagging pants or shorts, and bandanas. Management reserves the right to deny entry or remove any individual who does not comply with the above dress code or the code of conduct. For any questions or concerns, please ask to speak to a manager. – See more at: http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/dining/drink/pbr-st-louis#sthash.iCXUdBPH.dpuf

The Barn at PBR:

The following is not permitted under our dress code after 9pm: sleeveless shirts on men, profanity on clothing, exposed undergarments on men, sweat pants, full sweat suits, excessively long shirts (when standing upright with arms at your side, the bottom of your shirt can not extend below the tip of your fingers), jerseys (sleeved jerseys are permitted in conjunction with a cardinals game or any other major St. Louis sporting event), athletic shorts, excessively sagging pants or shorts, and bandanas. Management reserves the right to deny entry or remove any individual who does not comply with the above dress code or the code of conduct. For any questions or concerns, please ask to speak to a manager. – See more at: http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/dining/drink/the-barn-at-pbr#sthash.0DnS9ngX.dpuf

The Lounge:

The following is not permitted under our dress code after 9pm: sleeveless shirts on men, profanity on clothing, exposed undergarments on men, sweat pants, full sweat suits, excessively long shirts (when standing upright with arms at your side, the bottom of your shirt can not extend below the tip of your fingers), athletic shorts, excessively sagging pants or shorts, and bandanas. Management reserves the right to deny entry or remove any individual who does not comply with the above dress code or the code of conduct. For any questions or concerns, please ask to speak to a manager. – See more at: http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/dining/drink/the-lounge#sthash.N37rQy16.dpuf

The Skybox:

The following is not permitted under our dress code after 9pm: sleeveless shirts on men, profanity on clothing, exposed undergarments on men, sweat pants, full sweat suits, excessively long shirts (when standing upright with arms at your side, the bottom of your shirt can not extend below the tip of your fingers), athletic shorts, excessively sagging pants or shorts, and bandanas. Management reserves the right to deny entry or remove any individual who does not comply with the above dress code or the code of conduct. For any questions or concerns, please ask to speak to a manager. – See more at: http://www.stlballparkvillage.com/dining/drink/the-skybox#sthash.CvrSZ0p0.dpuf

The following BPV venues do not list any dress code:

The poll is in the right sidebar, I’ve provided a wide range of answers but you’re able to add your own.

— Steve Patterson

 

Poll: Metro’s 60ft articulated buses are completely rebuilt 2004 New Flyer models from Ottawa, costing $430k/ea vs $825k/ea new, reaction?

Friday Metro showed off the first of (15) 60-foot articulated buses that’ll be here by the end of summer, 5 will go into service on the busy #70 (Grand) MetroBus route on June 9th. St. Louis isn’t the only city that bought some of Ottawa’s 226 old articulated bus fleet. From March 2012:

Last week, Winnipeg Transit announced it wants to spend $1.1 million to purchase articulated buses at a discounted rate from New Flyer Industries, after Ottawa traded them in for new buses. The buses will cost $53,000 each, instead of the $625,000 they would cost brand-new.

In total, it will cost Winnipeg $2.2 million to buy and fix up the buses. (City committee in favour of buying articulated buses)

For years Metro has purchased new buses from Califiornia-based Gillig, but they still don’t offer an articulated bus. New Flyer, out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, has been offering articulated buses for years.

The first of 15 articulated buses, basically a 30ft bus with a 30ft trailer.
The first of 15 articulated buses, basically a 30ft bus with a 30ft trailer.
Interior of the rebuilt bus looks like a brand-new bus.
Interior of the rebuilt bus looks like a brand-new bus.

For more information, see Metro’s articulated bus fact sheet (PDF). These new buses are the subject for the poll this week, I’d like to get your thoughts. I’ve provided a range of answers, plus I’ve also set the poll so you can enter your own if you don’t like the ones provided. The poll is in the right sidebar.  Results and my views will be posted on Wednesday April 2nd.

— Steve Patterson

 

Poll: Great Rivers Greenway Bought Laclede’s Landing Property, Plans Park. Thoughts?

Last week the Great Rivers Greenway District announced it purchased property in the Laclede’s Landing area:

Feb. 27, 2014 (St. Louis) – With the transformation of the Riverfront and Gateway Arch grounds underway, the Great Rivers Greenway District is pleased to announce the purchase of a historic property that will provide a safer and more accessible connection between Laclede’s Landing and the revitalized Riverfront.

The lot is situated directly north of the Eads Bridge between First and Second streets on Laclede’s Landing. It is the site of the former Switzer Licorice Building, which was demolished in 2007.

“We are very pleased to have acquired this property,” says Susan Trautman, Executive Director of Great Rivers Greenway District. “Not only will it provide a universally accessible connection to the Arch grounds, it has the potential to create larger connections across the region and spur future development.”

The District aims to transform the property into a park or other compatible development offering food, restrooms, or other services to enhance the visitor experience while providing a seamless transition between the revitalized Gateway Arch grounds and Laclede’s Landing.

“The site offers endless possibilities for connection,” says Trautman. “It is steps away from the Eads Bridge Metrolink station, four blocks south of the North Riverfront Trail, and around the corner from the new trails being built on the Arch Grounds and along the Riverfront. It is fitting that the ‘front door’ of this property is a soaring arch beneath the historic Eads Bridge.”

The District purchased the property from St. John’s Bank for $350,000. The property’s appraised value was $390,000. 

Here’s the location:

The site of the former Switzer Building, recently purchased by Great Rivers Greenway, is shown with the red X. Click to view in Google Maps.
The site of the former Switzer Building, recently purchased by Great Rivers Greenway, is shown with the red X. Click to view in Google Maps.

This purchase has sparked debate. Some argue we have enough park space, especially with the Arch grounds on the other side of the Eads Bridge. Others are fine with the purchase, but they want to see new infill construction. Still others have suggested Laclede’s Landing is dead, so why bother? The poll question is in the right sidebar.

— Steve Patterson

 

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