Readers: Open Streets is a Good Idea

Readers think St. Louis’ “Open Streets” is a good idea, I personally fall into the second group on last week’s poll:

Q: St. Louis’ “Open Streets” events a good idea?

1. Yes, it gets people outdoors 44 [61.11%]
2. Yes, in theory more than practice 19 [26.39%]
3. No 4 [5.56%]
4. Unsure/no opinion 4 [5.56%]
5. Other: 1 [1.39%] “Yes, it lets people see urban STL from a different view.“

If these continue hopefully the city will learn and improve. Some of the crew hired to work the last one didn’t even know what the event was — I had to explain it.

The next event, the last for 2011, will be held on Saturday October 29th. This will differ from past events by being held from 3pm-9pm, rather than in the morning. As you might expect, it will have a Halloween theme.

Closing the street in front of numerous gay bars on the Saturday before Halloween? That’s like closing roads to the mall the day after Thanksgiving. Open Streets is over at 9pm so hopefully Manchester will be opened quickly — and barricades won’t block pedestrian access.

Weather permitting, I will do this event.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: Does Retailing Have a Future at St. Louis Union Station?

When St. Louis Union Station reopened in 1985 the festival marketplace retail concept was all the rage.

But early optimism about retail at St. Louis Union Station faded as national chains gave way to smaller and smaller retailers, now many of those have left as well:

Visitors to St. Louis Union Station can still get a caricature drawn of their likeness, buy various Arch-themed tchotchkes and get a free sample of fudge and a song to go along with it.

But two longtime fixtures in the historic landmark — Houlihan’s and Key West Cafe — recently left the station. And the Bud Shop, which peddles an assortment of Budweiser-related mugs and memorabilia, is on its way out, too.

[snip]

The departures add to the uncertainty about the future of the venue — most notably the question of who will own it. The current owner, Union Station Holdings LLC, is seeking to sell the property. Bids are due Nov. 10.

“There’s no question it has fallen on harder times,” said St. Louis-based consultant Richard Ward with Zimmer Real Estate Services. “I think it’s in for some serious change, but I don’t know what the change might be.” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Union Station’s retail has been continuously falling on “hard times” the entire twenty-one years I’ve been in St. Louis! I missed the first five years, likely the best years.

I have to wonder the future of such retail venues. The Marriott Hotel is doing well though — expanding into the midway space. The Grand Hall is a stunning space.

I’ve made Union Station the poll topic this week, see right sidebar.

– Steve Patterson

Readers Supportive of Lyda Krewson’s Pet Bill, Disagree on Specifics

Last week readers were supportive of a proposed bill:

Q: Should St. Louis require pet owners to spay, neuter & microchip their pets?

1. Yes on spay/neuter & microchip 40 [42.11%]
2. No! 18 [18.95%]
3. Yes on spay/neuter but no on microchip 16 [16.84%]
4. Yes on microchip but no on spay/neuter 13 [13.68%]
5. unsure/no opinion 4 [4.21%]
6. Other: 4 [4.21%]

Readers weren’t in agreement on the requirements as the above show. The following are the four other answers:

1. How about the strict regulations on rampant dog breeders?…Oh wait
2. Microchip or collar required, spay/neuter any pet that goes outdoors.
3. yes, spay/neuter & microchip however, spay/neuter waiver for licensed breeders
4. I support the requirment and the fee option.

Yesterday I began the process of getting a cat, the last time was 23 years ago. I’ve been without Felix now for 6-7 years and much has changed. Last time I got a young kitten from a vet — he was neutered but not microchipped. Did they even have microchips in the 1980s?

My next cat will be from The Animal House Fund and for $125 will be spayed/neutered and will be microchipped. I will spend the rest of 2011 getting all the supplies I need to have the proper conditions for a cat before I make a final decision on a cat to adopt in early 2012.

Twenty-three years ago I just took a kitten home without any prep.  Now AHF will actually  make a visit to my home before the adoption is finalized, a very good practice.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: St. Louis’ “Open Streets” Events a Good Idea?

Yesterday I did the Open Streets event in Old North. I saw people I knew, enjoyed the beautiful weather, etc. But as I wrote yesterday, these just highlight the fact that many of our streets aren’t good for walking or cycling.

In terms of cycling, most city streets are more than fine though. If anything, they are too wide which encourages motorists to drive too fast. But events like Open Streets does encourage people to get out where they might not otherwise do so.

The sidewalks in Old North can be iffy but I know those along North Market are good — I only had to go two blocks east from the bus stop at N. Florissant Ave. However, I barely had enough room to get around the SUV shown above.

I did manage to take quite a few pictures on my hour round trip. That’s not sufficient reason to close streets for four and a half hours. The poll question this week wants to see what you think of Open Streets — a good idea? The poll is in the right sidebar.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: Should St. Louis Require Pet Owners To Spay, Neuter & Microchip Their Pets?

Dogs & cats are getting caught in political debates lately in St. Louis.

One attempt to control the animal population is Board Bill 107. From July:

The bill, introduced by Central West End Alderman Lyda Krewson, comes as part of a citywide effort to reform animal control laws and crack down on the owners of thousands of city strays overwhelming the region’s animal shelters.

Yet, in the same meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee, aldermen narrowly rejected sending $250,000 in taxpayer donations to the city’s nonprofit dog shelter, Stray Rescue — a move that threatens the already rocky relationship between the city and the nonprofit’s founder, Randy Grim. (STLtoday.com)

The bill stalled at the Board of Aldermen before they went on summer recess.  From September 21st:

​A bill under consideration in the St. Louis Board of Aldermen could make St. Louis one of the most restrictive cities in the nation when it comes to owning cats and dogs.

Board Bill 107 would require all pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs and cats and microchip them for identification. Those who don’t want to sterilize their pets would be assessed a fee of $200 per year. (RFT)

I’m not a pet owner so I’m not directly impacted. Still I thought this was a good topic for a weekly poll.  Vote in the poll in the right sidebar. Results will be published on Wednesday Oct 12, 2011.

– Steve Patterson