Another Reason to Hate Suburbia – Finding an Address

Today I went out to visit a loan officer I work with at Gorman & Gorman. Unfortunately for this city guy, they are located out in the Westport area. I had the address and knew where to go, 11960 Westline Industrial Drive.

I turn off of Westport Drive onto Westline and I see signage for the ‘12000 Building’:

I failed to notice the listing of Gorman & Gorman on the sign as I drove by. I get to the next building and see 11920. OK, I’ve missed it. Turning back I deduce that the 12000 Building must be located at 11960 – brilliant! Pulling into the parking lot I can barely make out from a distance the correct number on the awning at the entry. At lease urban buildings are close enough to the street that you can usually make out the street address.

So the building’s owner either decided the ‘11960 Building’ wasn’t a good building name or they couldn’t convince the post office to give them the street address 12000 Westline Industrial Drive.

Entering the building through the main entrance (above) I discover this is actually a three story building – you enter on floor two. I know this happens sometimes but it is just weird to enter a building on a floor other than one. Especially in a basically flat area. Yes, I realize the tenants on the ground floor want a suite number that sounds dignified so anything other than something like Suite 110 wouldn’t cut it.

I was so glad when my trip to suburbia was over and I was able to return to the city! It the city we don’t have address issues like the one above. Of course, we do have that one business located at One Jefferson Avenue yet no entrance on Jefferson (Note: this linked post from November 2004 contains lots of four letter words).

– Steve

25th Ward Street & Alley Repaving Program

During the recent election Alderman Kirner sent out a piece of literature which said:

I look forward to seeing this “Street & Alley Repaving Program.” Hopefully we will receive a copy at an upcoming neighborhood meeting or on Alderman Kirner’s website.

My questions are:
• The time between the survey being mailed and the piece promoting the plan was only two weeks. Was this sufficient time to receive back surveys and develop a plan?
• Does the plan only cover those streets and alleys where residents returned surveys?

After reading the plan I may have additional questions such as expected time frame, were alternatives to repaving (such as repairing alleys as advocated by Alderman Craig Schmid) given any consideration and overall costs.

Alderman Kirner can be contacted at:
Home (314) 351-5346
City Hall (314) 622-3287
Fax (314) 622-4273
Via email

I will share additional views after reviewing the program in detail.

– Steve

Public Hearing for Day Care Center on Virginia

A public hearing will be held next week regarding a proposed Day Care center at 4657 Virginia. If you have strong feelings for or against the conditional use zoning for a day care center now is your chance to be heard:

PUBLIC NOTICE-A Conditional Use Hearing will be held in Room 208 City Hall at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2005, on the following conditional uses:


4657 Virginia-#AO328491-05-Day Care (8, infants and 12, 2 1/2 – 12 yrs) M-F 6A-Midnight (1st Floor)-“F” Neighborhood Commercial District. Ward 25

You can also share your views with Alderman Kirner at:
Home (314) 351-5346
City Hall (314) 622-3287
Fax (314) 622-4273
Via email

You may also want to contact Mary Hart, Zoning Administrator for the Building Division:
Room 400, City Hall
1200 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 622-3666
Fax: (314) 552-7617

I think this is a great building – I love how the front wall is parallel to the street and thus not perpendicular to the side walls. With any store front space, I’m concerned about how the space interacts with the street. Too often these spaces are not open to the sidewalk to create a lively streetscape.

– Steve

Sunday: Pasta Dinner & Gaslight Square

Dolphin Bicycle Club – 4th Annual Pasta Dinner

Proceeds Benefit:
Compton Drew ILC’s Dolphin Bicycle Club After-School Program featuring after-school rides 5 times per week and overnight adventures to Principia College in Elsah IL and to Jefferson City on the Katy Trail.

Italian salad, Italian bread, drink, dessert & all the pasta you can eat!

Sunday March 13th, 2005; 11:30am – 6:00pm

Compton Drew ILC is located at 5130 Oakland next door to the St. Louis Science Center and just south of Forest Park.  So bring your bike for a ride before or after you eat (bike parking available).

Tickets: $6 in advance or $7 at the door  /  $3 children at door only

Gaslight Square: Live Reading

What: Live reading of “Gaslight Square: An Oral History“
When: Sunday, March 13, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Mangia Italiano, 3145 So. Grand, (314) 664-8585
How much: Free
Info: mangiapromo at yahoo dot com

A live reading of “Gaslight Square: An Oral History” will take place at Mangia Italiano this weekend, with an eclectic range of folks reading the thoughts of Gaslight Square alumni. We’ll be matching up people by interest and occupation.

Among those taking part: Bryan Hoskins, Halley Moore, Tony Miller, Stefene Russell, Julie Layton, Julia Smillie, Steven Smith, Kent Shaw, Christian Saller and Tim O’Connell.

Info on “Gaslight Square: An Oral History” by Thomas Crone can be found at the publisher’s website: www.williamandjosephpress.com.

25th Ward News & Events

This site is being transformed into a 25th Ward Newsletter. Stay tuned as the site evolves over the next month.

– Steve