St. Louis is Not Chicago

So many people say we are not Chicago. True, we are not. We don’t have the population density, the vibrant streets, the thousands of bike racks or Aldermen using the internet to communicate the relevant (albeit mundane) information to ward constituents.

Below are just three examples of ward websites from chicago’s 50 aldermen:
• Chicago’s Gene Schulter
• Chicago’s Helen Shiller
• Chicago’s Burton Natarus

I don’t want to transform St. Louis into Chicago but I think we can learn a few lessons but looking outside the boundaries of our wards and our city limits. Chicago’s aldermen are taking that extra step to use the internet to keep their constituents informed of issues and meetings.

St. Louis’ current system of keeping constituents informed is for aldermen to attend the various neighborhood meetings and give a city hall update to the few people present. Little information is actually communicated – no visuals, no maps, no links to other resources. If you didn’t make it to the meeting you are out of luck. You might get some of the information in a neighborhood newsletter a month or two later – if you are on their mailing list.

The Board of Alderman has 15 standing committees. Do you know what committees your alderman serves on? Do you know when those committees meet? Do you know issues are before those committees? If you read the City Journal each week you might have a clue. But, the City Journal is an official public notice document and therefore not exactly written in english.

A Board Bill indicating the parcel number and city block number to be changed from zoning classification B to F doesn’t mean much to most people. However, a photo of the proposed property along with a street address actually means something to most people. One provides the requirement for a legal notice while the other would actually communicate meaningful information to the people that deserve to know.

My campaign is about bringing fresh thinking to the 25th ward and entire City of St. Louis. Moving the level of communications between city hall and constituents into the 21st century is just one example.

– Steve

A Tale of Two Alleys

Alleys are one of the areas most often mentioned to me as I am campaigning.

This alley (above) was resurfaced in 2004. In fact, many of the alleys in Alderman Ken Ortman’s 9th-Ward were resurfaced over the last few years. Ortman stated last week at the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Association meeting he has been focusing on alley repair over the last 6 years – asking the Streets department to not resurface residential streets so money could be used on alley repair & resurfacing.




Now we cross the street to see the alley above from the 25th Ward. Hardly the worst (or best) alley in the 25th Ward it is clear when you stand in the middle the street and look in opposite directions that one alley has had recent attention and the other has not.



A closer look shows you a recess which holds water and debris. Weeds grow easily through the bricks.



Former patches look unsightly.

It is time to take alley condition seriously and address problems head on! If Ortman can manage to make substantial improvements to the alleys in his ward year after year then we can do that as well in the 25th Ward. Unfortunately, we are six years behind him in the process.

– Steve

McDonalds May Move Across Grand to Former Sears Site

A few years ago now the old Sears store on S. Grand near Chippewa became a pile of rubble. The massive parking lot to become new in-fill housing in a development known as Keystone Place by Pyramid Construction.

Fast forward today and you see more vacant lots than new houses. The city’s website says that as of August 2003 12 out of a possible 27 have been sold. But, the purpose of this post is not to critique what when wrong at this site. i’ll have to save those thoughts for another day. This post is to tell you that word on the street is McDonald’s located at the NW corner of Grand & Chippewa may move to the old Sears site at the SE corner of Grand & Winnebego.

I’m thinking if I really wanted to kick start sales of the home lots backing to this vacant parcel the very last thing I’d put there would be a McDonald’s complete with bright lights and fumes from cars in the drive-thru lane.

Alderwoman Jennifer Florida inherited the Keystone Place during redistricting a few years ago. Nothing seems to have changed.

A new McDonald’s combined with the windowless International Institute will really liven up this part of Grand – not. Why they didn’t add any windows during their renovation and, I don’t know, place an entrance on the public side of the building? I have no clue what they were thinking. The Blockbuster with front parking and Aldi across the street certainly don’t help the area.

The current McDonald’s isn’t exactly an asset. The parking lot takes up the corner and the extra wide street with right turn lane makes crossing Grand by foot a major chore. Access to the drive-thru lane is off Chippewa and a hassle for most. I can see why McDonald’s would want a better location.

So why put the McDonald’s here – on the SE corner of Grand & Chippewa on the corner of what was a former National grocery store? It is already a dreadful corner so the McDonald’s won’t make it any worse. That leaves the old Sears site a block North vacant for something more urban – with a building up to the street and any parking behind.

– Steve

Fold & Staple Party Thursday

I’m having a “Fold & Staple” party Thursday 2/3/05 (7pm-9pm) to get my signs ready for placement in yards. If you would like to volunteer to help with this task or many others please send me an email or call my cell phone 314-479-5023.

– Steve

Fold & Staple Party Thursday

I’m having a “Fold & Staple” party Thursday 2/3/05 (7pm-9pm) to get my signs ready for placement in yards. If you would like to volunteer to help with this task or many others please send me an email or call my cell phone 314-479-5023.

– Steve