Readers: Racial & Economic Segregation are Problems in St. Louis

Few topics garner such diverse perspectives than race relations. The poll last week was simple; “How Racially Segregated is St. Louis?“

1. Racial segregation is a major problem 61 [28.91%]
2. Economic segregation is worse than racial segregation 49 [23.22%]
3. People are free to live where they like, minorities often self-segregate 44 [20.85%]
4. Racial segregation is an issue 42 [19.91%]
5. Other answer… 9 [4.27%]
6. Racial segregation isn’t an issue 5 [2.37%]
7. No opinion. 1 [0.47%]

The #3 answer (above) of self-segregation can mask larger issues such as long-standing realities that make harmony a challenge. As a white male I can’t possibly know how a black male might feel about the subject.  As a gay man I can tell you the city is very welcoming, but the two are not related.

The nine other answers were:

1. Racial segregation is no worse in St. Louis than any other major American city.
2. Economic segregation and racial segregation are one and the same in St. Louis
3. Racism and ignorance is deeply ingrained here.
4. Depends on neighborhood, but the tension is awful here.
5. Ethnic groups self segregate the world over. Get a clue.
6. In St. Louis, some areas integrate harmoniously, others *definitely* don’t
7. Like LKB24 say: Even the integrated parts of StL are segregated.
8. why call it segregation – some prefer a homogeneous environment
9. It’s less of a problem than 20-30 years ago

Enough people see a problem that it demands closer attention.

– Steve Patterson

St. Louis Natives vs. Newbies

Last week I posted the following as my status on Facebook:

“I’ve got a couple of friends who are new to St. Louis. Ray & John arrived about the same time, one from SF, one from NYC. The other night at The Royale John was talking about how great the street grid is here! It is just so nice talking to non-natives because they tend to “get it” more than those born here.”

In a short amount of time a heated discussion broke out among my friends, getting nearly 50 comments very quickly.  My original point that those not from here don’t “get it” like those that move here as adults got lost in a debate about St. Louis vs. Kansas City.

Over the weekend a friend told me of a woman from West County that was certain she’d be shot and killed driving to the federal building downtown. In law enforcement, she had a weapon and was planning to wear Kevlar.  She doesn’t like going east of Lindbergh Blvd. Amazing people think like this!?!

Those new to St. Louis, especially those from more urban areas, seek out the urban areas of St. Louis whereas suburbanites often, but not always, fear urban areas. I’m dumbfounded each time I hear stories of people my age living in the region who are afraid to enter the city limits. So I often seek out those who move here from outside the region because it is all new to them.  I get to share my favorite restaurants & pubs, talking about architecture, the street grid — the raw potential.

My two new friends came here for work.  Had they found work in other cities they wouldn’t be here.  But they are quick learners, getting to know our people and institutions better than many who have lived here for years.

I know many natives, of course, who get it, who seek out urbanity rather than fear it.  I love my conversations with them as well but the thrill of introducing a newbie to gems in St. Louis is such fun.  I want them to tell their friends on the coasts of the potential here, the friendly people, the inexpensive cost of living, etc.  Each one needs to get several friends to visit with one deciding to move here.  Eventually it will snowball.  100,000 new residents from each coast would do the trick.

The ratio of natives to newbies would shift and so would the political winds. Sure, it will take a while, but I’m not going anywhere.

– Steve Patterson

Parking Garage Contributes to Dead Zone

Continuing my look at the vast dead pocket of downtown St. Louis that is north of Washington Ave and west of the convention center.  Last week I looked at buildings at 10th & Convention Plaza (formerly Delmar).  See posts from Tuesday & Friday.

The blocks between Lucas Ave and Cole St are an unfriendly zone between the residential neighborhood north of Cole and the improving core of downtown. This garage is the only structure on the block bounded by 9th on the east, Martin Luther King Dr on the south, 10th on the west & Cole  on the north (aerial)

Cities can handle poor planning here and there, but multi-block areas just can’t be absorbed.  These must be redone.  That doesn’t mean raze everything within the area and start over, just take a close look at the area and plan for fixes to the problems.  Changes to zoning & sign codes would eventually improve the area.

I suggest a detailed look and the issues in the small area bounded by th, Lucas Ave, Hadley & Cole.  Both sides of the boundary streets would be included in the evaluation because the blank wall of the convention center along 9th is dreadful.  A larger downtown plan can’t address this area at the level of detail it needs.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: How good of a job does the City of St. Louis do at snow removal?

The poll question this week is: How good of a job does the City of St. Louis do at snow removal?  The poll is located in the upper right corner of the blog.

Add any comments you have below.

– Steve

Police HQ Moving

KSDK is reporting the St. Louis Police have purchased a downtown building to allow the relocation of their headquarters:

The City of St. Louis and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are putting money seized from criminal activity to good use. Nearly $3 million in confiscated monies was used to purchase a new police headquarters in downtown St. Louis. (full story)

There has been talk about the Police buying this building for a while, one reason I had a picture ready to go. Still unknown is what will happen with the existing police hq on Clark dating from 1920?

bIn June 2009 contributor Jim Zavist wrote a piece What to do with Police HQ? looking at the issues then facing the police board.

– Steve Patterson