What happened to the new McDonald’s?

After months of controversy over McDonald’s moving from its current location at the NW corner of Grand and Chippewa to the SE corner of Grand & Winnebego we’ve seen no evidence of anything moving forward. Not that I want the drive-thru moved adjacent to the homes in the Gravois Park neighborhood, but we were all given the impression that time was of the essence.

It has been nearly 3 months since the city’s Board of Adjustment denied an appeal by residents to prevent the McDonald’s from being built. Pyramid Construction was supposed to do a land swap with McDonald’s but a quick check of records for 3708 S. Grand indicates Pyramid Construction is still the property owner. The same records also indicate building permit application #358646 to construction the restaurant remains open, the permit has not yet been issued. With all the administrative hurdles jumped I just can’t imagine why three months would pass without construction starting.

It would appear that someone involved in the deal isn’t going forward. The parties are Pyramid Construction, McDonald’s corporate, the franchise operator and deal maker Ald. Jennifer Florida.

If the deal has gone south now is our chance to work as a community to envision what this street could look like. If you go back to my post from a couple of weeks ago using Photoshop to show incremental changes we can hopefully do a similar treatment for South Grand. If McDonald’s is staying where they are and the empty site at Winnebego is to remain empty or get another plan we need to bring everyone together to work on good solutions that are a fit for the community.

How to Run for Local Office

My last post, from earlier today, was an attempt to encourage you to run for local office — mostly the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. As I wrote the piece I realized the learning curve is quite high for first time candidates and local political groups such as the City Democrats are not about helping other get elected to office — they themselves are waiting in line until someone moves up the food chain, retires, or dies. So how do we improve our knowledge so that more are encouraged to seek office? Well, we start with a Google search.

In doing so I found an excellent site devoted to educating and training grassroots candidates:

Root Camp™ is a grassroots educational and training resource program supported by Grassroots For America, in conjunction with Latinos for America and is designed to help educate, empower and engage everyday citizens to be active in and influence community involvement in the political process on a local, regional and national level. By using Root Camp’s open-source tools and resources we can ultimately provide every citizen activist with the tools they need and we can do it in a time, energy and financial friendly manner.

Conceived as a grassroots training resource “seeding” program, Root Camp™ networks with grassroots leaders and organizers and works to connect them through out the progressive community and local political party activism. Root Camp™ is also a place where activists can find information useful in navigating the sometimes intimidating roads of political engagement.

The have produced some highly detailed materials including their Root Camp™ Training 101 and Root Camp™ Training 201. Both are excellent resources and will give you a good understanding of how to get started and what to do as you get closer to election day. The have additional materials in their tools and resources section.

I also found an interesting site called Creative America which is training creative types to seek office. They don’t offer much in the way of online resources but the site and concept is interesting. From that site I ran across a quote from the commencement address given last year at Stanford University by Apple CEO Steve Jobs:

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960’s, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

A good message from both Jobs and Brand. As Jobs said, “don’t be trapped by dogma.” And as people tell you it is foolish to run for office just smile and and know that perhaps we’d all benefit if more people were foolish enough to follow their heart.

I found a few additional resources such as the GrassrootsPedia and a book, which I have not read, called How to Run for Local Office.

Start with the open-source materials from Root Camp™ above first. Once you’ve consumed and understood that move on to other sources such as books. In the meantime I will work on putting together specifics applicable to our local situation as a supplement to the materials linked here.

• St. Louis Board of Election
• Missouri Ethics Commission; Be sure to view the materials in the Brochures and General Info section on some how-to info for reporting.

How Representative is St. Louis City Government of our Population

I’ve never been much of a numbers person but in grad school we’ve been looking closely at the 1990 and 2000 census for the City of St. Louis and the St. Louis region (site 1 and site 2). Many have theorized about the meaning of these numbers but I want to look at if those we have elected represent us in terms of race, age and other factors.

My goal is not to get into a big debate about racial make-up and what that means. It is clear from the city’s chart at right that the city is pretty much black and white. We are not a melting pot. Our city is 95% white & black. Still, we have a large asian and hispanic population, both of which I believe are on the rise. Through some methodology I don’t understand at this point, hispanics are classified in an “ethnicity” category separate from race. Hispanics are a hair over 2% of the population, presumably classified as “white” on the question of race.

Two aldermanic seats is equal to 7.1% of the population. I think we are just about there with asian, hispanics and others such as native american. Not that I want to create quotas or rig districts to create a couple of seats reserved for a certain race or ethnicity but our elected officials do not send the melting pot image to the world.

Currently blacks hold 12 of 28 seats, or just under 43%. This while having over 51% of the population in 2000. To be truly representative of who we are I could see blacks having an additional two seats on the board of aldermen.

Of course, these two seats plus the other two seats that, at least theoretically should be occupied by say an asian and a hispanic, would come at the expense of seats held by whites (current 16 down to 12). I could see a Bosnian person holding one of the remaining 12 white seats.

Currently nine aldermen are women (Alderwomen, Alderpersons). This is 32% of the total number of seats yet women made up 53% of our population in 2000.

I think what these numbers show is the composition of who is representing us doesn’t quite jive with our actually demographic make-up. Must we force these 28 seats to look like us? No. Can we conclude that our political system is heavily weighted toward white men? Yes, I think we can. And yes, duh!

Nearly 16% of our population in 2000 was comprised of adults aged 25-34 and another 27% ages 35-54. Are four of our aldermen under age 34? Another seven between 35-54? I don’t know their ages but I don’t think so. Just under 21% of our population in 2000 was 55 and older (which would represent 5-6 seats). The remaining 36% were 24 and younger (25 is the minimum age to run for alderman). Of course, someone has to represent those under age 25. Not only is our board of aldermen comprised of white men it is comprised of an age group that is smaller in number compared to younger groups. A number of current aldermen were elected while in their 20s or early 30s so it can be done.

But Steve, you are white male, you say. Yes, yes I am. I’m also openly gay, yet another group not represented at city hall. What is our gay population? 10%? What about 10.7%? Well, that would equate to 3 seats on the Board of Aldermen! Now, I’m not holding my breath until we’ve got three openly gay representatives at City Hall, but I’d like to see us have at least one openly gay alderman by 2009.

I would love to see a more diverse group of candidates seeking the office of alderman in the Spring 2007 elections, in the Democratic primary as well as in the general election. Where are the Republicans, Green, Libertarian and independent candidates? Where are the foreign born (that have been citizens for 5 years) the hispanics and the asians? Come on folks, we need to bring a more diverse viewpoint to city hall.

In the 2007 elections the even numbered wards are up for election, 8 are held by whites while 6 are held by blacks (yes, it was worked out that half of each would be up re-election so that it was not skewed either way). Only three of these 14 seats are held by women, one black and two white. Six white males will presumably be seeking re-election. Of these six Craig Schmid (D-20th Ward) probably has one of the most racially diverse wards with good doses of white, black and hispanics. While I seldom agree with Schmid on planning & development strategies I will concede that he is very passionate about doing his best to represent his constituents. Note: many other aldermen may be passionate as well but I’ve had more interaction with Schmid over the years so I’m able to characterize him better than an alderman that I’ve never even met. My point is a white male is seeking re-election in a very diverse ward. Do we re-elect him because of his past performance, ideas and work ethic or do we look to someone to help diversify the board of alderman? Your call.

We’ve had a good many immigrants since the 2000 census so it will be interesting to see from the 2010 census how our makeup has changed. Have whites continued to leave this city? Those elected in 2009, and potentially those elected in 2007 (if re-elected in 2011), will help create the new ward boundaries that will take us clear into 2021. These next two aldermanic cycles, first for even wards in 2007 and odd numbered in 2009, will have a long-term affect on our future.

Thinking about running? I want to help, even if you are a straight white male. Just try to find the most basic of information, such as when can I file to run for alderman, on the Board of Elections website. Go ahead, I dare you. Guess what, it is not there. You’d think the entity responsible for running elections in this city would provide a minimum of information on how to actually seek public office. You and me, the common people, are not supposed to know this information. Ssssshhhh, this is top secret stuff important to ensuring the longevity of their political careers. If people knew how and when to run for office they might actually do so, and then where would we be?

I will be doing a series of posts on some of the basics — when the filing period opens and closes, how to file, what are the costs, how to get organized, etc. This will likely lead into a workshop or two where you can seek out more information on grassroots campaigning. A little disclaimer, I am not even remotely close to an expert in this area but I may well be the only one willing to share what I do know in a public forum. Also, this does not mean I will support your candidacy over an incumbent or another candidate — I simply want to de-mystify the process so that more people will consider running.

Here are a few starting points. If you want to run in a ward you need to have lived there a year before the election. So, if you don’t already live in an even numbered ward don’t even think you can move and run in March 2007. The filing for the March 2007 will open in November (I don’t know the exact date) and it will close in January 2007 (again, I don’t yet know the exact date). I will get this detail at a starting point for the next post on guiding newbie candidates.

Youth on Bike Hit by Motorist

Tonight, on my way home, I witnessed something I never thought I would: a youth on a bicycle getting hit by a car. I could see it about to happen and I was helpless to prevent it. As someone trained as a bicycle safety instructor (League Cycling Instructor is the proper title) we hope to prevent such accidents from happening, not be a witness to them.

I ask that you keep the youth in your thoughts. I can think about nothing else.

I don’t want to go into any of the specifics of the accident. In short the kid completely disregarded the traffic signals (Grand & Chippewa). I was heading South on Grand and I saw the kid crossing the intersection even though those of us on Grand had the right away. A northbound car struck him. I was on my scooter and was able to stop right there — others ran from their cars to the boy. While others attended to the boy (making sure not to move him) I called 911 (it appears others did as well). At first we all thought the car left but I think it took him a second to figure out what happened — the driver couldn’t have seen the kid crossing in his path until the moment of impact. The driver was understandably shaken. After giving my statement to the police the paramedics were about to take the youth to the hospital.

Please, everyone, if you have children teach them how to cycle properly. Don’t let them out on the street without a helmet (and properly adjusted). Yes, as kids we all rode our bikes without helmets and we survived. Well, not all survive. Don’t let them out on the street by themselves at 10pm at night —- on a bike or otherwise. If they are bicycling at night lighting is critical. Bicycling can be safe and enjoyable but only if done properly.

Many members of the St. Louis Bicycle Federation are also trained as an LCI (League Cycling Instructor), perhaps we can put together some local youth training sessions. I’ve already alerted this group to the accident.

Here are a couple of good sites to learn how to teach your kid to properly ride a bike:

•Bike Safety
•Safety City

I ask that you take the time to teach your kids about bike safety. Don’t have any? Teach your niece or nephew or have a conversation with the parents down the block.

Peace,

Steve

Loughborough Commons On Par with Most Development, Speaks Poorly of Our Standards

Today I’ve got a somewhat random collection of thoughts on the sprawl-centric Loughborough Commons development in south city. If you are tired of this subject, just stop reading now. Otherwise, here we go.

Loughborough Commons, for all its many faults, is on par with most newer development in the city and region. That is both reality and a sad statement of fact. What does this say about us as a region that we care so little about creating worthwhile public spaces, not just private developments with literal acres of asphalt with as much as a tree to break it up. Instead of being happy about a new grocery store we should be concerned, as tax payers, that our government has failed to deliver a project worthy of the incentives given.

The city has a Planning & Urban Design Agency but if they were involved in the project they failed miserably to guide the project to a point where they should not all be fired. If they were not consulted on such as massive project (30+ acres, $14 million in tax incentives) then I would wonder why Ald. Villa didn’t bring in their expertise. Either way something is wrong with how this got built.

The one difference in Loughborough Commons and all the other poorly planned projects is this: I personally spoke face-to-face with Ald. Matt Villa and engineer Dennice Kowelmann prior to starting construction and voiced my concerns about the design and pedestrian access. While I can (and likely will) criticize other projects such as the new 58-acre Dierberg’s development in Edwardville IL, I feel more connected to this one because I tried to make a difference before a single bit of dirt was moved.

This week’s Suburban Journal article on Loughborough Commons read more like a press release than a balanced article. Not addressed is the lack of pedestrian access from the entrance closest to neighboring houses, off Grand. Here is the headline, subheading and relevant quote:

Lowe’s to open in month at Loughborough Commons: Pedestrian access planned after Schnuck’s demolition.`

A spokesman for The DESCO Group, developer of the shopping center, said sidewalks will be added after the old Schnuck’s and its parking lot is torn down. The sidewalk will be where the old Schnuck’s entrance is.
“The development’s not finished yet,” Steve Houston said. “There will be a sidewalk for pedestrian access to that development.”

Sidewalk, singular. As I mentioned on a post on the 1st of the month, their site plan does show a sidewalk abutting the east side of the new entrance off Loughborough. This will be useful to those coming from the current bus stop (assuming it doesn’t get relocated, and those walking from the east side of I-55 along Loughborough. This will do little for those that live west of Loughborough Commons and nothing for those that live near the southwest corner of the project, arguably the greatest number of potential pedestrians. See the next segment for more on this issue.

The red section in the middle of the image at right is Loughborough Commons. The two green dots along the edge represent the two entrances to the site. The blue section in the upper left is the old public school greenhouse site that will soon be developed by Rolwes Homes and C.F. Vatterott and containing a total of 125 units. These will be comprised of 33 detached single family homes, 44 attached townhouses and 48 condos. I will do a review of this project at another time.

As we can see, four streets dead end at Loughborough Commons. Rather than connect to the adjacent neighborhood the projects turns it back to the neighborhood so that it can face the highway. Drivers speeding by at 70mph are seemingly more important than someone living a block away. With only two entrances into the 30+ acre site those walking from adjacent residences have limited choices. The DESCO Group and Ald. Matt Villa are doing damage control by saying they will have pedestrian access but that is only for half the entrance off Loughborough. Those near the south entrance off Grand get squat.

In the world of sprawl development a single token sidewalk is usually sufficient in the minds of the developer (and Ald. Villa in this case). It is clear that careful consideration was not given to bringing in pedestrians from the surrounding area. With the new development just two blocks away is it shameful they will not have direct access to the local grocery store via a short walk down Blow, Roswell or Robert.

It should be noted that Loughborough Commons is in the 11th Ward (Ald. Matt Villa) while the old greenhouse site is in the 12th Ward (Ald. Fred Heitert), Eugene Street is the dividing line. Aldermanic courtesy would have prevented Heitert from questioning the development in an adjacent ward even though it is only a block away from his ward.

This morning carts were completely blocking the sidewalk heading to the south toward Lowe’s. We could argue, I suppose, the Lowe’s is not yet open but there is parking in use in that direction. I’ve also seen workers from Lowe’s attempting to walk to the Schnuck’s having to navigate around the planned obstacles (planting areas) and unplanned obstacles (excess shopping carts). These carts are chained together and locked.

At other times I’ve the carts have been gone from the same area, most likely when the store is busier and more carts are needed. Still, pedestrian circulation within a project should not be dependent upon something like how many shopping carts are in use. This picture and the one above are both off the south entrance to the new store but the same situation is happening on the other side.

This morning a few carts were partially blocking the walkway that right now along connects to a number of accessible (ADA) parking spaces. This walk, however, will at some point be continued as part of The DESCO Group’s planned pedestrian access. So, it is fair to say this bit of sidewalk is part of the main and only planned pedestrian access point to get to the grocery store. And today it was being used for cart storage.

You might say these carts were simply left overs from those using the accessible parking. And such an argument may have some validity. However, this would demonstrate a lack of good planning to anticipate that those using these parking spaces would have carts and need a place to put them out of the way of the main pedestrian path to the nearest grocery store.

The other day, when the south walkway was open, the north walkway was completely blocked. Carts are cabled together and part of the chain is on the sidewalk creating a potential hazzard. Toward the end of the walk, more carts completely close off the end. I watched as a woman parked on the other side of the white van had to walk in the development’s main driveway to get to her vehicle.

Again, this little bit of sidewalk is part only planned pedestrian path from the public street (Loughborough) to the entrance of the Schnuck’s store. Ald. Villa and The DESCO Group can say “it’s not finished” all they want to but their actions speak volumes. Pedestrian movement, even those using ADA spaces, are given very little to no consideration.

One of the items cited as a reason for blighting for this project was the site of the Schnuck’s store, built as a National store, was used for industrial purposes. From the report:

The site of the Schnucks grocery store was previously utilized for decades for industrial uses. During the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s the site was occupied by the St. Louis Machine Tool Company. In the 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s it was occupied by a paint manufacturing company. As a result, site remediation will be necessary.

That is interesting since immediately following the opening of the new store workers began removing the old asphalt and transferring tons of dirt from another area of the development site. the image at right was taken earlier today. The old parking lot lights, still working, are simply being buried. Was the contamination limited of this site limited to strictly where the current building is located? Did they manage to decontaminate overnight? Or was site contamination simply a smoke screen to get tax incentives. You can be assured that I will be requesting proof from various local agencies for documentation on the remediation efforts.

These pictures and a few more can all be viewed as larger images in a set on my Flickr account.

As stated at the beginning, Loughborough Commons is really no worse than most development in the city or balance of the region. This is quite unfortunate as we deserve better development, especially in areas where you have existing walkable environments that could greatly benefit from a locally owned grocery store an easy walk down the street. What we got, instead, was an expensive project where you are expected to drive even though you can see if from your front sidewalk. Such practices should not be permitted to continue.