Thoughts on Civil Rights & Gay Pride

This weekend is the big Pride celebration in St. Louis. Two days of festivities in Tower Grove park along with a parade down Grand beginning at noon on Sunday. I’ll probably go, I always do.

I “came out” as we say back when I was just 16 years old. If you are trying to do the math that would have been back in 1983. AIDS was just becoming an issue, although it would be two years later before President Reagan would publicly say “AIDS.”

I became somewhat of an activist in college as a co-chair of the University of Oklahoma Gay-Lesbian Alliance. We, as a group, participated in Oklahoma City’s first ever gay pride parade in 1988. The parade, thankfully, went off without any trouble as was feared by many.

I recall one weekend in the early 90’s where I was in Kansas City for their pride weekend and I returned to St. Louis to catch the parade in St. Louis — down Euclid and ending in Forest Park at the time.

1993 was the best year for me, the March on Washington. Some said we were a million strong. It seemed like it, everywhere you turned in Washington D.C. was someone gay or lesbian. At the time we were not as inclusive as to include those who are bisexual or transgendered. I’m sure they were there.

At the time the big issue was gays in the military, like somehow that was a new thing. 1993 was the year we got the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy” that is still in effect.

My best memory of the entire event was my college friend Richard and I hearing the fabulous Eartha Kitt on the load speaker. By the time we made it across the mall to the stage she was done with her performance.

When I came out at 16 my big fears were getting beaten up (or killed) and AIDS. I’ve avoided both, thankfully. I never imagined, at the time, discussions of gays serving in the military, civil unions, and marriage. Although still hostile, the world is certainly a better place today with respect to gay rights.

Happy Pride weekend everyone!

– Steve

Carnahan School Gets New Sign, Remains Suburban

This summer Carnahan Middle School is transforming into the Carnahan High School of the Future. At least the new sign being erected says it is the future of high schools. While I treasure our classic early 20th Century Ittner-designed schools I’m not so crazy about this 2003 version. It looks like any suburban school. The problem is, it is located at Broadway & Gasconade (map)— hardly suburbia.

The new sign being constructed is the first clue to passersby this is a school. Sure, by the looks, they might assume as much. But I don’t believe it has ever had a sign at the street. In fact, the whole places tends to ignore the street altogether. That is what rubs me the wrong way. Buildings, especially civic buildings, should embrace and celebrate the public street.

This is the view presented to Broadway, one of the oldest routes in our region and along a major bus route. Sadly, an old streetcar storage & maintenance building was razed to construct this school. The old building, even though built for purely utilitarian means, did a wonderful job of relating to the street.

The current school is set back far from the street, much as you’d expect in places like Ballwin or St. Peters. The public sidewalk does run the length of Broadway and it is used often, including during the time I was taking pictures today. From the public sidewalk is another sidewalk which will eventually lead you to the building entrance. However, if you are standing at the intersection of these two sidewalks you cannot see the building’s entrance. With rare exception, a building’s entrance should be in close proximity to and visible from the primary public street.

The lush green lawn does little to benefit the urban streetscape along Broadway. With a nice small park to the immediate south the area did not need more open space. What it needed but didn’t get, is a building to reinforce the public realm of Broadway.

Access to the entrance is assumed by car. You enter from Gasconade St. —- oh wait —- make that the former Gasconade St. since it was vacated and blocked off on the west end. The site, just a hair over 6 acres, has been poorly utilized. Bordered on three sides by public streets (now two public and one private), the building doesn’t relate to any of them.

Unless hidden somewhere, the school does not have any bike racks for students, parents, teachers or staff to use.

One of the more common urban theories, popularized by the late Jane Jacobs, is the more eyes you had watching a street the safer it was. Thus, having multiple entrances immediately off a public street would create many people watching your actions. School age kids, in those times, may have tried to get away with wrong-doings but it is harder to succeed in such acts when being watched by many.

Since opening Carnahan Middle School, named after Gov. Mel Carnahan killed in an October 2001 plane crash, has been problematic since day one. Good urban design can not turn all students into well behaved kids but bad urban design can assuredly support bad behavior.

The solution?

More than a new sign!

The building, just a few years old, probably should be razed as it does such a poor job of fitting into the city. However, I think it could mostly be retained as part of a wing off a new 2-3 story structure built along Broadway. This would allow for a proper entrance along Broadway where parents and buses could use the more than ample on-street parking spaces. I’d throw in a few bike racks along the public right of way so that people coming to the facility, perhaps even for a community meeting, will have a place to secure their bikes. This vision of mine, of course, will likely never happen.

Our schools need a lot of help. As we invest in new schools we need to stop and think about how that school relates to the general public. Great civic buildings from past generations are special for their design and detailing but also their connection to the street and subsequently to the adjacent neighborhood.

– Steve

Flamingo Bowl To Get Flashy Marquee Sign

Developer and entrepreneur Joe Edwards is expanding his magic touch beyond the Delmar Loop. Soon to open will be an instantly trendy new bowling alley, the Flamingo Bowl. Wednesday he appeared before the Board of Adjustment to appeal a routine denial of a sign permit. His proposed sign did not meet the standard criteria.

The Board of Adjustment is pretty conservative when it comes to signs, perhaps a good thing. They try to avoid strobe lights and reader board that are generally considered to be too tacky and possibly overly distracting to drivers. Edwards’ proposed sign will have features like signs at his other establishments such as Blueberry Hill and The Pageant. Namely, it will have a reader board to announce upcoming bands performing at the bowling alley (yes, live music while bowling!).

But reader boards are one of those no-nos except in rare cases. Board members were stumped when trying to think of a reader board on Washington Avenue — almost to the point where I thought they’d say no to this feature. I didn’t want to testify in this issue but I could easily think of one — the convention center.

I briefly got a glimpse of the proposed sign for Flamingo Bowl but what I saw looked very interesting. Thankfully they approved his sign request. I think this will be a great addition to Washington Avenue, helping draw visitors westward along Washington Ave from the convention center.

I welcome the return of the artistic and expensive lighted sign.

– Steve

How Long is Too Long?

In March 2007 we will have primary elections for the 14 even numbered wards in the City of St. Louis. Out of curiosity I stopped at the Board of Aldermen yesterday to get a copy of their seniority list. Wow, no wonder they don’t put this info on their website — many have been around since we had over 400,000 residents (452,804 in 1980 & 396,685 in 1990).

I can imagine being in government that long might give you a less than fresh perspective. I can also conceive that seeing the population drop over 20% since you’ve been in office might make you a bit jaded about what it takes to bounce back. This is why I think we need some fresh thinkers at the Board of Aldermen.

Back to the upcoming Spring ’07 election. Below I’ve listed all 14 incumbent aldermen, their ward, how many years they will have served come 2007 and how many terms that represents. Some people have served some odd years due to being sworn in following a special election or I believe in one case they switched from odd to even during the last redistricting.

I personally think we should have term limits with a maximum of 2 terms for a total of 8 years. Some have previously expressed here that 8 years is not enough. Well, how about 12 years? Being Alderman should not be a life-long entitlement.

Based strictly on how long they’ve been in office I think the following need to not run again in 2007, move on and let some fresh thinking have a chance:

•Fred Heitert; 12th Ward: 28 years (7 terms).
• Terry Kennedy, 18th Ward: 18 years (4.5 terms).
• Stephen Conway, 8th Ward: 16+ years (4 terms).
• Stephen Gregali, 14th Ward: 12 years (3 terms)
• Craig Schmid; 20th Ward: 12 years (3 terms)

Craig Schmid is the only Alderman that I really know from the above list. While Schmid and I agree on some things we disagree on many more. I do like that we can have a discussion, disagree and remain friendly — something some other Aldermen seem incapable of doing. I also like that Schmid, at times, is willing to break ranks with their rules of status quo. For these reasons I might be willing to give him a due pass on length of service for one more term. Maybe…

Fred Heitert, the lone Republican. Well, I think he is the only one to admit being Republican. Others simply think & act that way but are Democrats because this is a democratic town. Jimmy Carter was President when Heitert was first sworn into office.

Terry Kennedy must have been quite young when he was first elected, I like that. I’ve heard some good things about Kennedy but I don’t see him as being someone to bring fresh new ideas to the table.

Stephen Conway, the alderman that asked the Preservation Board to ignore their ordinance driven rules to “reconsider” the denial of a homeowner to retain incorrect windows he installed in a historic district without a building permit.

Which brings me to Stephen Gregali. Of the above list I think Gregali is the one I’d most like to see defeated next Spring. For evidence of his mentality (and quite honestly many others) read an email exchange I had with him last month.

Again, I really think we need to have term limits set at 8 years just to create a flow of fresh thinking. The following all will have served two full terms next Spring when they seek a third term:

• Lyda Krewson, 28th Ward: 9 years (2+ terms)
• Lewis E. Reed, 6th Ward: 8 years (2 terms)
• Dionne Flowers, 2nd Ward: 8 years (2 terms)

And the last six seeking reelection next Spring have all served only one term. In the case of two, they’ve served very little after being elected to fill vacancies following a recall of the previous Alderman. I would not seek to replace any of these Aldermen strictly on the basis of time served. Their thought process, willingness to go along with Aldermanic Courtesy, and other actions may tell a different story.

• Joseph Vollmer, 10th Ward: 4 years (1 term)
• Jeffrey Boyd, 22nd Ward: 4 years (1 term)
• Frank Williamson, 26th Ward: 4 years (1 term)
• Donna Baringer; 16th Ward: 4 years (1 term)
• O.L. Shelton, 4th Ward; since June 10, 2005
• William Waterhouse, 24th Ward: since December 16, 2005

In Spring 2009 we are back to the odd numbered wards. I’m not going to go through all 14 of those but I will highlight some of the more entrenched members:

In 2009 both Phyllis Young (7th) and Fred Wessels (13th) will have “served” for 24 years. Six full terms! Sorry you two, time to move on. Run for another office, go fishing, just don’t keep hanging around.

Not far behind is Joe Roddy (17th) who will have served 21 years when his current term expires in 2009 — that is assuming he survives the current recall attempt announced yesterday.

Freeman Bosley Sr. (3rd) will mark 20 years as Alderman in 2009. I think 5 terms is than enough time in office although he hasn’t quite managed to raze every structure in the 3rd Ward so I assume he’ll want more time to finish destroying his bit of the city. Jeffrey Hardin came so close to defeating him last Spring…

I do not know a thing about Gregory Carter, Alderman from the 27th Ward, other than having been elected in 1993. So at the 2009 elections he will have served a full four terms or 16 years. Plenty in my book. Start thinking about a run for another office Mr. Carter.

Matt Villa, April Ford-Griffin, and Mike McMillan were elected in the Spring of 1997. McMillan is most likely to be our next License Collector so he gets a nod of a approval for moving on after 9 years in the same position. Villa and Griffin both will have been in office 12 years when they are up for reelection. Both have some of the worst new development projects in the city located within their wards. Villa & Griffin need to be replaced in 2009.

Ken Ortman (9th) is a very likable guy, certainly the most atypical of all the Aldermen (he owns a bar in Soulard and has a tattoo). Sill, after 10 years in office (as of 2009 election) I think it is time to move on. He is also a proponent of the Aldermanic Courtesy system.

And lastly we have Jennifer Florida who, if she stays off the recall effort, will have been in office for 8 years. That will be about 6 years too long in my view. I’ve liked her and supported her in the past but I’ve just been witness to way too much to let this one slide by. If the recall doesn’t happen I’m certain she will not make it past the 2009 election.

Nearly 36% (10 of 28) of our Board of Aldermen will have been in office at least 12 years in the Spring of 2007. Another 21% will have been around 8 years.

Aldermanic President Jim Shrewsbury was first elected to the Board of Aldermen in 1983 (16th Ward). After 19 years he became President of the Board of Aldermen in late 2002. I knew that Jim Shrewbury became President after Francis Slay left the position in April 2001, when he was elected Mayor, but I had to call him to to clarify why he was not sworn in until November 2002. The answer was more complicated than I thought:

The rules of the Board of Aldermen [charter of the City of St. Louis] states the position of President of the Board of Aldermen, a city wide elected position, will remain vacant until the next scheduled primary and general elections. In the meantime, the Board VP will assume the role of the President without the title (although with the pay). When Slay became Mayor in 2001 Shrewsbury was the VP, so he served in that capacity while also serving as 16th Ward alderman. The next primary was August 2002 where Shrewsbury defeated challenger Lyda Krewson (55% to 45%). In the November 2002 primary he was not challenged and we sworn in once the results were certified. He also had to resign as 16th Ward Alderman upon taking the job of President.

In the March 2003 election Jim Shrewsbury had to run again although this time he was not challenged. Donna Baringer won the 16th Ward aldermanic seat handily by getting 50% of the votes in a 3-way race. Got all that?

Currently Phyllis Young is VP, Fred Wessels is Floor Leader and Joe Roddy is Assistant Floor Leader. Every two years, following the general election, they draw cards to see among the people elected on the same day who has greater seniority. This is why Young has more seniority than Wessels, even though they were both sworn in on the same date.

The Board of Aldermen need to indicate on their website how long each member has been in office. This is relevant data for people when considering if they should, themselves, run for office and when folks are voting. I think they are a bit too embarrassed they’ve been around this long and we are where we are today. I think we must, as voters, look at how long they’ve each been in office and what they accomplished for their ward and the city while they have been there. It should not be an assumed they should remain in office simply because they’ve been there for years (or decades). Being Aldermen should not be a permanent career.

[Updated 6/24/06 @ 7pm — corrected paragraph to clarify that it is the city’s charter, not the rules of the Board of Aldermen, that indicates the President of the Board will remain vacant until the next general election. This applies to the Mayor and Comptroller as well. ]

– Steve

Rumor: QuikTrip to Relocate Bevo Location

This just in, apparently QuikTrip corporation is planning to close its location on Gravois just south of Delor in the Bevo neighborhood and relocate up the street at Gravois & Chippewa.

I’m told this was revealed at a Clifton Heights neighborhood meeting recently. The site in question is the southwest corner of Gravois & Chippewa, currently a pre-owned lot for McMahon Ford.

The site in question is in the 25th Ward, where I unsuccessfully ran for alderman last year against incumbent Dorothy Kirner. A quick check of campaign finance reports shows QT contributed $300, the maximum amount, to Kirner’s campaign just days after the primary election last year. I have not reviewed other documents to look for additional contributions.

My questions are two-fold. Will they build solely on the existing auto dealer parking lot? Also, what will become of their old site?

– Steve