Urban McDonald’s in Chicago Could Serve as Model for St. Louis

Fast food restaurants, with drive-thru lanes, can fit into an urban streetscape. But, the typical fast food establishment — surrounded by parking — just won’t due anyplace except out in suburbia.

A couple of years ago a McDonald’s on the NE corner of Chicago & State (map) in Chicago was completely replaced by the example shown at right. Architecturally it is no gem. The site planning, however, is a major departure from typical McDonald’s or other fast-food establishments.

This McDonald’s is on a corner site and includes a curb cut onto each street. It does not include any off-street parking, however, it does have a dual drive-thru lane. Cars enter the drive-thru from Chicago. The dual lanes keep traffic from backing up across the public sidewalk and into the street. Cars then make a left behind the building to pick up their orders, exiting onto State.

The corner of the site is an outdoor park/seating area. Customers can eat indoors, outside or take their order to go.

The franchise owner of the McDonald’s on south Grand in St. Louis has made it clear his business relies heavily on drive-thru service and they are seeking to increase that business by relocating. So why have 47 parking spaces? I can’t imagine they will need that many spaces. If the McDonald’s is going to relocate why not move the building to the corner of the site and reduce or eliminate off-street parking?

The McDonald’s in Chicago occupies roughly a third of the land area as the proposed McDonald’s on south Grand. The Chicago example will most likely will do a higher volume of business while occupying less space. That is what urban is all about — getting more from less land. I view the Chicago example as the very least that we should accept in St. Louis.

Photo from A Daily Dose of Architecture. Additional photos on Flickr.

Urban Review Endorses Downs & Jones

Mayor Slay is endorsing two current St. Louis School Board members for re-election; Darnetta Clinkscale & James Buford. Therefore, I am endorsing school watchdog Peter Downs and Donna Jones, both parents of children attending St. Louis Public Schools.

Actually, it is not quite as simple as favoring those candidates challenging those which the mayor endorses. I truly believe Peter Downs is one of the most knowledgeable citizens when it comes to education. I like what he has to say, specifically how he ties education together with economic development and strengthening our neighborhoods. Downs and Donna Jones are seen as having a similar platform of creating a quality school system by being inclusive of all perspectives.

Frankly I don’t trust the mayor or his favored candidates. Razing the Century Building was supposedly done in the best interests of downtown and the city but we all know that was not the case. I just don’t trust the motives of Slay, Clinkscale or Buford.

The election is Tuesday, April 4, 2006. Please support Peter Downs & Donna Jones.

– Steve

What Happened to Downtown Now!?

Downtown Now!, the organization which continues to ask the question, “What’s Happening in 2004?” has managed to do something in the current year, namely, vacate their Washington Avenue storefront space.

From their site:

The Downtown Now! Marketing Center is located at 1533 Washington Avenue, and it serves as a resource for the public to gain knowledge about Downtown development. If you are interested in more information, stop by Downtown Now! or call at 314-588-0458.

Since they are no longer on Washington Ave we have one more thing out of date on the site. I do like their tag line:

Our goal is to create a vibrant, 24-hour Downtown with shops, cafes, restaurants, residential life and people.

I’m actually glad they’ve left the prominent storefront space on Washington Avenue as that is better occupied by a shop, cafe or restaurant rather than a downtown prop with limited hours.

I called the phone number above to ask where they’ve moved. Answer: 906 Olive, Suite 225. Well, they will be in good company since the Downtown St. Louis Partnership is in Suite 220. Many, myself included, think of these two organizations as one in the same. Simply by having more organizations you can have more salaried positions and you can also give each other awards.

How many cooks do we need in the kitchen? Also, can we get a european chef rather than the hometown buffet line cooks we have now?

– Steve

Gravois Park Neighborhood Files Appeal in McDonald’s Drive-Thru

Gravois Park, the neighborhood to be impacted by a relocated McDonald’s on south Grand, has filed an appeal with the City of St. Louis over zoning approval of the drive-thru. Residents indicate this is against the wishes of the neighborhood and does not conform to the development plan for the area. At this point a hearing date has not been set.

The Gravois Park Neighborhood Association is meeting tonight at 6pm at St. Matthew United Church of Christ, 2613 Potomac St. at Jefferson Avenue. The McDonald’s will be discussed but it is only a part of the agenda.

Meanwhile residents in Florida’s backyard of Tower Grove Heights are talking about organizing to support Gravois Park in opposing the McDonald”s relocation. Sounds to me like the only one out of step is Ald. Florida herself. Makes you wonder what she has to gain by supporting something nobody wants?

– Steve

Rumor: Cleveland High School to Be Demolished

Word on the street, from a reliable source, is there is talk of razing Cleveland High School (photo source,map) to build an “alternative” school. I’m not sure I know what an alternative school is but I do know that Cleveland HS is an important part of my neighborhood. The building stands proud facing Grand just south of Meramec.

Cleveland HS, built in 1915, has served as the Junior Naval Academy since 1981.

I hope this turns out to be a false rumor but if someone out there is thinking this is a good idea think again. This school is a classic building and a symbol of the greatness of this city at the early part of the 20th Century. We’ve got parking lots and other waste land all over this city where a new school can be built.

– Steve