25th Ward Saw Increase In Vacant Buildings in 2004

From today’s Post-Dispatch:

“Only four wards reported an increase in vacant buildings last year: 14, 24 and 25 in the south part of the city, and 18 on the north. Wards 3, 4 and 22 on the north side had the largest number of vacant buildings. Altogether, St. Louis had 5,504 vacant buildings in 2004.”

An increase in vacant buildings is not a good sign. Of course, tearing them down to reduce the number is even worse as that simply increases the number of vacant lots.

– Steve

Ride to Honor Memory of Killed Cyclist

“The St. Louis cycling community will be riding in memory of Michael Katz Sunday, July 31. Michael was active in the cycling community and a passionate rider. He was struck and killed by a motorist Monday, July 25, on Olive Boulevard, near Pavillion Drive in Creve Coeur, MO. Michael was riding a recumbent.

Michael A. Katz, 65, was a longtime supporter of the Gateway Council of Hostelling International, member of the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation and Trailnet, and a regular on Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society rides. As recently as last weekend, Mike was an active volunteer on the Peach Pedal ride at Eckert’s in Belleville. The photo shown here is from the Cycle Across Missouri: An Excursion into Little Egypt ride in June. Mike also played a key role with the Turtles, which like the BABES is a loosely organized group affiliated with the Gateway Council.
… Continue Reading

Don’t Top Off Your Tank

I just witnessed a woman obsessively clicking a gas pump trying to get every last drop in her massive Lincoln Town Car. As if driving that tank around isn’t bad enough, her 6-10 clicks to try to top off the tank are bad for the environment.

The EPA says this of topping off:

In addition to not topping off your tank, you should avoid filling up in the afternoon. From the U.S. Department of Transportation:

Resources:
> EPA
> St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership
> U.S. Department of Transportation

Of course, alternatives exist. Walking, bicycling, taking mass transit or ride sharing are all options to help our air quality.

– Steve

Pyramid Companies’ New Houses Set Apart – Way Apart

On a whim I drove down 13th Street today. To my horror I discovered modest homes being constructed along the street opposite recently constructed apartments. The problem is not that the houses are modest in size but the relationship of the houses to each other.

The Pyramid Companies has been building for a few years on the site of the old projects at Tucker & Chouteau. To date, nothing they’ve built on this massive site has been worthy of the city or even their other work on downtown lofts.

From the looks of things the space between the houses is about equal to the width of each house. It just looks wrong and suburban.

Just look at the blank side of this house. Boring. If these houses were closer together we wouldn’t have to look at so much vinyl siding.

These same houses would be so more more appealing if they were closer together. Plus, that would have added 2-3 more houses to the block. Greater density to support local businesses and more profit for the developer.

I can’t imagine why Pyramid would do this.

– Steve

What About an Ikea for St. Louis?

I’ve been an loyal Ikea shopper for about 15 years this month. I’ve been to five of their stores in the suburbs of Washington D.C., Seattle, New Jersey, Oakland (CA) and Chicago. Many of us in St. Louis make the pilgrimage to Chicago to buy great (& cheap) products.

I think we need an Ikea. Most people would likely agree. The issue of where should an Ikea go is the subject of debate. In the suburbs at St. Louis Mills Outlet Mall? Northwest Plaza? Crestwood? I’ve always thought in Illinois near a MetroLink line would be wise. Some want a store in the City of St. Louis – suggesting the old MSD location at I-44 and Hampton.

You can only vote once so make it count.

– Steve