New Blog: STL Rising

Friend and frequent commentator to this site, Rick Bonasch, has started his own blog entitled STL Rising.

He only has a few posts so far but keep an eye on his site. His positive take on our city should be a nice compliment to my more critical perspective.

If you are technically savvy you’ll be happy to know you can get an RSS feed for his site as well.

– Steve

No More Info on the Old 7-11

Last month I asked what was happening with the old 7-11 on Virginia at Delor. Someone commented that I should stop by to find out. Well, I did just that. But, I know no more than I did.

The interior is completely gutted, the floor is busted up, a dumpster remains out front and they’ve started changing the exterior look. Permits have been issued and are posted in the front window.

I stopped by on a weekday but nobody was there working. In fact, I haven’t seen anyone there working in weeks.

New Coffee House Opening in 25th Ward!

Java Joe’s is hard at work renovating the building at Virginia & Meramec (3301 Meramec). I’m told they are expecting an August opening and they will have Wi-Fi. No website yet.

Better OFF: Flipping The Switch on Technology by Eric Brende

Eric and Mary Brende spent 18 months living without electricity in a community that considers most Amish excessive. “Better OFF: Flipping the Switch on Technology” is an account of their lessons as Eric Brende, a highly educated man, attempted to learn more about the relationships between man and machine. Does technology improve our lives? Do labor-saving devices actually reduce work or just create more work to pay for them?

Through their journey they encountered many challenges and new experiences. Brende’s writing has you right there sowing the seeds, weeding the pumpkin patch and giving birth to their first child in their home without electricity. It is exciting reading. I finished the book in less than 24 hours, something I rarely do.

So what does the story of a couple in Amish country have to do with urbanity in St. Louis? A lot more than you might think. Living in a long established and compact urban environment leaves farm land for farming — not Wal-Marts. Residents of our older ethnic neighborhoods tend to form bonds and help each other out in some of the same ways described in Brende’s book. Reduced dependance on a car can allow someone to live better on less income than many that make more money but spent it all on transportation just to make more money. But the connection is even closer — the Brende’s call St. Louis home!
… Continue Reading

New Poll on Washington Avenue Parking

I think by now it is pretty clear that I am in favor of parking on Washington Avenue. In my efforts to get parking on the street I’ve decided to conduct my own non-scientific poll on the topic to see what others think.

[NOTE: This post first appeared on 7/17 but I have updated it and moved it to today (7/20). If you have not voted yet please read on and vote.]

I personally would like to see on-street parking all the way to the Eads bridge. I would exclude no part of the street such as in front of the convention center or convention hotel. I’d be OK with a few spaces maybe as 15 minute maximum to allow someone to run into Starbucks. Having valet permits such as they do West of Tucker would also be acceptable.

However, for the purposes of this poll I’m limiting the area to the four blocks from 8th to Tucker. The argument in favor of on-street parking is that it provides a buffer between vehicles and pedestrians, it calms traffic, it provides good short-term spaces necessary to support retail businesses, it makes sidewalk dining more pleasant and gives the general impression to visitors that things are happening in the area.

I’ve supplied a wide range of possible answers ranging from no restrictions (my ideal) to a full ban (what we have now). I’ve included the option in the answer to exclude big events. Some answers are for certain times only. You are only allowed to vote once so make it count.

If you feel I should have included another possible answer please let me know in the comments section.

[UPDATED 7/20 @ 10AM. In three days nearly 70 people have voted. Over 90% are in favor of having on-street parking at all times, ignoring rush hour. The only difference being special events like a RAMS game. In retrospect I should have done an option that excluded M-F 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. Again, if you haven’t voted please do so.]

– Steve