Late last week Larry Rice said his downtown emergency emergency shelter, the New Life Evangelistic Center will close today:
Rev. Larry Rice said he will comply with a judge’s order and close his downtown shelter.
The New Life Evangelistic Center (NLEC) will be ceasing operations on 5:00 p.m. Sunday. A judge refused Rice’s request to keep the shelter on open Thursday. (Post-Dispatch)
Rice said he hopes the closure is temporary. Today’s poll assumes the closure is permanent:
Lindell Hotel the next morning, Missouri History Museum collection
A huge fire destroyed St. Louis’ premier hotel on this date a century snd a half ago:
On March 30, 1867, the Lindell Hotel caught fire for reasons unknown. The ornate six-story building was a marvel of architectural design carefully crafted from brick, iron, and stone. As word of the fire began to spread, many of the nearly 400 guests ignored the warnings. Much like some passengers of the Titanic believed the ship unsinkable, these hotel residents thought themselves safe within the strong, solid confines surrounding them. They continued relaxing, eating, and drinking, but the fire wasn’t about to be ignored. (Missouri History Museum blog– recomended)
The Lindell Hotel was rebuilt on the same site, opening in 1874. It experienced a fire in 1885. It was razed in 1906 to build the Stix, Baer & Fuller department store. It became a Dillard’s in 1984, and connected to St. Louis Centre (opened 1985) via a 4-story walkway over Washington Ave.
Fifteen years ago this morning a safety expert was killed while walking across 4th street.
ST. LOUIS — A Washington state woman who was one of the country’s top experts on bicycle and pedestrian safety was killed yesterday morning when she was struck by a tour bus while crossing a downtown intersection here.
Susie Stephens, 36, of Winthrop, Wash., was struck shortly after 8:30 a.m.
The driver of the Vandalia Bus Lines vehicle told police he did not see Stephens as he made a left turn.
Stephens, a consultant, was in St. Louis to help stage a conference on innovative approaches to transportation sponsored by the Forest Service, said William “Bill” Wilkinson of the National Center for Bicycling and Walking in Washington.
Stevens was just a year older than me.
This intersection has been improved, the crosswalk length shortened. However, pedestrians don’t get an advance signal to give them a head start.
There have been numerous events remembering her since she was killed here, this one from 2015 is touching:
The 2015 Stihl Tour des Trees began in Orlando Oct. 25. From there the group cycled 103 miles to Ruskin. Then 70 miles to Sarasota and 93 miles to Punta Gorda. Wednesday morning the group left for the 70 mile ride to Matlacha Park where they planned to plant a Live Oak Tree.
“In the course of this tour we will plant 13 new trees,” DiCarlo said. “Today’s tree is dedicated to Susie Stevens and The Susie Forest. Sadly Susie Stevens was struck and killed by a bus crossing the street in St. Louis in 2002. Her mother, Nancy McCarrow, has been volunteering for many years with the Stihl Tour des Trees planting trees in remembrance of her daughter. We call this collection of trees ‘The Susie Forest’. (Source)
Hopefully the next mayor will take pedestrian experience & safety seriously.
February 20, 2017Downtown, Featured, ParksComments Off on New Arch To Riverfront Ramps Are A Great Improvement
When I first moved to St. Louis in August 1990 the grand staircase down to our riverfront wasn’t complete — it was grass with steps only on the North & South edges. At some point the center steps were completed.But even as a young (20s) able-bodied person the steps were a pain. I recall one time, in the early 90s visiting the Arch grounds with my parents & grandfather — in their early 60s & mid-90s, respectively, The steps were a huge problem.
Visitors to the Arch grounds yesterday enjoy the sun on the grand stairs
This weekend I visited the Arch grounds twice — along on Saturday and with my husband on Sunday. Both days I did all four of the new ramps connecting the upper Arch grounds to Lenore K Sullivan Blvd on the riverfront.
Looking South from the North outlook area,a new ramp on the right and the North steps on the left. The steps are closed currently because they’re in poor condition.At the bottom of that rampMoving toward the river you can begin to see how much longer the ramp is vs the stepsThe North steps, mirrored to the SouthThe two South ramps each feature a longer flat section with s bench. — excellent for those who may need to sit and restLooking North from the South lookout area
I saw many people using the new ramps both days, but nobody else in a wheelchair. Users were all ages, some were biking, others walking their dogs, some pushing baby strollers, most just out with family and/or friends.
The Arch & grounds were designed at a time when the disabled were institutionalized — not independent members of the community. Ramps just weren’t done back then. Today, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, those of us who are disabled are better able to live independent lives.
These four ramps, plus the connection next to the Eads Bridge, make getting to/from the riverfront a pleasure.
Last month my husband and I finally visited the National Blues Museum, just a 15 minute walk from our loft. The museum opened in April 2016, but we never got around to visiting until recently. First, we had lunch a Sugarfire Smoke House located in the same building at 6th & Washington.
I’ve been a vegetarian for a quarter century now, but I have no problem eating at BBQ places — as long as they offer something like a portobello sandwich. Smart BBQ places do.
My portobello sandwich at Sugarfire
The museum isn’t large, but it’s well-organized. The displays and signage is fresh looking.
Entry to the National Blues MuseumPhotography isn’t allowed inside. but I got one photo
There was a concert later in the evening, our tickets would’ve gotten into that as well. I’ll keep that in mind — will plan our next visit, followed by dinner and a blues concert.
Very glad to see the museum completed, I was a sceptic when I first heard the concept.
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