Enjoyed PrideFest Downtown

Last month the annual LGBT PrideFest was held downtown, previously it has been held in Tower Grove Park & Forest Park.

On Saturday June 29th I heard a guy across the street with a bullhorn quoting what I presume were bible passages. He was alone and largely ignored. Sunday, following the parade, there were more protestors.  This time they weren’t ignored.

I guess protestors are to be expected, it’s a free country.

I’m thankful PrideFest is now downtown, good move. In a future post I’ll look at the problems of using the area around Soldier’s Memorial for large events.

 — Steve Patterson

Elevated Highway Will Continue To Divide Downtown From The Mississippi River

The CityArchRiver 2015 effort has been about connecting the city to the Arch and to the river. But I think the name needs an asterisks, followed by a legal disclaimer in fine printer.

The disclaimer would read something like this:

*The connection will be applicable for a block or two at the center of the Arch grounds, the north & south portions will remain disconnected. We’ll make a few token changes, nothing significant. 

I agree there isn’t time now to raze the elevated highway and complete an urban boulevard before October 28, 2015, but I’d like to see us work on starting shortly after the 50th anniversary of the last piece of the Arch. If we start now we can have the urban boulevard by the 75th anniversary on October 28, 2040.

Only after this is removed will downtown be reconnected to the Mississippi River in a meaningful way.

— Steve Patterson

St. Louis Came Out For Trayvon Martin, Another Rally at Noon Today

Last Sunday a couple  hundred people showed up at the St. Louis Justice Center to rally against the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the February 26, 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

Across the country today more demonstrations will be held at federal courthouses. “The St. Louis gathering will take place at 12 noon at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse (111 South 10th Street St. Louis, MO 63102).” (source)

I’m not going to say anything else, I just ask that commenters be respectful to others.

— Steve Patterson

Many Transportation Modes Available

Personal mobility is important in society, but I can’t imagine limiting myself to just one mode.  Within the last year I’ve used every mode visible in the following image:

I count four modes above:

1. Amtrak passenger rail? Yes.
2. Greyhound bus?  Yes.
3. Public transit via light rail? Yes.
4. Private auto on highways? Yes.

Each has it’s place, I generally use public transit or, lately, ride with my boyfriend in his car. In a couple of weeks we’re renting and car for a weekend trip. I’m itching to take Amtrak again soon, perhaps to Kansas City? Maybe mono-mode (car) is perfect for you, I couldn’t possibly know. For me though, I did the car-only thing for many years without any consideration of other choices. The car culture had a grip on me, I was afraid to let it go.

Now it’s habit to think about the various modes available when planning every trip, whether to Target or out of town. How much thought do you give to your mode of travel?

— Steve Patterson

New Brewery Improves Alley-Like Lucas Ave

The two streets on either side of Washington Ave are basically named alleys: St. Charles St (south) and Lucas Ave (north). These may have had active businesses fronting onto them decades ago, but not so much anymore.

Alpha Brewing Co. on Lucas Ave between 14th-15th is making the back of a Washington Ave building lively.

Kudos to Alpha Brewing Co for a well-designed space that makes a positive contribution to an otherwise dreary road. If you visit just ignore the trash dumpsters behind adjacent buildings.

— Steve Patterson