Football Fans Block Public Sidewalk Before Games

One of the joys of living downtown is accepting the influx and outflux of people for events.  At one time in history various events were held throughout the cities, where ever the team or organization could buy property.  Once we managed to kill our downtowns, we used stadiums and other attractions to attempt to prop them up.  And until a better stadium deal is coming along, the St. Louis Rams are not going anywhere.

Sunday I was out for a post-brunch walk and noticed tents and all sorts of otherwise normal looking people, dressed in blue and gold, standing around their SUVs.  After viewing the windows at the downtown Macy’s I was heading back toward my loft when in the middle of the sidewalk was this group of fans.  Once passed I turned back around to snap this shot.

For me this wasn’t really that big of a deal.  My friend and I were able to squeeze by the parking meters to go around them.  You can’t tell from this image but they had a grill out smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk.  I’ve had my share of sidewalk confrontations but I knew better than to argue with a large group of football fans that had been drinking in the AM.

I guess the paved parking lot wasn’t enough room for them?  Or the “plaza” across the street at the US Bank — the site of the former Ambassador Theater?  I’m all for a good time but must it be in the path of pedestrians used by real residents?

I should have asked them where they lived.  Then I could have rented a car and BBQ’d on the sidewalk on their cul-de-sac.   Somehow I don’t think they’d get it.

They’d never do this in say NY or Chicago.  Or course, there, they actually have such a steady flow of pedestrians people wouldn’t think of setting up the tailgate on a sidewalk.  Here we make it almost perfect for such a blockage — back the SUV into the space, open the tailgate and commence partying on the sidewalk.   I’m told this helps downtown but I haven’t quite figured out how just yet.

Expensive Streetscape Falls Short of Having Good ADA Compliance

Since moving downtown I’ve been doing more walking and one of those streets, as you might expect, is Washington Ave — our main focus for the rebirth of downtown.  It started a number of years ago with a complete new streetscape — new paving, curbs and sidewalks.  From Tucker to 18th Street is was completely rebuild for a hefty sum ($17 million or so).  While I think they went overboard with the design, I believe a new streetscape project by the city was necessary to spur private investment in the area.

That said, I’ve noticed some interesting design decisions.  OK, make that some really bad design decisions.  For example, the curb ramps at 16th & Washington Ave:

Probably looks fine?  Look closer.

Anyone using a wheelchair, such as my neighbor two doors down, or to anyone pushing a baby stroller, this is really messed up.  One side of 16th has you aligned with the flow of pedestrians while the other side uses a corner ramp.  The corner ramp in the foreground serves the dual purpose of crossing Washington Avenue as this point — one of the very few places where someone in a chair can cross.

Seen from the other direction, looking Westbound, you can see how someone has to jog and angle to continue straight along Washington Ave.  Several solutions would have been worth considering here.

First, the corner ramp could have continued further to the South so that a person rolling along Washington Ave could continue straight without having to veer out toward traffic.  Second, the ramp crossing Washington Ave could have been positioned in a number of other nearby spots so that the ramps crossing 16th St could have been aligned.  Simple really, all it takes is an eye for details and functionality.

Despite all the money spent on fancy paving and custom light fixtures, little details like this were overlooked.  Do not assume, that because professionals were involved, that the design is always good.  Clearly, more time could have been spent getting these details right.

Auto-Centric Strip Mall in City Adds Pedestrian Access

Just a few weeks ago the curbs were in place for the auto drives/parking at the new auto-centric strip mall, located technically across the street from the Soulard neighborhood (see prior post). As of October 21st, no visible signs of any pedestrian access had been made — it was as if it was assumed everyone would simply drive to this location even if you could see the place from your home a block away.

From another angle we can see, below, the curbs all in place and simply ready for the asphalt.

Myself and others objected to the suburban design, no doubt. But lacking a single sidewalk connection was just too much — people in the city do in fact walk.

Today, above, we see that a short section of sidewalk was added between the public sidewalk and the auto drive. The newly poured curbs were cut out and replaced with accessible ramps. Although I have not checked the ramps for precise compliance at first glance they appear to comply. See there, it wasn’t so hard was it?

Does this new accessible entrance make this project urban? Hardly. Does it make the project minimally tolerable until it can be razed for something worthy of being in our city? Yes! Why something so simply as a few feet of concrete and assumption that people will in fact seek out a walkable environment (although this is not technically a good walkable environment) it not required from day one is beyond me. This is not difficult and for a subsidized project this should be the very minimal that is acceptable.

Thank you to everyone that express their outrage over this lack of pedestrian access and the overall suburban nature of this design.  Hopefully we’ll make enough developers come back and modify their designs to add pedestrian access that at some point they’ll just ask for it up front!  Of course, you’d think their architects and engineers would just include it to begin with —- it is a federal requirement after all.

As of this time the Starbuck’s, a separate structure at the far end, still does not seem to comply with the ADA standards for accessibility.

Political Insider Blocks Path of Sidewalk with SUV, Defense Caught on Video

Arriving at City Hall this morning I spotted an SUV parked smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk along Tucker Blvd — in such a way that someone in a wheelchair or mobility scooter could not pass by:

That is my scooter (aka motorized bicycle per state law) in the very far left. As you can see, it is parked way out of the line of travel along the sidewalk. The black Acura MDX, however, is directly in the path of pedestrians and anyone that might be using a mobility device to get around. Who would be so insensitive as to park in the pedestrian path?

Getting in closer we can see that it really would be a challenge for some to get around this vehicle.

From another angle we can see the challenge someone might face.

From the rear we can see how close the planers are on the right, forcing pedestrians to alter their direct course. So again, who would do this?

The placard on the dash indicates a member of the Metropolitan St. Louis Taxi Commission — on official business! I had my thoughts but I couldn’t confirm it because I have no way to track vehicles.

Once at the Board of Alderman meeting my suspicion was nearly confirmed. Taxi commissioner, political insider, political consultant, and lobbyist Lou Hamilton was coming in and out of the BoA chambers. Still, this was not proof that this vehicle was his.
However, I was downstairs on the phone in the rotunda of city hall when Hamilton was heading to the exit. I quickly ended my call and headed out the door. Hamilton stopped just outside, to light up a cig, and I continued to my scooter. I had my camera out and was ready. I think he spotted me but I wasn’t about to leave. I figured I could wait him out.

The video explains the rest pretty well:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld9MwhV4ZLU[/youtube]

Not blocking the sidewalk? The pictures and video seem to show otherwise!

Basically the aldermen were afraid to be seen getting into his SUV to head to lunch — can’t say that I blame them. Let’s see, it was back in 2006 that Ald. Florida, Gregali and Kirner were part of a motorcade that included Hamilton, this was first described by Dave Drebes on March 3, 2006 and later by the RFT on April 5, 2006:

The aldermanic trio weren’t the only local VIPs who received special treatment on February 24. Public relations executive and mayoral lobbyist Lou Hamilton and his wife, Mayor’s Ball chair Tricia Roland-Hamilton, departed city hall that evening in a dark SUV with a blue light flashing atop its dashboard.

Lou Hamilton could not be reached for comment.

I didn’t see any emergency lights on Hamilton’s Acura, maybe it is his wife’s vehicle?

Hamilton is chairman of the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission — the very commission that continues to have a taxi stand set up in front of our convention center. Despite repeated private requests & public blog posts to remove the taxi stand, it has not happened. It seems clear that chairman Hamilton doesn’t place much value on pedestrians but and is willing to use his ‘official business’ placard to justify parking directly in the path of pedestrians. This personal philosophy must be why the taxi commission, under his leadership, has refused to yank the taxi’s off the sidewalk.

For the purposes of disclosure, Hamilton’s former company, Vigilant Communications, was hired by Ald Dorothy Kirner when I challenged her for the 25th Ward seat in the Spring of 2005.

We Can All Agree, St. Louis’ Riverfront Needs Help

Yesterday I had a chance to hear a presentation by Danforth Foundation President Peter Sortino (as a guest at the monthly chapter meeting of the AIA St. Louis). The foundation recently submitted a report to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. In the report they basically concluded that nothing “transformative” can be done as long as the National Park Service retains control of not only the Arch ground proper but also Memorial Drive.

I’m still reading through the detailed report and appendix of items but here is where we certainly agree:

• The arch grounds, while beautiful, is a large passive area.
• Pedestrian access to the arch grounds and riverfront from downtown is problematic.
• The riverfront is lifeless and disconnected from downtown.

Figuring out goals, objectives and solutions is where I think we may have some differences of opinion.  Still, the foundation is looking for support from the community to agree a problem has existed for some decades — I fully support increased discussion about the future of the area around the Arch.