The City in Winter & Taco Bell?

An urban city like St. Louis is beautiful in winter. Mt. Pleasant Park, adjacent to my block, was very tranquil Saturday morning. The blocks of beautiful brick houses with snow covering the branches of the street trees were also very beautiful. Those winding cul-de-sac streets with front-facing garages and no street trees can’t hold a candle to our streets – in any season.

But the picture to the right was taken by me Friday night on the way home – not exactly serene huh? I try to avoid fast food but I was still hungry after a party on Flora Place so a quick stop at Taco Bell on Grand seemed like a good idea. The normally ugly back of the Taco Bell with its hideous lighting, bright menu and waiting cars spewing toxins in the air actually looked interesting to me with the snow coming down.

In cities with more urban-friendly zoning & building ordinances drive-thru restaurants are not banned but altered. The buildings are built closer to the street with entrances facing onto the sidewalks. Parking is relegated to the back of the building and drive-thru lanes and driveways are kept minimal.

David Sucher, an urban developer in Seattle, has great information on this and other good ideas in his excellent book, City Comforts: How to Build an Urban Village. You can order his book through a local bookstore (such as Left Bank) or through his website (which includes an index of the book and a sample chapter). Be sure to check out his City Comforts Blog which is linked from his site.

Fast food, bank & pharmacy drive-thru lanes are not going to disappear anytime soon but we need to look at creative ways to lessen their negative impacts on the urban environment. If we take the time to really think about the problems and possible solutions we can have our cake and eat it too!

UPDATE 10:45AM 1/9/05: I’m told the AIA Bookstore on Washington Avenue has Sucher’s book, City Comforts: How to Build an Urban Village, in stock. Click here for AIA St. Louis website.

– Steve

The City in Winter & Taco Bell?

An urban city like St. Louis is beautiful in winter. Mt. Pleasant Park, adjacent to my block, was very tranquil Saturday morning. The blocks of beautiful brick houses with snow covering the branches of the street trees were also very beautiful. Those winding cul-de-sac streets with front-facing garages and no street trees can’t hold a candle to our streets – in any season.

But the picture to the right was taken by me Friday night on the way home – not exactly serene huh? I try to avoid fast food but I was still hungry after a party on Flora Place so a quick stop at Taco Bell on Grand seemed like a good idea. The normally ugly back of the Taco Bell with its hideous lighting, bright menu and waiting cars spewing toxins in the air actually looked interesting to me with the snow coming down.

In cities with more urban-friendly zoning & building ordinances drive-thru restaurants are not banned but altered. The buildings are built closer to the street with entrances facing onto the sidewalks. Parking is relegated to the back of the building and drive-thru lanes and driveways are kept minimal.

David Sucher, an urban developer in Seattle, has great information on this and other good ideas in his excellent book, City Comforts: How to Build an Urban Village. You can order his book through a local bookstore (such as Left Bank) or through his website (which includes an index of the book and a sample chapter). Be sure to check out his City Comforts Blog which is linked from his site.

Fast food, bank & pharmacy drive-thru lanes are not going to disappear anytime soon but we need to look at creative ways to lessen their negative impacts on the urban environment. If we take the time to really think about the problems and possible solutions we can have our cake and eat it too!

UPDATE 10:45AM 1/9/05: I’m told the AIA Bookstore on Washington Avenue has Sucher’s book, City Comforts: How to Build an Urban Village, in stock. Click here for AIA St. Louis website.

– Steve

White Middle Class Suburban Man

I don’t know about you but one of my favorite reasons for picking up the RFT is the cartoon called ‘The City’ by Derf. The best is when Derf brings out ‘White Middle Class Suburban Man’ to poke fun at life in the ‘burbs.

The derf website only has a few cartoons in the archive but for a good example of White Middle Class Suburban Man click here.

Ok, back to work on my campaign…

– Steve

Candidate Files for 25th Ward Aldermanic Seat!

I have it on very good authority that a candidate has filed today, the last day, for the 25th Ward Aldermanic seat against incumbent Dorothy Kirner. And how do I know this?

The candidate is me. Yes, I have decided to run for the St. Louis Board of Alderman. In the coming days I will set up my campaign committee, website, etc… If you would be interested in volunteering email me privately. If you’d like to offer some feedback, suggestions, endorsements, feel free to use the comments section below.

Also of interest is a fourth candidate in the race for Mayor. Willie Marshall filed yesterday afternoon as a Green Party candidate. Today is the deadline for filing.

For the list of candidates click here.

– Steve

25th Ward Challenger Carl Coats Has Withdrawn from Race

Carl Coats, a former city building inspector, had filed to challenge Dorothy Kirner for the 25th Ward aldermanic seat. On 1/4/05 he withdrew himself as a candidate. Unless someone files tomorrow Dorothy Kirner will win by default. This is my ward – I was hoping someone would mount a good challenge to Kirner.

Click here for election filings. The primary is to be held March 8th but only four wards have more than one candidate. Darlene Green is unchallenged for Comptroller.

The mayor’s race will be interesting with Slay challenged by William (Bill) Haas and Irene J. Smith. I ran into friends last night – one of whom is black – both were very concerned Smith could win the race. I’m not exactly fond of Slay but I’m sure Smith would be worse.

– Steve