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Open House for St. Louis’ Latest Gateway Mall Plan; Implimentation Underway Before Public Viewing (Updated)

In a classic St. Louis move, the city’s “leadership” is already moving forward with a plan the public has yet to see. Mayor Slay, Aldermanic President, Alderman Phyllis Young, and Downtown Parnership’s Jim Cloar last week talked of the newest concept as a done deal even though we the public have not seen anything yet. Typical.

The public open house is scheduled for this evening, Monday June 11, 2007 at 6:30pm in the rotunda at City Hall. This is one of those meetings designed to give the appearance of public participation without any actual participation. The usual round of types — officials, business executives, etc… — have already approved of the plan on our behalf. How big of them to do so. I assume tonight will also be a chance for all these folks to congratulate each other on a job well done. I’ll be there simply because I need to see what sort of disasterous plan the city has drafted this time. Any comment forms will likely be a waste of paper.

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Developer paves front yard for condo parking, hearing on the 6th

For years the large building at the corner of Halliday & Grand (map) was a trouble spot in the Tower Grove East neighborhood, the usual drug dealing and such. So it is no surprise that area residents are all glad a developer has converted the building into condos, but not all agree on the parking ‘solution.’ This story of parking has many issues and no obvious solution. St. Louis’ Board of Adjustment will try to make sense of it Wednesday (Meeting starts at 1:30pm, Room 208 City Hall).

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The small front yard wasn’t exactly paradise but it got paved anyway. Some neighbors say the developer, on a weekend and without a proper permit, created a concrete parking lot for four cars. These neighbors want to see it removed. Other neighbors say they don’t care for the solution but they must accept it to get an entrance marker for their street, Halliday. More on the entry marker later.

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Taxis Still Blocking Pedestrian Sidewalk at St. Louis’ Convention Center

This past January I had a post about the taxi situation in front of America’s Center, St. Louis’ convention center. Two things were happening. The main issue was the St. Louis Taxi Commission (which covers St. Louis City & County) set up a taxi stand in the direct path of pedestrians walking along Washington Ave. The second thing, as a result taxis were exiting the stand via the pedestrian crossing at 8th Street.

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Above is a good overall view looking east along Washington Avenue with the convention center entrance on the left and the convention hotel on the right, across the street. In the direct line of pedestrians walking along Washington are various planters, bollards, and a taxi. In the next block is access to a light rail station. Pedestrians are forced to either share the space with the taxis or walk in the driveway off to the left. Either way pedestrians are placed in the direct path of cars or buses. You’d think, in the interest of getting more activity downtown, we’d try to make the sidewalks as friendly as possible.

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The image above showed the pedestrian crossing at 8th street. Taxis leaving their designated stand would make a quick left through the ramp/crossing area to get onto Washington, go down 8th or head over to the hotel. For video of this in action see my prior post.

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As of yesterday two additional bollards had been placed to help prevent the taxis from leaving the stand through the pedestrian crossing. The other bollards shown were already in place back in January. While I am glad these were added it does not address the fact the sidewalk along one of our more important roads is being consumed by auto uses. This is all next to a wide road (4 lanes plus center).

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What does this image say about the priorities of St. Louis’ leaders?

In January I suggested the taxi stand be moved to the outside lane of Washington Ave. Here is what I wrote:

Set up the taxi stand on Washington Ave between 7th and 8th, moving the existing bus stop to the West of 8th but still in front of the convention center. Also allow parking on the opposite side of Washington next to the Renaissance Grand Hotel. A few spaces could be short-term spaces (15-30 minutes) for those running into Starbucks or Kinkos). The rest would serve the general area. At the end of that block An American Place restaurant could have 60ft or so for valet. Back at 7th and Washington I’d set up a single short-term space immediately adjacet to the visitor’s center.

Traffic, in my view, just isn’t that heavy to justify all the open lanes. Sure, we’ve got that 15 minute period in the morning and afternoon where traffic backs up for a block — maybe a block and a half. This section of Washington prohibits parking 24/7 while just up the street between 10th and Tucker (aka 12th) parking is allowed except for 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. We simply do not have massive two hour rush periods on Washington Ave.

The solution is this, allow parking on Washington Ave. with a couple of exceptions. On the westbound lane (north side of street) prohibit morning parking from say 7:30am to 8:30am. This keeps the two westbound lanes open in the AM when it is needed most. Conversely, allow parking on the eastbound lane (south side of street) prohibit afternoon parking from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. The same logic applies, afternoon traffic is predominently eastbound in the afternoon so keep the parking lane open for an hour. There is absolutely no logic in prohibiting parking in both directions both in the morning and afternoon.

We want those who work downtown but don’t live downtown to stick around after they leave the office. They should want to stay to walk around, have a drink, grab dinner and do some shopping. Instead of providing a pleasant place for this to happen we have Washington Ave configured as a thoroughfare to make vacating the city easy. Where the lead taxi is shown above should be a vendor cart selling hot dogs, soft drinks and bottled water (so long as the cart doesn’t block the sidewalk). This would leave a far better impression on visitors/workers than a couple of taxis sitting on the sidewalk.

St. Louis’ leaders need to wake up and realize they can give away millions in TIFs but if we don’t attend to the details of people where it matters most we will not have the type of downtown we seek.

 

Cardinals Parking by Permit Only

May 24, 2007 Downtown, Parking 4 Comments

Last night I was scootering home along 8th street (one-way south) during the baseball game. As you may have seen before, people park along 8th between Walnut and Clark. They also park along the curved part of 7th — both areas adjacent to the Bowling Hall of Fame. The signs indicate permit parking only. Permit parking only?

I asked one of the police officers working the area what it took to get a permit, he was unsure. Is it city officials parking in these spaces? Or friends of the Cardinals? Who issues the permits and how long are they valid? What is the cost of a permit and can just anyone buy one? Where will these people park once the Ballpark Village is under way and complete? Does the city get any revenue from this parking on the public street? Who pays for the police to make sure those who park there have valid permits?

I’m long on questions and short on answers.

 

St. Louis Board of Aldermen has Four (4) Staff Openings

The current session of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen is well underway but it seems new Aldermanic President Lewis Reed is yet to fill all the positions.  Four, including the legal counsel & clerk, are posted on the city’s website:

Administrative Aide (Board of Aldermen)

Salary
Minimum      
$0.00       
 

Nature of Work
This is responsible technical and administrative work in the Office of the President of the Board of Aldermen. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining accurate and timely information on the Aldermanic website, and must be available to assist Aldermen and staff members with computer hardware and software questions, including issues arising during Aldermanic sessions. Duties also include preparing copies of board bills and resolutions, maintaining computer supply inventories, delivering Aldermanic mail, and general office duties.

Minimum Qualifications
An Associate’s degree (or 60 credit hours) in Computer Technology or other relevant business or social science discipline, and at least one year of recent, administrative experience in an office setting with heavy public contact. Qualifying experience must demonstrate excellent software skills working within a microcomputer network infrastructure. OR An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
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Legal Counsel and Clerk (Board of Aldermen)

Salary
Minimum
$0.00

Nature of Work
Legal Counsel duties *review and respond to substantive law questions and request for legal opinions from all members of the Board of Aldermen and aldermanic staff. Respond to all requests for legal opinions regarding ordinance enforcement from various city operating departments. *review and advise members of the Board on legal issues related to pending legislation and budgetary matters *advise the Aldermanic President and members of the Personnel Committee on the development and implementation of legislative procedural policy for the Board *interact with attorneys and member of the general public regarding legislative matters and policies of the Board *represent members of the Board in their official capacity in all litigation whenever there exists a conflict of interest for the Office of the City Counselor *research and prepare draft legislation as requested by members of the Board *serve as Parliamentarian for all Board meetings and committee hearings *testify before all Aldermanic committees as requested by committee members
Clerk duties *responsible for file management of all pending legislation and legislative archives including the supervision of the content of Aldermanic website *prepare and maintain the budget for the Board *oversee the destruction and storage of Board files and records including the transfer of such files and records to electronic format *testify as to Aldermanic records in response to subpoenas *coordinate with the Board of Election on all ballot issues initiated by ordinance and special elections to fill aldermanic vacancies *develop and implement administrative policies for the Board as directed by the Personnel Committee *supervise all Board personnel and respond to all personnel issues *coordinate with the Office of the Mayor and Office of the City Register to ensure the proper enactment and publication of legislation adopted by the Board *serve as the City’s liaison with the Missouri Ethics Commission *prepare the minutes of all Board meetings and coordinate with the Office of the City Register for the proper publication of such minutes

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Graduation from a school of law approved by the Committee on Legal Education of the American Bar Association and current membership in the Missouri Bar in good standing.
Experience: At least two years of progressively responsible experience as a licensed attorney working in the areas of civil litigation, real estate, municipal contracts, or fiscal matters.

—–

Receptionist (Board of Aldermen)

Salary
Minimum    Maximum
$23,000.00    $27,000.00

Nature of Work
Responsibilities include greeting citizens and answering telephone inquiries in the office of St. Louis City Board of Aldermen. This position has heavy public contact.

Minimum Qualifications
Two years of experience serving as a receptionist or customer service representative. Prior experience must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and oral communication skills and knowledge of word processing software such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect and Access.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Some experience assisting the public in a federal, state, or local government setting. Knowledge of the Board of Aldermen and city departments and agencies in order to answer questions and assist customers.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary range: $23,000-27,000 plus medical benefits and parking. This is a non-civil service position.

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Secretary (Board of Aldermen)  

Salary
Minimum     
$27,000.00      
 

Nature of Work
Responsibilities include performing secretarial and administrative duties in the office of St. Louis City Board of Aldermen. This position has significant public contact.

Minimum Qualifications
Two years of recent experience as a Secretary. Must be proficient in using word processing, spreadsheet, and Internet and database computer applications, including Microsoft Products, WordPerfect, Access and Adobe Reader. Must type at least 40 words per minute. Must be a resident of the City of St. Louis or be willing to relocate to the City within 120 days of permanent hiring.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Some experience assisting the public in a federal, state, or local government setting. Academic background in Office Technology or Paralegal.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary: $27,000-medical benefits, life insurance and parking. This is a non-civil service position.

—–

HOW TO APPLY

Applications can be submitted on the Internet. Visit our website at www.stlouiscity.com and link to Jobs with the City. Or, applications forms can be picked up in the Board of Aldermen Office, Room 230 City Hall, 1200 Market Street.

I like how “parking” is considered a job benefit.  Shouldn’t the city be setting an example for private companies by offering free transit passes rather than free parking?

 

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