Some out there may get the impression I’m against all development. Well that is just not the case. Still I can be pretty negative at times so here is a list of some of the things I see as positive development in the city – the things that get me excited about the future of Saint Louis:
Continued rehabilitation, adaption and reuse of existing buildings:
All over the city we are seeing everything from existing shotgun cottages to old schools to large warehouse buildings being reconfigured internally to meet today’s lifestyles. This work is being done by individuals and large developers alike. We have the state historic rehab tax credit to thank for aiding in much of this, especially on the larger projects. After decades of writing off so many great old structures it is great to see their qualities be appreciated. By renovating these structures, many once vacant, we are adding density and thus strengthening multiple neighborhoods. We are also showing that building types once thought to be obsolete can again be functional. Creativity is winning out over demolition in many areas.
The East Loop area
Even just five years ago, it would have been easy for many to justify more suburban new construction East of Skinker. People would have pointed to the gas station and Church’s Chicken on the corners and count the area a lost cause to the automobile. Joe Edwards saw a continued pedestrian-friendly environment and he has worked toward that goal. Metro narrowed the street from four lanes to just two — widening the sidewalks in the process.
So many of our streets were widened in the first half of the 20th century when our population was significantly greater — widening sidewalks and narrowing streets is certainly a positive.
Old North St Louis:
Today the neighborhood is vastly different than when I moved there in 1991. The 1970’s mistake, a pedestrian mall, is finally being removed and 14th street is being reopened again. Buildings, some barely still standing, are being renovated — again by individuals and through large development deals. If not for the hard work of many individuals on smaller projects (single buildings) would we see the larger efforts today. The work of one person renovating a single small structure should never be discounted — For more than 30 years now individuals have been bringing back the neighborhood.
Mass Transit:
The continued development of our mass transit choices is exciting to me. Sure Metro has screwed up before and they will do so again but we must keep our sights on the goal of being able to navigate our region both through the use of public transit and the private bicycle. As someone who is only recently disabled, our mass transit system will play an important role in my having mobility.
New urban infill development
Many get excited by proposed new high-rise towers. Me? Not so much. I prefer more modest structures in the 2-8 story range. The building on the NE corner of Sarah & Laclede, known as 6 North, is just such an example (see my review from three years ago). New infill construction along Park in the Lafayette Square neighborhood helps define an urban public street. The modern loft apartments on Forest Park Parkway at Euclid (with the Bread Co) is another good example of new urban infill.
Just having new construction isn’t enough for me — they have new construction out in O’Fallon but that doesn’t mean it creates the environment I want to be surrounded with.
Dogs in the city
I’ve always been a cat person but in the city it is the urban dog that rules. The owner walks the dog to an outdoor cafe where strangers now begin conversations about the dog’s breed and so on. Dog parks have formed that bring people together in new ways. It is hard to walk around many neighborhoods without seeing a person out walking their dog. Each and every one is an encouraging symbol.
Conclusion
So while others get excited about proposals for a particular high-rise, another casino or even a “district” like the 3-block Ballpark Village concept or the Bottleworks proposal, I’m more content with modest examples of urbanity. Slick marketing and hype turns me off. Simple urbanity, on the other hand, gets me stirred up. A good form-based zoning code is totally sexy. Laws that encourage an active street life (making it easier for street performers, street vendors and such) would be so cool.
I will continue to point out design flaws when big ticket projects that, for example, fail to include proper pedestrian pathways get built with or without public subsity. I will continue to point out how our elected leaders repeat mistakes of the past and how they focus on the short term (ground breakings, ribbon cuttings) while not always considering the long-term sustainability of the project. This doesn’t make me anti-development or a naysayer, it’s just me being vocal about my expectations and how they were not met. We need many more people standing up and articulating what it is they want and expect from their surroundings.
As they come along I will try harder to highlight what I see as positive contributions to our build environment because they are out there.
