Majority of Readers Support Proposition B

In the poll last week a majority of those that took the poll support the passage of Prop B while nearly 22% indicated additional regulation on puppy mills was a bad idea.

Q: Thoughts on Proposition B, on the Missouri ballot, also known as the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act:

1. A good idea, puppy mills are inhumane and tougher regulation is needed 118 [67.43%]
2. A bad idea, just more government regulation 38 [21.71%]
3. More regulation is needed, but this measure is excessive 13 [7.43%]
4. Other answer… 4 [2.29%]
5. Unsure/no opinion 2 [1.14%]

The four other answers were:

1. Don’t trust HSUS, MO has laws already
2. gimme all the puppies you can, they make good eats
3. Puppy mills are inhumane, but this is model legislation that will have no affect
4. Laws already exist. They need to be enforced.

I’m with the majority on this one, I’ll be voting yes on Prop B on Tuesday.

– Steve Patterson

Sixth Anniversary of UrbanReviewSTL.com

Today marks the sixth anniversary of this blog. I had no idea what I was doing at first, I just needed  a distraction from my Dad who was recovering from a heart attack on 10/1/2004. Many things have happened since:

• In early 2005 I ran for alderman in the 25th ward. I lost the race.
• After Katrina I bought a 49cc scooter.
• In 2006 my Mom passed away. Later that year I started the Master of Arts in Urban Planning & Real Estate Development (UPRED) program at Saint Louis University.
• In 2007 I went car-free and moved to a loft downtown.
• On New Year’s Day 2008 my Dad passed away.  A month later, to the day, I had a massive stroke from a hemorrhage on the right side of my brain.  I was hospitalized for three months.
• In 2009 I finished the coursework for my degree.

As my life has changed this blog has changed.  Where I live, where I go and how I get there plays a big role in what I write about.

Tomorrow, as I start year seven, I look forward to the next six years and beyond.  Thank you!

– Steve Patterson

Poll: What Do We Have That Will Help Our City Grow & Prosper?

At first I thought I’d go the negative route this week and ask what is it that will hold us back. But I quickly decided to flip it around and look at the positive first, saving the negative for a future poll.

Thus the poll question this week is: What do we have that will help the City of St. Louis to grow & prosper in the next 20-30 years is?

I’ve included a variety of answers, including that we won’t grown & prosper.  No doubt you will have other suggestions.  I’m optimistic that despite our leadership we will grow.  This is mainly due to national trends of increasing disinterest in suburbia among young adults, demographic changes, etc.

– Steve Patterson

Affordable Housing In Granite City, IL

Eight new homes were recently completed on infill lots to the east of downtown Granite City, IL.

The one-story house I toured was very basic, a good home for someone needing an accessible residence.  Granite City, IL still needs to work on sidewalks and curb ramps so that a disabled resident living in one of these houses could reach the grocery store, bank, post office, bus transfer station and so on.

The model Justine PETERSON is using for the houses is interesting, an affordable rent-to-buy arrangement.

• Those eligible must be below 80% of the median income.
• Rent is $595.
• The current value of the homes is $150,000; after the 15-year rental tenure, the tenant pays 60% of the market value of the home at that juncture.

– Steve Patterson

PR: French Hosts 3rd Annual Halloween “Safe Zones” for Kids in North St. Louis