Buildings on Locust Still Standing

The Roberts Brother had planned to raze these two structures as part of converting the building to the right to a Hotel Indigo.  I assume that project is on hold, a victim of the economy.  While I wish the windows were still in the one building, I’d rather see these two buildings remain standing & vacant than razed for an auto court.

– Steve Patterson

Corner Stores Popping Up Everywhere

Last week I was driving home on 7th when a bright store at Olive caught my eye.On Monday I was back in the area and snapped the above picture.  It wasn’t until last night I figured out this new corner store downtown is a Fred’s Cheapo Depot.  Locals will recognize Fred as the guy that has been selling “dirt cheap” alcohol & smokes for years.  I’m an avid non-smoker but I may stop in to check out their spirits. This store is certainly better than a vacant storefront.

I’m seeing what appears to be more and more small corner stores throughout the city.  What they lack in selection and parking the make up for in convenience.

– Steve Patterson

Readers: City, Not State, Should Control Police

Last week readers overwhelmingly voted to support local control of the St. Louis Police, Missouri has controlled the police since the Civil War.

Q: The issue of local control vs state control of the St. Louis Police is a hot topic, thoughts?

1. St. Louis should control the police but with changes to the local charter 47 [40.52%]
   
2. St. Louis should control the police with no changes to the local charter 23 [19.83%]
   
3. The police should stay under the control of Missouri. 18 [15.52%]
   
4. Police pensions need to be protected 10 [8.62%]
   
5. Police need to accept concessions 9 [7.76%]
   
6. Really? The Governor controls the city police? 6 [5.17%]
   
7. Other answer… 3 [2.59%]
   
8. Unsure/no opinion 0 [0%]

The three other answers were:

1. Mayor Slay should become a Police Officer
2. Not sure whether charter should change, but the city should be in control
3. all police forces should be controled at the state or county level

The last one above confuses me since St. Louis is both a city and a county.  The St. Louis Police Officers Association has this to say:

Local Control advocates say that the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Dept. (SLMPD) will be more accountable to the City. They further contend that Police, Fire, and Civil Service pension systems will bankrupt the City; therefore, Local Control will make the City more financially sound.

This Is Not True. Please consider the following 7 Facts:

• FACT #1: The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) is already accountable to the City.
• FACT #2: The City’s real problem is poor fiscal management; Local Control is a ruse.
• FACT #3: Local Control will result in unnecessary political influence over SLMPD.
• FACT #4: The St. Louis Police Pension System is a victim of the City’s poor fiscal management.
• FACT #5: Local Control will subject SLMPD to the City’s overly-burdensome bureaucracy.
• FACT #6: The St. Louis City Police operate much more efficiently without City intervention.
• FACT #7: The hidden agenda behind Local Control is an unfair money grab.

Hard to argue with their points, but I’ll give it a shot.  control of a police force belongs at the local level regardless of local incompetence.  Changes to the city’s charter are likely necessary to establish a modern structure for governance.  Frankly, I’d like to see a major restructuring of the city charter as a condition of local control of the police.

– Steve Patterson

Broken Planter Discouraging to See

Not quite sure what to say about this broken planter I spotted last week.  Mostly I’m curious about who would do this and why.  My first thought was someone out partying after they’d had too much to drink. It was definitely discouraging to see.

– Steve Patterson

Be My Valentine St. Louis

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” wrote 19th century poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I’ve had a 20 love. The relationship wasn’t always ideal, thoughts of breaking up occurred numerous times.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwlYo8EYTWI

I never figured out how to quit St. Louis. Here are ten reasons I love St. Louis:

1. The compact/walkable street grid
2. The 19th & early 20th century vernacular architecture
3. The long & rich history
4. The challenges we face as a city
5. The diversity of the residents
6. The openness to the LGBTQ community
7. The Mississippi River
8. Our many public parks
9. The growing group of young urbanists activating the city.
10. The enormous unrealized potential.

I could more easily list reasons to hate St. Louis but 100 of those aren’t as strong as the above 10.  Please add your reasons to the list in the comments.

– Steve Patterson