Plantings Along Tucker Add Interest
The project to replace the old Tucker Blvd, filling in the long-abandoned passenger rail tunnel, is nearing completion. Motorists and pedestrians can now travel between Washington Ave and Cass Ave., approximately 3/4 of a mile (map). Tuesday night the boyfriend and I went for a walk up to Cass and back (I rolled, he walked).
I’d been up/down the new Tucker a few times before but this time I paid attention to the plantings located in bulb-outs at the ends of parking lanes, medians, tree lawn, etc. Some of the bulb-outs are designed as a rain garden, set up to catch rainwater from the road and sidewalk.
I’m excited to see Tucker 100% complete with all the planting areas weeded. I’m also looking forward to seeing development occur along Tucker, especially at Cass.
Since this area lacks a form-based code, or anything else requiring new construction to recognize the existence of the new public sidewalks, I’m afraid it’ll end up being geared only to motorists, ignoring pedestrians completely. Maybe Paul McKee will do the.. right thing and develop the area with pedestrians and motorists in mind…
— Steve Patterson
Am I the only one having difficulty with images loading in posts recently?
no. the images stopped loading in my rss for here. so i come to the site and it takes forever to load lately.
Still experiencing some technical issues, working to get them resolved. I appreciate your patience.
Still experiencing some technical issues, working to get them resolved. I appreciate your patience.
No worries. I was just afraid it was me!
No worries. I was just afraid it was me!
The only thing I would say about street plantings is that in general an understanding of the transit development should proceed any plantings. I know Grand Ave better than 12th street although the issues are similar.
I don’t object to the plantings per se, but what about transit solutions for the future that may require these plantings to be torn out?
I just don’t see the discussion of what is it exactly we as a society should look like in regards to transit in 20 or 30 years.
Given the status of the planet you would think such a discussion would be on the front burner. But hey, this is St. Louis.
The planters themselves can be nice when they are properly maintained, but many would have to be removed if and when St. Louis ever implements and plans for a robust transit system.
It is hard to see why overall strategies and goals are not discussed in public. Planters, while well meaning, are yet another diversion from the serious issues that face St. Louis and America. Installing planters does beautify things, but any analysis should show that a focus for enhanced landscaping in existing thoroughfares would result in an improvement in aesthetics.
Neighborhoods need to take an active role is supporting such local quality of life improvements. Once again, it comes back to leadership. Forget “planning”. What we need is leadership. Planners can come up with all sorts of ideas and plans. But without someone or some group of people working to make things happen, forget it. I bet the planters on Tucker came about because the Downtown Residents Association made a priority out of it. So how do we get similar traffic “softening” improvements up and down roads like Gravois and Natural Bridge?
You’re right, downtown has pushed rain gardens but so has MSD. The city engineers at BPS are aware of various techniques to reduce water runoff.
As for streets like Gravois & Natural Bridge, these often run through multiple wards. South Grand, Tucker and other recent streetscapes aren’t very long, under a mile. Manchester in the Grove is another example.
This takes someone championing the effort to plan, design, fund, and build a new streetscape. This can come from numerous locations but those crossing ward boundaries require more effort.
All it takes is for residents from across ward boundaries to work together.
All it takes is for residents from across ward boundaries to work together.
Neighborhoods need to take an active role is supporting such local quality of life improvements. Once again, it comes back to leadership. Forget “planning”. What we need is leadership. Planners can come up with all sorts of ideas and plans. But without someone or some group of people working to make things happen, forget it. I bet the planters on Tucker came about because the Downtown Residents Association made a priority out of it. So how do we get similar traffic “softening” improvements up and down roads like Gravois and Natural Bridge?
Hello.im a resident here in old north st louis.i am in favor of any and all improvements to the area, as long as the people in charge want to do this for the right reasons and not just to get richer off of the people that this plan effect.i want to stay and be apart of all the changes down here but I dont want to lose everything ive worked for in my life.