Q: Missouri’s Public Safety Dept can now commission corporate security advisors, include arrest powers.
Strongly opposed 19 [50%]
TIE 4 [10.53%]
Somewhat support
Opposed
Somewhat opposed 3 [7.89%]
TIE 2 [5.26%]
Support
Strongly support
Neutral
Unsure/No Answer
Overall those opposed far outnumber supporters — 68.42% to 21.05%.
The new applies to off-duty or retired police officers that work security for corporations like Anheuser Busch, Ameren, and even Metro.
“Metrolink has officers in that have authority in Missouri and Illinois, some are St. Louis City, some are St. Louis County, some are St. Clair so they’re all cross deputized so this simplifies that process,” said Hill.
But opponents like Patricia Bynes, the Democratic committeewoman for Ferguson, say the new statute gives security guards too much power.
“When you’re a police officer you have a certain jurisdiction that you have to police in, this goes beyond that as long as you work for a corporation in this state you have those powers in the state, that’s extremely scary,” said Bynes. (KMOV)
I don’t see anything good coming from this, only bad. Hopefully I’m wrong.
The new IKEA St. Louis opens tomorrow, the 8th IKEA I’ve visited. I first stepped into an IKEA store over 25 years ago. So long, in fact, that location (Woodbridge) has been physically replaced by a new building. I’ve filled several cars before, I’ve also bought a few small items to fit in carry-on luggage. I’ll have to adjust to having a location just 20 minutes away by public transit. So I have some personal advice based on my experiences.
The Post-Dispatch ran a story on how to survive IKEA, it was a good list but I disagree with one:
7. Don’t go hungry expecting you will eat something right away. You will walk through an entire floor of the showroom before you encounter the cafeteria. Then, there will be lines. You don’t want to have low-blood sugar in an Ikea.
This is incorrect. At IKEA you start at the top level and work your way down, at their locations you can easily access the restaurant upon reaching the top floor. This is especially true in St. Louis. The restaurant opens 30 minutes before the main store does so you can grab a bite to eat, review your list, and such.
Initially, expect lines. Most of the following pics are from the press/media tour last Wednesday — a few are from the family & friends day on Saturday.
Upon entering from the surface parking or parking love; below the store you’ll see stairs, escalator, and elevator on the East end. All these lead you up to the 2nd floor.At the 2nd floor you’ll go through the automatic glass doors and reach this point. Here you can leave the young ones in the nursery area or use the restroom. If you know you want to reach something on this floor, say lighting, you can skip the 3rd floor. However, newbies should start on the 3rd floor and follow the arrows.To the right of the 2nd floor restrooms are lockers if you need to store stuff while you shop. I didn’t see any keys last week, not sure exactly how these are accessed. The elevator is to the left of the restrooms.Of the IKEA locations I’ve visited this restaurant is the open and inviting. This is looking East.It is cafeteria-styke, but there is more than one line. Looks for daily specials to save money. They have rolling carts that hold 4-5 trays so you don’t have to male your kids carry their own tray and worry they’ll spill it.Long lines on Saturday thoughThe 3rd floor has areas like sofas, bed, tables, office, etc.The 3rd floor also has complete rooms like living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchensThere are three small apartments on the 3rd floor so you can see complete living spaces.Back down on the 2nd floor is where you’ll find lots of smaller products. This $4,79 food storage set is one of my favorites — we bought a 3rd set on Saturday.The lighting section has always been a favorite, like the entire store, this is all LEDs.The art & accessories area has pieces of various sizes that won’t break the bank.Then you’ll find items you saw on display on the 3rd floor available in the warehouse. Display items have the aisle & section number on the price tag so you can locate them here.On SaturdayCheck out lines are ready.On Saturday every line was going, cashiers getting lots of experience. Starting October 1st they’ll be ready for EMV/Chip credit cards. No NFC payment though.At the exit you can use the elevator, stairs, or travelator to get to the ground for. The travelator holds carts so they don’t roll down. Be prepared to push the cart at the bottom.
I’m glad we now have an IKEA, now trips to Chicago can avoid suburbia. Here’s a scene from an early episode of CBS’ ‘Big Bang Theory’ about assembling flat packed furniture.
I’ll be there tomorrow morning as official raise flags in front go the entrance around 8:30am. I’ll visit with a good friend who is 7th in line.
Last week I looked at Duncan Ave and how it ends at IKEA, from a visit on the 11th. Today we’ll look at the access points to IKEA from Duncan Ave., Forest Park Ave., and Vandeventer Ave., from a visit on the 23rd.
Ended last week’s post on Duncan Ave. looking back West from the IKEA property line
I’d arrived at this point by coming East on Duncan. Today let’s travel the way many pedestrians will, from Sarah & Forest Park. I got off the #10 MetroBus on Lindell at Sarah, then headed South., about a third of a mile
Looking South across Forest Park. The new crossing pedestrian refuge is just getting finished. IKEA is to the left, just out of viewLooking back North after crossing, Hopefully the crosswalk striping will be done soon. Note that it’s a straight shot from side to center to opposite side.The crosswalk & stop line at the East end of Duncan Ave weren’t painted when I visited on the 11th, but it had a basic upon return. This is within the public-right-of-way.Now we start into the West entry to IKEA’s site. Once the new MetroLink light rail station opens this may see a lot of foot traffic. IKEA uses the more visible ‘continental’ crosswalk on site. This auto drive leads out to Forest Park Ave.Looking East toward the store, a construction truck is blocking the view & crosswalk, but they were trying to finish up.On the 11th I was horrified to see four of these awful bike racks placed too close together. Upon inquiry I was told they were temporary, the permanent racks to be installed soon.Less than 2 weeks later excellent inverted-U racks had arrived & were installed. The employees using the racks need to be shown how to use them so their bikes are supported.
Next let’s assume that after crossing Forest Park Ave I’d headed East to enter IKEA. These photos are all from my visit on the 11th.
At the edge of the property is the only auto entrance on Forest ParkWe continue East, after crossing this major in/out vehicular driveAfter crossing the drive we can clearly see IKEA beyond the storm water runoff collectorThe first of two pedestrian routes from the Forest Park public sidewalk to the IKEA. Let’s continue East toward Vandeventer Ave and enter on the other accessible routeLooking back we see the walkway crosses over the drainage area.At the other pedestrian entry we can look bak West toward Sarah. The parking lane along Forest Park remains, it would be nice if the city striped it with a solid white line to separate it from the outside drive lane.Looking South at the IKEA entryFrom the walkway looking back North toward Forest Park AveAlmost to the entrance, disabled parking is on both sides of this walkway and under the buildingIn front of the entry looking North. Pedestrians have two ADA-compliant options for getting through the front parking lot. Every big box store needs to do this!From the 3rd floor restaurant looking North we can see the path we just used to get inside from the public sidewalk.
Now let’s go out to the intersection of Forest Park Ave & Vandeventer Ave, the city has been busy trying to make it better for pedestrians.
Like we saw at Sarah, crosswalks aren’t yet marked, so vehicles stop where they block the crossing point.Looking North after crossing Vandeventer. Unlike at Sarah, the route here isn’t a straight shot. From the pedestrian refuge in the median I see the curb ramp on the other side aren’t finished. At this point I notice the pedestrian signals speaking for the visually impaired say “Forest Park Parkway” instead of “forest Park Avenue” The visual signs on the street lights are correct thoughGot a break so I can cross..hopefullyLooking back South we see this side has a zig zag pattern too. This will become more apparent once the crosswalk stripes are done.
And last let’s look at access points from Vandeventer Ave. With Saint Louis University nearby and a retail development coming across the street pedestrian volume in this area will rise sharply. These photos were taken on the 11th, 23rd, and 26th.
A new signalized intersection on Vandeventer Ave for IKEA Way, which is located about where the non-signalized Duncan Ave was. A new crosswalk was added to the South side of the intersection. Eventually the site to the East will be a retail development. Sept 23rdLooking North we can see the primary vehicular entry from Vandeventer, IKEA Way. Sept 11thTurning again we see a pedestrian entrance up the hill. This is an ADA ramp, due to the grade it has periodic flat rest points, the side handrails weren’t yet installed on the 11thAt the top we see a clear path the entry, only having to cross traffic at one point. Ahead is the exit from the parking level below the building.This East view from the 3rd floor restaurant gives you an overview. Sept 23rd. The parking at the bottom is the “family parking” area
There’s a second entrance off Vandeventer for vehicles, and some pedestrians.
For those coming from the South, such as The Grove, this is the view along Vandeventer before reaching the pedestrian entry & IKEA WayBut navigating this would be a challengeBut they’ve got a sidewalk for pedestrians and a drive for motorists.From the top we turn to the North and we can see the pedestrian route is clearly marked. Onward…But we soon run into a major problem. If you can’t see it that’s part of the problem.Here’s a side view so help you see the uncovered drainage channel breaking up what appears to be a pedestrian route.The opposite view. which I encountered on the 11th when I almost didn’t see it aheadAnother side view, this taken on the 11thAnd looking out toward Vandeventer
Obviously someone screwed up! This is a pity, they were doing so well too. Yes, they have other entries which are ADA-compliant, but this is just stupid — compliance would’ve been so easy had they provided a way to set in a steel plate/grate to cross over the drainage. Someone is going to get hurt here. Despite this mistake, IKEA did more than what is required by the ADA and St. Louis. Pedestrian access turned out better than I’d expected.
Other retailers & developers — please take note they have provided pedestrian access from all three public streets adjacent to their property!
As previously mentioned, the 2-story IKES is elevated over a level of parking
Tomorrow I’ll take you inside the IKEA store, with photos I took last week following the media lunch & during Saturday afternoon’s family & friend’s day.
Recently the Missouri legislature overrode the veto of 10 bills, allowing them to become law. One, SCS HB 878, relates to corporate security:
Gives the Public Safety Department authority to commission corporate security advisors. It would deny licensed corporate security advisers arrest powers unless they are commissioned by the department. It grants immunity to the department from lawsuits for commissioning corporate security officers. Nixon’s veto letter argued that the bill would give private security officers police powers including the power of arrest and to search private property. (Neosho Daily News)
So what do you think about this new law?
The poll will close at 8pm, answers are randomized.
Though not always easy, I like to end the week on a positive note. Today’s post is positive in that something bad hasn’t happened, hopefully won’t.
June 2013: The first two buildings remain threatened with demolition. I’m not attached to them, I just want buildings not a circle driveway.Still standing…but still threatened, Massing here is better than yet another void.
The corner building, 923 Locust, didn’t always have that fake half-timber look. The second, however, is mostly original. As I’m not a preservationist, I have no problem razing one or both of these. As an urbanist, the only acceptable solution would be new buildings of equal or greater massing.
This is one reason why the Downtown Neighborhood Association is looking to add a form-based zoning overlay. I think Thursday October 8th is the date for the first public meeting on the subject. I’ll have details before then.
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