Steve Patterson
Recent Posts
Readers Have Positive Impression of South Grand Road Diet
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A few years ago a few blocks of South Grand underwent a road diet: In 2009, South Grand Boulevard was selected as one of four Great Streets Initiative pilot projects in the St. Louis region. Since 2006, East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWG) has been helping communities in the St. Louis region ...
Downtown’s Bike Station Opened Four Years Ago
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Many thought we’d never get a bike station — a place to shower, change clothes, and store your bike. After it opened the question became how long would it remain open? Today marks four years, in that time Trailnet moved their offices from a storefront space at 16th & Washington ...
Potholes at Curb Ramps
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Potholes are annoying, but if you’re watching the road you can often miss them. When I drive our car I do my best to avoid potholes, but in my power wheelchair I often can’t miss them — they’re at the bottom of the curb ramps. When the city builds ramps ...
Readers: MetroBus and MetroLink Are Equally Safe
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I’ve been a regular rider of public transit in St. Louis for a few years now, I’ve never felt unsafe or witnessed any crime. Still, a recent assault on a train has many concerned. Talking to people over the years some would only ride MetroLink light rail, they’d never consider ...
What Will Become of the Historic Former Arsenal Site Once the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Relocates?
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The battle over where the National Geospatial-Intellegence Agency (NGA) will relocate intensified recently when Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner stepped late in the game with a bid across the Mississippi River: St. Clair County has agreed to donate land near Scott Air Force Base and MidAmerica Airport to the combined defense and ...
Top-Down Auto-Centric Thinking Continues In Ferguson – Still Time To Change
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We all know the phrase: “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Those living in low-income areas, especially those of color, have been sent this message for decades: Mill Creek Valley, Pruitt-Igoe, etc. In other words, we know what’s best for you so just accept what we decide to ...
Two Community Plans Intersect at Former Ferguson QuikTrip Site
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Before Michael Brown was shot & killed last August, community planning had been completed to improve parts of Ferguson & neighboring municipalities. In 2011 Great Rivers Greenway District completed the Maline Greenway Concept Plan, in June 2014 East-West Gateway Council of Governments completed the West Florissant Avenue Great Streets Master ...
St. Louis Population May Drop Below 300K In 2020 Census
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We’re at the midpoint between the 2010 & 2020 Census, in six years we’ll have the results of the 2020 Census. St. Louis’ population peaked in the 1950 Census — dropping in the following 6. Here’s a quick look: I think these figures are a reflection of what was happening ...
Contractor Thought the Sidewalk Was a Good Location For Construction Signs
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Recently, while taking 14th Street, I noticed construction signs limiting the width of the too-narrow public sidewalk — the East side between Olive & Locust — adjacent to the main library. I posted one image to Facebook & Twitter with the caption: “14th street sidewalk almost completely blocked by temp ...
Will the Urban League’s New Ferguson Center Be Urban or Suburban?
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This afternoon the Urban League is going to give more details about something they released on Friday, a new center at the site of the burn-out QuikTrip on West Florissant in Ferguson: On Friday, the Urban League said the center would be “an important extension of its services in North ...
Downtown Papa John’s To Reopen in Different Parking Garage
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After Papa John’s Founder & CEO John Schnatter commented on the Affordable Care Act during the 2012 presidential campaign I stopped patronizing the downtown location — then located just 4 blocks East. My taste buds, waistline, and wallet were grateful. It will be nice seeing a business in these storefronts facing ...
Potential on 22nd Street Across From Possible National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Location
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Let’s assume the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency selects the 100-acre site in North St. Louis, over three others in the region, for its new campus, see Urban Renewal Officially Ended In 1974, Still Alive In St. Louis. Will this help or hinder the redevelopment of the surrounding blocks? The planned clearance ...