Vision
Our goal is to improve public infrastructure to foster accessibility, walking, cycling and public transportation while accommodating the automobile. Infrastructure improvements will be completed in an environmentally conscious manner. Sensitive storm water management and lighting that illuminates the ground, not the sky, will be integral to our “complete streets” approach. The Central West End Midtown Development area will be well maintained, visually interesting, providing an opportunity for vibrant public culture through well designed “place-making.” CWEMD recognizes it is the responsibility of various utility companies (water, electric, gas, telephone, cable, etc) to maintain their infrastructure without our assistance.
Some goals can be completed sooner while most will be completed incrementally over a longer time frame. Infrastructure planning will consider poor existing conditions to ensure a minimum standard is maintained while working to achieve long-term objectives. We have identified the following goals and the activities required to achieve them.
Goal #1 – Accessible and Safe
All residents, workers and visitors to the area must be able to access the public right-of-way regardless of physical disability. The infrastructure in the CWEMD area is generally well maintained. However, there are aspects of the infrastructure that do not conform to an acceptable standard.
Sidewalks, Curbs and Alleys
Short Term (1-3 Years)
Ensure that the primary forms of public infrastructure are passable and accessible.
Street Lighting
Long Term (6-10 Years)
Install pedestrian streetlights in to provide uniform visibility throughout the area at night. The first priority is streets with no pedestrian lighting. The second priority will be improving lighting on streets that already have pedestrian lights.
Signalization
Short Term (1-3 Years)
Install “countdown” and auditory pedestrian signals at all crossings with high traffic counts. This is particularly important because all people should be able to access institutions such as Forest Park, Saint Louis University, the Washington University Medical Center and the Cathedral Basilica without fear of injury.
Bus Stops
Long Term (6-10 Years)
Each Metro stop should have appropriate amenities, such as a paved platform, seating and trash receptacles.
Goal #2 – No Car Needed
A car should be a luxury, not a necessity for neighborhood residents. Achieving this will require many improvements:
Better Public Transit and Transit Facilities
Intermediate Term (4-6 Years)
MetroLink provides fast access to downtown to the east and Clayton/Richmond Heights to the west. We will advocate for improved connections to MetroLink and destinations in our area.
Bike Lanes/Way Finding/Bike Facilities
Intermediate Term (4-6 Years)
Cycling is recognized as a primary form of transportation, not just recreation. Investing in bike lanes, sign and facilities will make cycling safer and more convenient.
Car Sharing
Intermediate Term (4-6 Years)
Cars are sometimes needed in areas where they are not usually necessary. Car sharing makes a car available for a flat fee when only a few trips per month are necessary. The cars are reserved for specific times on specific dates though the Internet. This is an ideal service for those who occasionally use a car but do not wish to own one. Car sharing is popular in many large cities. As neighborhood density increases and more services become available, car sharing will be a more viable option.
Parking Management
Long Term (7-10 Years)
While residents will need cars less in the future, neighborhood visitors will continue to use them to access the area. With high land value the neighborhood will lose surface parking. Structured parking will be the main parking option in the future. Structured parking costs are high. Flexibility from the owners of structured parking is vital to minimizing the need for new facilities.
Goal #3 – Visually Interesting
The area should be clean, well-maintained, visually interesting and appealing. Landscaping and “place-making” will be carefully considered creating an atmosphere of beauty and stimulation.
Cleanliness
Short Term (1-3 Years)
Public spaces will be well maintained. Appropriate maintenance will create a litter-free and clean area.
Trees and Plants
Long Term (7-10 Years)
Trees will be evaluated for their health and replanting will take place when trees are removed. Planting trees appropriate to their location is important so they are in harmony with other neighborhood infrastructure elements. Plantings will be cared for to ensure they are a positive neighborhood amenity.
Place-Making” and Public Art
Long Term (7-10 Years)
Our emphasis is on creating a robust public culture by making interesting public spaces. Public art must contribute to the overall desirability of the area. It is important to avoid the temptation to create public art with no context. Necessary public infrastructure provides abundant opportunities to enhance the visual character of the area without clutter.
Goal #4 – Environmentally Progressive
We seek to reintegrate natural ecological processes into the urban landscape, to the greatest extent possible. These activities are vital in creating a sustainable neighborhood.
Storm Water
Long Term (7-10 Years)
The lack of treatment capacity means it is not uncommon for raw sewage to flow into our rivers. The projects we implement will demonstrate processes for reducing storm water runoff in an effective manner.
Lighting
Long Term (7-10 Years)
CWEMD commissioned Randy Burkett Lighting Design to devise pedestrian lighting standards for the area. The light level specified was 1 foot candle for commercial areas and .5 foot candles in residential areas. We will use technology to the greatest extent possible to light the ground, not the sky.
Funding
Cost estimates for achieving the goals and objectives will be added as they are determined.
Funding for projects will come from many sources. St. Louis City annually allocates infrastructure funds by ward. The 17th Ward alderman makes a certain amount of these funds available for the Central West End Midtown area. CWEMD obtains funds from developers who build and renovate buildings. Some of these funds are made available for infrastructure projects. The Central West End South and Southeast business districts have funds which can be used for infrastructure projects. Neighborhood property owners can make funds available to assist in project implementation. Because infrastructure costs are quite large, implementation of projects typically requires these funds to be used in various combinations.