“Great Streets,” Complete Streets,” “new urbanism,” “placemaking,” are different names for the same objective; making public areas and streets more attractive and friendly for all users.  This objective is currently being discussed by community leaders including Aldermen Jennifer Florida and Stephen Conway for South Grand.

The Great Streets Initiative is seeking to provide an attractive environment by incorporating environmentally sensitive design standards and environmentally sound development techniques.  The intent of these projects are to foster the creation of streets that serve a variety of purposes.  Ensuring safe pedestrian environments, fostering economic development, providing connections to adjacent neighborhoods, moving traffic safely and efficiently are some of the goals of the sought by the initiative.

Since 2006, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWGCOG) has been helping communities in the St. Louis region focus attention on the importance of streets as centers of the community and implement the Great Streets Initiative.  The Initiative has helped community leaders, such as South Grand Aldermen Florida and Conway, to use their streets to create connections and enhance economic and social activities. It is hoped with this collaborative process economic and social benefits will be triggered for the community.

The South Grand Community Improvement District (CID) is implementing part of the Great Streets Initiative and has partnered with local business, religious, community, political leaders and the City of St. Louis to submit an application for South Grand between Arsenal and Utah.  To help with this process, EWGCOG and Aldermen Florida and Conway have sought out the consultant team of RCLCO, a nationally known real estate and economic development firm, to examine various options to improve the economic health of the corridor.

As part of the the South Grand Great Streets project, several things are being considered including traffic lanes, transit systems, parking lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, off-street parking, storm water management systems, street trees, lighting, and signage for South Grand. Approximately $3 million has been secured through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the project.  This money must be used for developing a final design and will cover some of the construction costs.  The project must be completed within a mandated time frame in order to meet the criteria required for securing and maintaining the federal dollars allocated.

Final plans for the project must be approved by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) by March 2, 2010.  Once the approval is in place, the City of St. Louis will work with MODOT to advertise for bids and select a construction contractor.  The bidding and construction selection could take several months, but it is hoped that construction can start in late 2010.

As part of the project, public input has and is being sought.  There have been public meetings with the most recent o Wednesday August 12. At that meeting a group of citizens engaged in a Design Charette and voted on their priorities for the project.  EWGCOG has allowed those who were unable to attend that meeting to still have their voices heard.  Click (here) to submit your input into the project.

As this project moves forward, the St. Louis Great Streets Initiative will undoubtedly make South Grand a better place for St. Louisans and visitors alike.  Thanks to the elected officials, especially Alderwoman Florida, who have moved this project forward.