tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91797656635717509572011-08-01T15:06:40.534-05:00Thoughts and ideas for Crystal City in 2010bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.comBlogger221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-77499415016755433702009-12-27T23:58:00.002-06:002009-12-27T23:58:30.139-06:00

I've started using Twitter! I'll post updates and quick thoughts to it as I get around to it. Check it out- http://www.twitter.com/bendeclue

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-85470218530340120062009-12-20T16:43:00.000-06:002009-12-20T16:43:46.819-06:00

For many years Truman Boulevard (61/67) served as the main North-South connector to and from St. Louis for the eastern side of Jefferson County. Before I-55 this road, running through Crystal City, Festus, Herculaneum and Pevely, was THE freight and passenger route for residents to get to work up north. As you might expect from a road of that importance in the 1960's-70's, it was built to

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-84569207655812524082009-12-20T14:38:00.000-06:002009-12-20T14:38:20.459-06:00

Sorry for the lack of new posts lately! I wanted to give a quick update on two big projects that we've been talking about since Day 1 of this blog- Complete Streets and Tree City USA status. First, I'm pleased to report that the Tree Care/Board ordinance required for Tree City USA status has been introduced to the City Council and will be refined at the worksession on January 18th. The plan is

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-25642504571194385872009-11-16T17:46:00.000-06:002009-11-16T17:46:14.090-06:00

This week will feature posts about improving Truman Boulevard and more ideas for Crystal City's parks.

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-46748646090175436112009-11-15T23:36:00.000-06:002009-11-15T23:36:30.889-06:00

One of the features of almost every truly great park is the presences of "places" to be- somewhere more than just a pavilion or a random bench along a path.  Places are human scale and somewhat intimate- a place to linger and enjoy just being there.  Maybe its a grotto, maybe a boathouse, maybe a quiet place off of a path where one can sit and enjoy the scenery without people running by through

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-85535258417537618962009-11-15T22:59:00.007-06:002009-11-15T23:40:13.932-06:00

This weekend we visited the City of Arnold's "Paw Park".  Surprisingly, we had almost as much fun as our dogs!  It didn't take long at all to conclude that Crystal City should seriously consider a dog park of its own. Our proposal:  The City of Crystal City and its Parks Department should consider the creation of a dog park at the Crystal City Municipal Park. Why should Crystal City consider a

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-55634275464311908652009-11-11T19:15:00.003-06:002009-11-11T22:21:49.710-06:00

As every resident of Crystal City has seen countless times, the raised railroad crossing over Truman Blvd is a true eyesore.  From the dirty concrete pillars supporting it to the rusted steel encasing it, this trestle is a true problem for Crystal City's image. Here is the trestle today: I think we can all agree- an upgrade is desperately needed. A perfect example of what could be done

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-7783441126759210342009-10-24T09:46:00.000-05:002009-10-24T09:46:34.199-05:00

Why should Crystal City become a Tree City USA? Because almost all of our streets could look like this:

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-5138018930583327192009-10-22T22:39:00.003-05:002009-10-22T22:42:50.885-05:00

As we have discussed before, two of the four pillars of being a Tree City USA is having a Tree Care ordinance and a Tree Board. In order to help Crystal City get started on becoming a Tree City, we have crafted an ordinance designed to meet both requirements! The ordinance is based on Herculaneum's, St. Peters, and the model Tree Care ordinance from the Missouri Forestry Service. Our sample

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-18112909923084998002009-10-12T00:40:00.002-05:002009-11-12T20:57:15.539-06:00

As we've talked about before, sidewalk seating is an important amenity in a modern community's restaurant district. As it stands now, Crystal City does not allow sidewalk seating and the sidewalks on the commercial block of Mississippi Avenue are too narrow to properly accommodate any tables or seats that might ever be set out. Our proposal: In addition to permitting sidewalk seating, Crystal

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-68353721491657169372009-10-12T00:06:00.005-05:002009-11-12T20:26:06.213-06:00

First impressions are incredibly important to a community- they set the tone for a visit or a relocation, determine whether a business is interested in moving to the area, and send a message of cleanliness and order or chaos and decay. Good impressions are hard to get and bad impressions are notorious for being final impressions. A good first impression or a bad impression leads to an image in

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-26226430623109876252009-10-06T23:47:00.012-05:002009-11-12T20:47:22.787-06:00

In July of 2007, Crystal City and Festus received the final draft of a Bikeable-Walkable Community Plan. That plan was commissioned as a joint project between the Twin Cities in cooperation with Trailnet, a non-profit dedicated to Active Living- a way of life that encourages people to integrate physical activity into their daily routines. Trail networks are seen as a tremendous asset by potential

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-34430390920651814612009-10-05T00:08:00.006-05:002009-11-12T21:06:48.515-06:00

As we mentioned in the Microbreweries post, sidewalk seating can be an important tool in improving Crystal City dining. The interest in the Twin City Days Bridge Party pretty clearly demonstrates a desire for outdoor dining experiences in our area-- currently we only know of St. Louis Bread Company offering outdoor seating. Our Proposal: We feel that the city should amend the appropriate

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-61560581364012715092009-10-01T23:49:00.002-05:002009-10-05T00:11:03.638-05:00

Imagine: It's a warm Friday evening around 7 pm. You've just gotten off work and head over to Mississippi Ave to one of Crystal City's finest establishments for a happy hour drink. Sitting at a sidewalk table with some friends, you tell the waitress that you'll have the newest microbrew- the CC IPA! Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Our Proposal: Leaving aside the idea of sidewalk seating

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-62006024854840323952009-09-17T13:27:00.005-05:002009-09-18T14:22:01.773-05:00

As many of our readers know, in 2010 Crystal City will be launching the first of a series of major and much needed roadway improvement projects. The first project will be a Surface Transportation Project (STP) for Jefferson Ave from 10th to 4th street and Virginia from 4th to Bailey Road. This project will include road milling and new overlay, new curbs and sidewalks, new decorative street

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-28459973958170959302009-09-15T00:42:00.010-05:002009-09-15T22:44:02.028-05:00

As we've covered in other posts, for Crystal City to become a 21st century community new approaches and new ways of thinking need to be introduced into our policy-making process. From our streets to our trees its time to update the way we do things. We at 2010 adamantly believe that the best way to achieve these goals is through an open, community driven planning process, conducted by a

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-61691684321217172072009-09-06T21:14:00.003-05:002009-09-18T09:37:48.651-05:00

We here at Crystal City 2010 have a few suggestions to help improve City/Citizen communications: 1. Update the City Website - The City website is OK, but navigation can be difficult. Minutes and Agendas aren't readily apparent and only cover City Council business- no P&Z, BOZA, Park Board etc. Proposed ordinances, zoning change requests, lot subdivisions, policies and resolutions aren't

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-91049415363421352002009-09-06T15:07:00.008-05:002009-09-15T15:57:39.802-05:00

We're pleased to announce that planning has begun for a Farmers Market in Crystal City. Our neighbors in Desoto have enjoyed success with their market and many of our neighbors up north in St. Louis have thriving markets as well. The time has come for Crystal City residents to be able to purchase fresh, locally grown or made produce, flowers, baked goods, and meat from a Farmers Market that

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-79290664727320546632009-09-02T22:56:00.013-05:002009-09-15T15:55:17.828-05:00

As the completion of Crystal City's new Economic Development Plan grow near, we at Crystal City 2010 want to look at an important aspect of commercial development that the new EDP will not address- aesthetic appeal and design standards. While some might eschew design and aesthetic standards as over-regulation or overly subjective, we believe that such standards are necessary for positive,

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-8399756510873426382009-08-30T23:54:00.033-05:002009-09-15T15:56:19.015-05:00

As Mayor Schilly announced at the Jefferson & Virginia STP Road Project public hearing on August 17th, the Crystal City City Council will need to repeal an ordinance banning tree lawns between sidewalks and streets. The STP project calls for the addition of several blocks of tree lawns to enhance the aesthetic quality of our community and its roadways. Our Proposal: The city should not just

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-86054019462660073342009-08-27T00:03:00.013-05:002009-09-15T15:57:13.954-05:00

In the past few years Crystal City has been aggressive in pursuing infrastructure upgrades, such as new water taps, fire hydrants, curbing, and street overlays.  The city has had particular success securing STP grants through East-West Gateway, with three major projects planned over the next three years.  These projects all include major road resurfacing, placement of new sidewalks or replacement

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9179765663571750957.post-40313997404969746132009-08-24T22:03:00.002-05:002009-09-18T01:07:04.031-05:00

Welcome to a new forum for ideas and thoughts on where Crystal City can be by the end of 2010.  It is our intent to lay out a bold agenda that will revolutionize Crystal City in a profoundly positive and inclusive way.  The days of basic-- streets and sidewalks, playgrounds and pools, trees and shrubs-- have begun to fade away.  We must meet tomorrow head-on through innovative approaches to

bdecluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17734850819062046926noreply@blogger.com0