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Thursday, April 3, 2008

No such thing as "aldermanic advocacy"

Alderwoman Jennifer Florida, D-15th Ward, who represents part of the area of the South Grand business district, said people and business owners in the area would have to strongly support the proposal before she would work for it.

What is "it"? The East-West Gateway's Great Streets Initiative, and specifically, the proposed streetscape improvements to Grand South Grand.

Shouldn't our leaders be advocates for better and safer design, for a pleasant streetscape that complements one of St. Louis's most bustling, exciting districts? Or could it be that the alderwoman is afraid that some residents will vote her out for slowing down their too-fast morning commutes on the superhighway that is the current South Grand?

1 comments:

Doug Duckworth said...

Jennifer Florida isn't a leader. She is willing to take risk, to the point of a recall, for the slumlord of McDonald's, but she won't lead when it comes to urban planning.

Ultimately she has no reason to take the initiative until people say they want it. And even if they do want it, there is no guarantee she will render support.

BTW, I would really love to see something similar with "Natural Bridge Road between Florissant and the UMSL South MetroLink station," but that would require UMSL to put up some money.

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