Expo at Forest Park

delmar2debaliviere2downtown · PostMay 12, 2024#8012024-05-12T03:29+00:00

stlurbanist wrote: ↑
May 12, 2024
delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑
Apr 29, 2024
Debaliviere91 wrote: ↑
Apr 29, 2024
Love to see the interest in this open retail. But yeah, there is the new Starbucks, Crema, and the Coffee Shop at the Chelsea all within one block. Doesn’t seem to make sense to me.

The dynamic between those that use the bus stop and the mostly college/grad students in the surrounding apartments is interesting for sure. There is a degree of racism/paranoia tied to it. Though it’s not that uncommon to see fighting/drug dealing there. It would help if that was cleaned up along with the litter and cars on the sidewalk.
Apparently a lot of the young women (the college and grad demographic you speak of) get cat called often by the guys who park their cars in front of ocean grill and hang out. I’ve talked to several people who moved after their lease or picked a different place because of this corner (again I also think it’s mostly paranoia of suburban transplants but we do want young women to feel safe). The fact that cars drive onto the sidewalk and park there, causing safety issues for pedestrians and people waiting for the bus, and accessibility issues for those with disabilities is the most frustrating thing to me. The metro access is a great asset and people waiting for the bus that just happen to be of a different income demo isn’t an issue. I agree though I think the hanging out on the sidewalk, blocking it, passing drugs, throwing Ocean Grill trash everywhere and pestering people is an issue. People’s pre conceived notions are basically getting “confirmed” which sucks. Most people waiting there and walking through there are just living their lives.
I heard on the news that someone was shot dead near forest park metrolink station. does anyone have any information?

Apparently this is true. Sad and ridiculous. Thread demonstrates an issue that is persistent there. It needs immediate city and metro attention.

There is a street camera right there, a lot of people typically. There had to be eyes on this thing. Probably a lot of bystanders present

Debaliviere91 · PostMay 12, 2024#8022024-05-12T04:05+00:00

delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote:
stlurbanist wrote: ↑
May 12, 2024
delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑
Apr 29, 2024
Apparently a lot of the young women (the college and grad demographic you speak of) get cat called often by the guys who park their cars in front of ocean grill and hang out. I’ve talked to several people who moved after their lease or picked a different place because of this corner (again I also think it’s mostly paranoia of suburban transplants but we do want young women to feel safe). The fact that cars drive onto the sidewalk and park there, causing safety issues for pedestrians and people waiting for the bus, and accessibility issues for those with disabilities is the most frustrating thing to me. The metro access is a great asset and people waiting for the bus that just happen to be of a different income demo isn’t an issue. I agree though I think the hanging out on the sidewalk, blocking it, passing drugs, throwing Ocean Grill trash everywhere and pestering people is an issue. People’s pre conceived notions are basically getting “confirmed” which sucks. Most people waiting there and walking through there are just living their lives.
I heard on the news that someone was shot dead near forest park metrolink station. does anyone have any information?
Apparently this is true. Sad and ridiculous. Thread demonstrates an issue that is persistent there. It needs immediate city and metro attention.

There is a street camera right there, a lot of people typically. There had to be eyes on this thing. Probably a lot of bystanders present

This was bound to happen eventually. Apparently it was one of the regulars who causes problems.

A woman was robbed and murdered in broad daylight, with a lot of WashU graduates and their parents walking around the area after the ceremony too.

delmar2debaliviere2downtown · PostMay 12, 2024#8032024-05-12T04:18+00:00

Debaliviere91 wrote: ↑
May 12, 2024
delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote:
stlurbanist wrote: ↑
May 12, 2024
I heard on the news that someone was shot dead near forest park metrolink station. does anyone have any information?
Apparently this is true. Sad and ridiculous. Thread demonstrates an issue that is persistent there. It needs immediate city and metro attention.

There is a street camera right there, a lot of people typically. There had to be eyes on this thing. Probably a lot of bystanders present
This was bound to happen eventually. Apparently it was one of the regulars who causes problems.

A woman was robbed and murdered in broad daylight, with a lot of WashU graduates and their parents walking around the area after the ceremony too.

This is probably the “worst look” shooting for the city since the video of the guy shooting the unhoused man in the head on a corner in downtown. Being in broad daylight near metrolink, Forest Park, new housing developments with likely tons of outside visitors present or nearby. It’s really disappointing and there is no reason they should still be looking for this guy - no way he could have gotten away that easily. it’s not surprising to hear it’s a “regular” that hangs out around the stop

stlurbanist · PostMay 12, 2024#8042024-05-12T19:02+00:00

delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑
May 12, 2024
stlurbanist wrote: ↑
May 12, 2024
delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑
Apr 29, 2024
Apparently a lot of the young women (the college and grad demographic you speak of) get cat called often by the guys who park their cars in front of ocean grill and hang out. I’ve talked to several people who moved after their lease or picked a different place because of this corner (again I also think it’s mostly paranoia of suburban transplants but we do want young women to feel safe). The fact that cars drive onto the sidewalk and park there, causing safety issues for pedestrians and people waiting for the bus, and accessibility issues for those with disabilities is the most frustrating thing to me. The metro access is a great asset and people waiting for the bus that just happen to be of a different income demo isn’t an issue. I agree though I think the hanging out on the sidewalk, blocking it, passing drugs, throwing Ocean Grill trash everywhere and pestering people is an issue. People’s pre conceived notions are basically getting “confirmed” which sucks. Most people waiting there and walking through there are just living their lives.
I heard on the news that someone was shot dead near forest park metrolink station. does anyone have any information?
Apparently this is true. Sad and ridiculous. Thread demonstrates an issue that is persistent there. It needs immediate city and metro attention.

There is a street camera right there, a lot of people typically. There had to be eyes on this thing. Probably a lot of bystanders present

Was she shot inside the train or outside Ocean Grill?

Debaliviere91 · PostMay 12, 2024#8052024-05-12T19:32+00:00

stlurbanist wrote:
delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑
May 12, 2024
stlurbanist wrote: ↑
May 12, 2024
I heard on the news that someone was shot dead near forest park metrolink station. does anyone have any information?
Apparently this is true. Sad and ridiculous. Thread demonstrates an issue that is persistent there. It needs immediate city and metro attention.

There is a street camera right there, a lot of people typically. There had to be eyes on this thing. Probably a lot of bystanders present
Was she shot inside the train or outside Ocean Grill?

Near Ocean Grill. I think it started on the platform though.

JaneJacobsGhost · PostMay 12, 2024#8062024-05-12T21:27+00:00

Ocean Grill sounds like a hangout for Jay and Slient Bob types - except in this case they have guns. Close it down.

stlurbanist · PostMay 12, 2024#8072024-05-12T22:39+00:00

Lot of times I see a large group of metro safety team near the TVM booth and not in the trains or any of the platforms. There is no security at any of the stations other than forest park and civic center.

Debaliviere91 · PostMay 21, 2024#8082024-05-21T15:18+00:00

https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime ... c7f968e778

Very telling commentary from nearby residents.

RockChalkSTL · PostMay 21, 2024#8092024-05-21T15:26+00:00

What can be done about this station? As someone that loves MetroLink and enjoys riding the system, I have to unfortunately agree with anyone that says this is the most intimidating station on the Missouri side of the system.

It really sucks that violence around the station could stymie progress in the neighborhood, though I remain bullish on the area.

This needs to be a really high priority for the city and Bi-State.

quincunx · PostMay 21, 2024#8102024-05-21T15:33+00:00

What does this say about the "More eyes on the street" theory?

Debaliviere91 · PostMay 21, 2024#8112024-05-21T15:38+00:00

RockChalkSTL wrote:What can be done about this station? As someone that loves MetroLink and enjoys riding the system, I have to unfortunately agree with anyone that says this is the most intimidating station on the Missouri side of the system.

It really sucks that violence around the station could stymie progress in the neighborhood, though I remain bullish on the area.

This needs to be a really high priority for the city and Bi-State.

It’s challenging because the violence is happening around a usually large presence of Metro security and surveillance. The combination of a major Metro Station, a major bus route, and that Ocean Grill spot leads to a lot of converging crowds and loitering. I would start with:

1) Improved lighting around the Ocean Grill building.
2) More bollards to prevent cars from parking in the pedestrian areas. In addition causing a problems for pedestrians, there is usually bad activity around those parked cars.
3) More enforcement from police (not Metro security) on loitering, drug use, littering, and fighting.

At the end of the day it’s a convergence between mostly young college students in the nearby apartments and folks trying to take the bus up to North City. Many of the bus riders cause no issue, but some do.

stlurbanist · PostMay 21, 2024#8122024-05-21T16:50+00:00

Debaliviere91 wrote: ↑
May 21, 2024
RockChalkSTL wrote:What can be done about this station? As someone that loves MetroLink and enjoys riding the system, I have to unfortunately agree with anyone that says this is the most intimidating station on the Missouri side of the system.

It really sucks that violence around the station could stymie progress in the neighborhood, though I remain bullish on the area.

This needs to be a really high priority for the city and Bi-State.
It’s challenging because the violence is happening around a usually large presence of Metro security and surveillance. The combination of a major Metro Station, a major bus route, and that Ocean Grill spot leads to a lot of converging crowds and loitering. I would start with:

1) Improved lighting around the Ocean Grill building.
2) More bollards to prevent cars from parking in the pedestrian areas. In addition causing a problems for pedestrians, there is usually bad activity around those parked cars.
3) More enforcement from police (not Metro security) on loitering, drug use, littering, and fighting.

At the end of the day it’s a convergence between mostly young college students in the nearby apartments and folks trying to take the bus up to North City. Many of the bus riders cause no issue, but some do.

There is no easy solution for this deep rooted problem. Only workaround I can think of is Ocean Grill building bought out by a developer. Another solution is to eliminate the bus stop completely but that will affect both the good guys and bad guys that are using the bus for transportation.

RockChalkSTL · PostMay 21, 2024#8132024-05-21T17:24+00:00

I don't think removing the bus station is the way to go. The #90 bus that connects there is practically the only way to use public transit to get to the zoo, art museum, etc. for residents and tourists.

As others have noted, this is a very important station for a number of different reasons, with the station being a transfer station for the airport, UMSL, N. Hanley Transit Center, etc., at the top of them.

The first thing to do may just be constant SLPD presence.

stlurbanist · PostMay 21, 2024#8142024-05-21T20:03+00:00

RockChalkSTL wrote: ↑
May 21, 2024
I don't think removing the bus station is the way to go. The #90 bus that connects there is practically the only way to use public transit to get to the zoo, art museum, etc. for residents and tourists.

As others have noted, this is a very important station for a number of different reasons, with the station being a transfer station for the airport, UMSL, N. Hanley Transit Center, etc., at the top of them.

The first thing to do may just be constant SLPD presence.

There are other high crime areas in the city that necessitate SLPD's presence; I am not certain if this would be their priority.

In my opinion, metro's safety team are not being strict and vigilant in their enforcement. They cannot gather around the station vicinity and chit chat. I am noticing that frequently off late. I am not saying that they cannot have smoke breaks or other breaks but need to be vigilant at other times. Doesn't bus stop fall under their jurisdiction?

quincunx · PostMay 26, 2024#8152024-05-26T03:45+00:00

I see the mobile police camera is on scene as well as barriers to keep cars off the sidewalk.

stlurbanist · PostJun 11, 2024#8162024-06-11T20:21+00:00

@delmar2debaliviere2downtown @Tim Any news on park place coffee at 280 DeBaliviere? This morning I saw a construction worker entering that facility.

PostJun 11, 2024#8172024-06-11T20:23+00:00

I was thoroughly impressed by Planet Sub in downtown. Would love to see them open a new location in one of those empty retail fronts in Expo at Forest Park. What do you guys think?

STLCityMike · PostJun 11, 2024#8182024-06-11T20:39+00:00

Really enjoy planet sub. The Experience is my go to.

Debaliviere91 · PostJun 11, 2024#8192024-06-11T22:23+00:00

I would certainly be a regular customer.

Trololzilla · PostJun 12, 2024#8202024-06-12T06:57+00:00

Thoroughly enjoyed PSub in Warrensburg - shame the store in SoCo failed but it was in a pretty meh location. The chain will probably be a lot more successful in the City, so here's hoping to success.

dbInSouthCity · PostJun 12, 2024#8212024-06-12T12:08+00:00

stlurbanist wrote: ↑
Jun 11, 2024
I was thoroughly impressed by Planet Sub in downtown. Would love to see them open a new location in one of those empty retail fronts in Expo at Forest Park. What do you guys think?

being located on a same block as nuisance property (mark twain) isn't helping them but good news is that Mark Twain will soon be closed and renovated to a Hilton tapestry

SeattleNative · PostJun 12, 2024#8222024-06-12T12:38+00:00

DeBaliviere sounds like a good place for a Pickleman’s

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

delmar2debaliviere2downtown · PostJun 12, 2024#8232024-06-12T18:06+00:00

stlurbanist wrote: ↑
Jun 11, 2024
@delmar2debaliviere2downtown @Tim Any news on park place coffee at 280 DeBaliviere? This morning I saw a construction worker entering that facility.

No, I haven’t seen very much activity.

In good news, go check out the large planters now serving as bollards on the sidewalk!!!

They had put cones up, but people were still driving over the sidewalk. I even witnessed someone drive up on the sidewalk from Pershing then proceed over the more narrow sidewalk down Pershing adjacent to the building. Crazy!

I emailed alderwoman Hubbard about the issue a couple months ago, so I want to give her some credit on what should now resolve the issue!

Now, I am not sure what exactly the construction is adjacent to the station but they are moving fast. They did move the ticketing machines to where they should have been all along. Never understood why they were so out of the way.

Turnstiles coming? Just not sure what is going on.

stlurbanist · PostJun 12, 2024#8242024-06-12T21:04+00:00

delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑
Jun 12, 2024
stlurbanist wrote: ↑
Jun 11, 2024
@delmar2debaliviere2downtown @Tim Any news on park place coffee at 280 DeBaliviere? This morning I saw a construction worker entering that facility.
No, I haven’t seen very much activity.

In good news, go check out the large planters now serving as bollards on the sidewalk!!!

They had put cones up, but people were still driving over the sidewalk. I even witnessed someone drive up on the sidewalk from Pershing then proceed over the more narrow sidewalk down Pershing adjacent to the building. Crazy!

I emailed alderwoman Hubbard about the issue a couple months ago, so I want to give her some credit on what should now resolve the issue!

Now, I am not sure what exactly the construction is adjacent to the station but they are moving fast. They did move the ticketing machines to where they should have been all along. Never understood why they were so out of the way.

Turnstiles coming? Just not sure what is going on.

Nice! We just need some nice plants.

I am also curious about the construction that's going on at the metrolink.

delmar2debaliviere2downtown · PostJun 15, 2024#8252024-06-15T06:12+00:00

Even saw a popsicle cart for the first time

Expo at Forest Park

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