I can only hope that they're temporary - perhaps they were put up to keep construction vehicles from driving through the first phase of Gaslight Square. Otherwise, why would they build an entrance sign if you can't even enter at Sarah?
mcarril wrote:Anyone notice that they've closed off Olive at Whittier with those ugly concrete planters?
What?! Are you serious?! I use this street semi-regularily, and haven't seen it yet. If true, its crazy!
I noticed it about 2 weeks ago. Forgot to make a post. I am hoping they are just up during construction.
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I really hope this area continues to build, and with more urban designs.
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I took a quick drive through Gaslight Square this afternoon. Very impressive! I saw that the townhouses are listing for $300-350k and actually look like they're worth it!
I agree the planter/roadblocks are annoying. I had to make two detours to get back to work, when I should have been able to go straight up Olive back to Euclid. If they're going to block it off anyway, why not just gate it like the rest of the high-end CWE streets?
I agree the planter/roadblocks are annoying. I had to make two detours to get back to work, when I should have been able to go straight up Olive back to Euclid. If they're going to block it off anyway, why not just gate it like the rest of the high-end CWE streets?
The roadblock is just asanine! What the hell are they thinking? I guess this is what happens when a bunch of suburban developers are given control (you know, the scary city and all).
It looks like the roadblock was a recent afterthought, because all of the brand new curbs etc. at the corner were clearly built with through traffic in mind. I still hope its just temporary.
It looks like the roadblock was a recent afterthought, because all of the brand new curbs etc. at the corner were clearly built with through traffic in mind. I still hope its just temporary.
It is time to take out these roadblocks, totally BS. Time to open up the streets again. Doesn't crime actually decrease when they're opened?
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Don't blame the suburban developers... blame the City. They have been putting these road blocks in for years.
Those road blocks on Olive Street essentially cutting off the two phases of Gaslight Square are horrible. I can't believe people would want those blockades put into place, not to mention you don't rebuild communities buy cutting them off from the rest!
Welcome to the forum!
Those barriers bother me too, but I am now thinking these are temporary to control construction traffic. They have now been moved across Whittier, so they don't seem to be committed to an actual spot. I think if they were meant to be permanent, an actual cul de sac would have been built while the streets were torn up. People spending that much money would demand more than ghetto barriers I would think.
Also, I can't think of the name of the building, but the last remaining building on the two blocks is under renovation.
Those barriers bother me too, but I am now thinking these are temporary to control construction traffic. They have now been moved across Whittier, so they don't seem to be committed to an actual spot. I think if they were meant to be permanent, an actual cul de sac would have been built while the streets were torn up. People spending that much money would demand more than ghetto barriers I would think.
Also, I can't think of the name of the building, but the last remaining building on the two blocks is under renovation.
The blockades were put into place via a petition of some sorts from a group in the Gaslight Square development. They are temporary blockades at the end of six months they are supposed to be removed and a review of of feedback from the community will determine next steps.
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I have not had a class that specifically mentioned why those or most urban cosmetic/physical changes have occured in our cities like those road blocking barriers. However, while thumbing through old Planning magazine I did find studies that they reduced crime by not allowing cars to pass especially in places of frequent drive-by shootings or park and steal and drive. A wonderful picture in a newer magazine showed a modern form of blockading with a little tree and flower bed in the center of a four-way residential intersection.
This was once a new and hip way to reduce through traffic and crime. Today, it represents a health and safety barrier preventing fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances from getting through. It also helps isolate the block from others via vehicle (not pedestrian). I guess a main lesson is new and hip is not always the perfect solution. That's a debate in itself because once concentrated public housing high rises was the rage and now mixed income with low amounts of public housing is in. My recommendation for the two blocks is that one two-family flat be built for apartments/condo with a lower than market rate rent or cost in order to help disperse the low income people. That's around 2-5% of the residents on the two blocks.
This was once a new and hip way to reduce through traffic and crime. Today, it represents a health and safety barrier preventing fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances from getting through. It also helps isolate the block from others via vehicle (not pedestrian). I guess a main lesson is new and hip is not always the perfect solution. That's a debate in itself because once concentrated public housing high rises was the rage and now mixed income with low amounts of public housing is in. My recommendation for the two blocks is that one two-family flat be built for apartments/condo with a lower than market rate rent or cost in order to help disperse the low income people. That's around 2-5% of the residents on the two blocks.
I've been fuming about those barricades for weeks now. Good to hear they may be removed in the near future. 
I would urge anyone who doesn't appreciate the blockades in Gaslight Square on Olive street and Whittier please email the Alderman. I have included the link below:
http://stlcin.missouri.org/index/contactald.cfm?Ward=18
http://stlcin.missouri.org/index/contactald.cfm?Ward=18
jverville wrote:I would urge anyone who doesn't appreciate the blockades in Gaslight Square on Olive street and Whittier please email the Alderman. I have included the link below:
http://stlcin.missouri.org/index/contactald.cfm?Ward=18
Done!!
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By Martin Van Der Werf
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/09/2006
FAINT ECHO: Little remains of what old timers think of as Gaslight Square. Much of the neighborhood was bulldozed, and new houses and townhouses have arisen. One of the few remaining historic structures, the Ben J. Selkirk & Sons building, 4166 Olive Street, is being renovated for retail on the first floor and 10 apartments on the second story.
Mark Rubin of Saaman Development LLC says he is getting state and federal historic tax credits to help pay for the project. The building formerly housed an auction and antiques business.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/09/2006
FAINT ECHO: Little remains of what old timers think of as Gaslight Square. Much of the neighborhood was bulldozed, and new houses and townhouses have arisen. One of the few remaining historic structures, the Ben J. Selkirk & Sons building, 4166 Olive Street, is being renovated for retail on the first floor and 10 apartments on the second story.
Mark Rubin of Saaman Development LLC says he is getting state and federal historic tax credits to help pay for the project. The building formerly housed an auction and antiques business.
Hi everyone, I'm new to the area, I wrote Alderman Kennedy about the barriers and this was his reply:
These blocks were placed there based upon a request and petition by
residents in the 4200 block of Olive to curtail the volume of new
traffic speeding down their street. In fact there was and accident where
one person speeding destroyed the entrance feature on the east end of
their block. The blocks are temporary while an overall solution is
explored. Thanks for your inquiry and welcome to the neighborhood.
Has anyone seen the destroyed entrance feature
These blocks were placed there based upon a request and petition by
residents in the 4200 block of Olive to curtail the volume of new
traffic speeding down their street. In fact there was and accident where
one person speeding destroyed the entrance feature on the east end of
their block. The blocks are temporary while an overall solution is
explored. Thanks for your inquiry and welcome to the neighborhood.
Has anyone seen the destroyed entrance feature
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This afternoon I was driving through Gaslight Square gawking at the new houses when -- due to the barriers -- I had to take a minor detour. I'm glad that I did though, because I stumbled upon this little gem! It's actually a block south of the main new Gaslight Square development, on McPherson, settled in between original homes. There are a few other new infill houses on the block, but none like this!
Now, who was pointing to the modern infill of Chicago (in some other thread I can't find right now) and saying we need that here? Well, it's just one house -- but we've got it!
Though it's a lovely house, it does look REALLY out of place here. Especially with the new Gaslight buildings being "faux old" in style.
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Now, who was pointing to the modern infill of Chicago (in some other thread I can't find right now) and saying we need that here? Well, it's just one house -- but we've got it!
Though it's a lovely house, it does look REALLY out of place here. Especially with the new Gaslight buildings being "faux old" in style.
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That is possibly one of the most radomly placed houses I have ever seen. But I agree, it is a great house.
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I love that house - I believe the owner is an architect who designed it himself.
The house is awesome, but it's so out of place it made me laugh...yes, out loud. 
I do wish we had more construction in the area that resembled this however. I'd like to see more neighborhoods emerge with this sort of new age design.
I do wish we had more construction in the area that resembled this however. I'd like to see more neighborhoods emerge with this sort of new age design.
I like the house on its own merits, but I really don't like it in context with its neighbors. Actually, I think it looks awful.
