urbanSTL

Think this area will do even better if they could remove the grade separation between Grand and Forest Parkway so it ties back in nicely with the SLU campus/Grand Center. Understand it might be on radar but don't know if it more than just talk.

I believe you got some very doable small ball infrastructure projects that would really cement a strong future if you can throw in the streetcar line through central corridor, Cortex push, changes that would help connect FPSE, and putting a street grid back with rebuilding 22nd street interchange for west downtown.

According to an employee at the Starbucks downtown the Starbucks in the Del Taco building will be opening in 4 days.

They were adding 1 row of underside fluorescent lights yesterday, similar to the old picture.

Paving is done, and one can see a bunch of white glass bowls for light fixtures inside the starbucks. I can see it being open in 4 days...

symphonyplayer wrote:They were adding 1 row of underside fluorescent lights yesterday, similar to the old picture.

Thanks for the update! I'm very happy the lights are going back up. So Starbucks seems ready to open, what about Chipotle?

I noticed today that this development desperately needs BIKE RACKS!

http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/itinerari ... -1C7751714

Also on this blog with different pictures...

Now (almost) open: The best-looking Chipotle I've ever seen

Open for business!

Alex Ihnen wrote:If you support an at-grade FP Ave/Grand intersection, please speak up now. Contact Alderwoman Marlene Davis and Todd Waelterman. They need to hear that people want this.

The question, then, is what kind of intersection and road does that get you? As is, Forest Park at Grand primarily serves as an I-64 off/on-ramp. Historically, St. Louis's streets department leans heavily toward volume versus value. To effectively go at-grade though, I feel, requires a pretty substantial street diet and, potentially, disconnecting FP Pkwy from I-64 and leading directly into Market Street. Something SLU would not support, obviously.

Kevin B wrote:

Alex Ihnen wrote:If you support an at-grade FP Ave/Grand intersection, please speak up now. Contact Alderwoman Marlene Davis and Todd Waelterman. They need to hear that people want this.

The question, then, is what kind of intersection and road does that get you? As is, Forest Park at Grand primarily serves as an I-64 off/on-ramp. Historically, St. Louis's streets department leans heavily toward volume versus value. To effectively go at-grade though, I feel, requires a pretty substantial street diet and, potentially, disconnecting FP Pkwy from I-64 and leading directly into Market Street. Something SLU would not support, obviously.

Don't see why you couldn't have the at grade intersection and still keep the present Market Street/I-64 configuration as is. At least what limited knowledge I remember from my long time ago civil engineer road design courses tells me. On the polictical front and as you noted, I don't think SLU would support a change to the current Market Street/I-64 configuration. What I would like to know, would SLU support an at grade intersection? Curious if there is any feedback out there on SLU's part?

Funding of course will be a big issue, would the area support a TDD? Would SLU be willing to contribute as BJC/Washu U did for the Boyle interchange upgrades? Both would this happen a lot sooner then later.

^ good point,

In the same token not sure if Grand Center has enough political might to make something like this get to the study process even with the objection from SLU. I have to believe that anything that brings a more urban/busy/thriving context between Metro Grand station and Grand Center has to be seen as a favorable thing in Grand Center's eyes.