You are correct that the Feds have a significant presence here in St. Louis. That's part of the reason I'm so sure I'll be back. In my particular situation, the opportunities necessary to facilitate career growth are in DC, and pretty much no other city in the US. I am still in the early stage of my career so once I get things established more, I will have more options and should be able to come back here no problem.
Perfect time for the Chinese to come negotiate further, right? Hope everyone stays safe tonight
nothing new, but this is the first China hub related story in a couple days: http://www.examiner.net/business/x15779 ... pment-bill
I hope that negotiations are going well. Yesterday must have been interesting: "Mr. Zhang, that sounds like a great idea, but we should probably all head to the basement for a while and duck and cover."
I would hate to have explain that they shouldn't worry about weather related issues after picking them up at a boarded up Lambert and then going through a couple hours of intermittent tornado warnings.
(edit) Spoke too soon. The P-D just put up a story. Kind of an encouraging read. I'm guessing the China hub stories will start rolling again. http://www.stltoday.com/business/column ... f6878.html
I hope that negotiations are going well. Yesterday must have been interesting: "Mr. Zhang, that sounds like a great idea, but we should probably all head to the basement for a while and duck and cover."
I would hate to have explain that they shouldn't worry about weather related issues after picking them up at a boarded up Lambert and then going through a couple hours of intermittent tornado warnings.
(edit) Spoke too soon. The P-D just put up a story. Kind of an encouraging read. I'm guessing the China hub stories will start rolling again. http://www.stltoday.com/business/column ... f6878.html
Momentum might be building for a special session:
http://www.newstribune.com/news/2011/ma ... ion-topic/
As important as China hub is for the region, the tornadoes in Joplin obviously overshadow the project, and it looks like Nixon might be pressured into calling a special session to address disaster relief. If serious momentum was already building to call a special session for economic development, then this might not help the cause as freed-up money will possibly (rightly) go to disaster relief. However, if Nixon is actually opposed to calling a special session for economic development, which I kind of suspect is the case, then maybe this opens up an opportunity.
Just my 2 cents.
http://www.newstribune.com/news/2011/ma ... ion-topic/
As important as China hub is for the region, the tornadoes in Joplin obviously overshadow the project, and it looks like Nixon might be pressured into calling a special session to address disaster relief. If serious momentum was already building to call a special session for economic development, then this might not help the cause as freed-up money will possibly (rightly) go to disaster relief. However, if Nixon is actually opposed to calling a special session for economic development, which I kind of suspect is the case, then maybe this opens up an opportunity.
Just my 2 cents.
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^Agree, this may open up the chance. I also agree that Nixon is wholly against the opposite party Legislature being able to claim any victory. The end of the recent Chinese diplomacy basically says the same thing, that StL & MO need more than a "why not?" to lure the Chinese. They expect reciprocal investment. We must provide it.
If Nixon opposes a special session for economic development work, then I say he's sacrificing the good of the state for political self-interest. Just as much, both the House and Senate speakers better have their rogue dogs on tighter leashes.
On a happier note... two other airlines participating in the meetings, happy to join in? Great news.
Could one be Pan Am?
Who would the other be? Delta's cargo services?
Probably too early, but... what if we already have a Latin airline looking at this?
Keep hope alive.
If Nixon opposes a special session for economic development work, then I say he's sacrificing the good of the state for political self-interest. Just as much, both the House and Senate speakers better have their rogue dogs on tighter leashes.
On a happier note... two other airlines participating in the meetings, happy to join in? Great news.
Could one be Pan Am?
Who would the other be? Delta's cargo services?
Probably too early, but... what if we already have a Latin airline looking at this?
Keep hope alive.
I was wondering about the other airline, too. Getting a company like Delta on board would be huge, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.
Not the most coherent response I ever heard:
Not the most coherent response I ever heard:
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Jeez. Mumbling, back-pedaling, staggering over his own words. I honestly don't know if I should feel bad because the Governor has a secret stutter, or if he's just so full of malarkey he's terrified & having trouble keeping track of where he stands on his own issues. I almost waited for him to end with "Ba-di-ba-di-ba- That's all, folks!"Colby wrote:Not the most coherent response I ever heard:
In comparison: Why doesn't he just call the Ford deal in Claycomo a "welcomed payoff"?
It looks like last year Nixon was the one lobbying for a special session while legislators were urging for more of a commitment from Ford first: http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stori ... ive-plant/
Oh, right, Claycomo has a population of about a 1,000 people. Now it makes sense.
Oh, right, Claycomo has a population of about a 1,000 people. Now it makes sense.
Senator "expects" special session: http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2011/05/31/ ... -contract/
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Go ahead and call it "Lantern Diplomacy":
The MO Botanical Gardens are to host, in 2012, a summerlong Chinese giant lantern festival.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news ... -host.html
Very, very smart.
The MO Botanical Gardens are to host, in 2012, a summerlong Chinese giant lantern festival.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news ... -host.html
Very, very smart.
"lantern diplomacy." I like it. Smart move; symbolism isn't lost on the Chinese
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Their written language depends on it!Colby wrote:symbolism isn't lost on the Chinese
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I used to work next to Cheongyecheon (urban stream that replaced a highway) and really enjoyed walking by the lantern art at night.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k0HWi4FcGIs/T ... nterns.jpg
walking under canopies of lanterns at temples is pretty amazing too.
^sorry, the first image is from Montreal and the second two are from Seoul. Not quite the same as what we'd get, but probably similar.
The engineers for that project estimated that there would be traffic problems if they got rid of the highway and today there is actually less traffic generated as a result...so I hear.DaronDierkes wrote:
I used to work next to Cheongyecheon (urban stream that replaced a highway) and really enjoyed walking by the lantern art at night.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k0HWi4FcGIs/T ... nterns.jpg
walking under canopies of lanterns at temples is pretty amazing too.
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If we can't tear down the elevated lanes maybe we could use them as a water slide?gary kreie wrote:There is an idea for what to put in place of the unneeded I-70 in front of the Arch. A mini-me Mississippi River going from the Bottle District to Chouteau Lake.
I'd like to see an Indy-style "Canal Walk" from Choteau Greenway behind Union Station north down the MODOT 22nd interchange area past the Tap Room (maybe they could open up a kayak paddle thru window) and then heading east down Cole or MLK and winding up at the Laclede Power/N. Riverfront Trail park. Here's Indy's Canal Walk http://www.discovercanal.com/
Could CityToRiver become CityStreamRiver? That's actually really cool.
-RBB
As long as we are dreaming about something that is hydrologically infeasible... I'd like more than a kayak or paddle boat pond, I'd like to see a Charles River-esc (or even Brush Creek) urban water way featuring walking paths and pedestrian bridges (similar to those shown above). I would love for it to be capable of rowing and even sailing (for the purposes of this thread - a Chinese Junk-type ship); next step - getting rid of most of the U.P. rail infrastructure (between Union Station and the MacArthur Bridge) and the depressed lanes of I-70.
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For those who get the Business Journal, flip to the last page and read Jeff Rainford's letter regarding the Big Idea. Powerful stuff, especially when he says, "the Chinese will build a hub in the US and their first choice is STL"....only if we get the bill passed... OUCH
There is also a lame-asz editor response to his letter...
There is also a lame-asz editor response to his letter...
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Any chance of Federal funds? Are the Chinese so hot for this that they can't wait for the next session?
It seems as though the Chinese are intent on establishing a hub somewhere in the States, so I doubt the feds really care where it would be established, and they certainly aren’t going to use the limited resources available to play musical chairs. I do, however, think that federal funding is relevant as it relates to disaster relief for Joplin and areas affected by flooding. More specifically, if Nixon can’t secure enough federal assistance, the China hub deal will almost certainly be killed because he would have to dig deep into the state treasury in order to come up with the relief funds those people so desperately need.
An unfortunate piece of news: http://www.kccommunitynews.com/smithvil ... etail.html
Also, Nixon still appears to be dragging his feet on the special session issue. I really don’t get it. I mean, he was eager to call one last year for a Ford plant, but he won’t call one in response to arguably the worst natural disaster in recent Missouri history or to pass a piece of legislation that would potentially revitalize the stl economy.
An unfortunate piece of news: http://www.kccommunitynews.com/smithvil ... etail.html
Also, Nixon still appears to be dragging his feet on the special session issue. I really don’t get it. I mean, he was eager to call one last year for a Ford plant, but he won’t call one in response to arguably the worst natural disaster in recent Missouri history or to pass a piece of legislation that would potentially revitalize the stl economy.
Looks like lobbying efforts are continuing:
http://hazelwood.patch.com/articles/a-u ... -china-hub
Quote from the article:
"Mike Leblanc, co-chair of the Northwest Chamber’s economic development committee, said if the legislature waits until September to look at the issue, the Chinese may discover Kansas City, MO or Memphis, TN are more serious than St. Louis about establishing a partnership."
http://hazelwood.patch.com/articles/a-u ... -china-hub
Quote from the article:
"Mike Leblanc, co-chair of the Northwest Chamber’s economic development committee, said if the legislature waits until September to look at the issue, the Chinese may discover Kansas City, MO or Memphis, TN are more serious than St. Louis about establishing a partnership."
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^ wouldn't kansas city need similar tax incentives? it would be pretty hilarious if the legislature passed a similar bill for KC after rejecting saint louis the previous session. hilarious. it'll probably happen though.