Let’s build BPV phase 3, get millenium going, RWC redevelop, Chemical redevelop. Cardinals good season will only be cherry on top if we get all thatdbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Oct 05, 2024Downtown traffic by zipcode for July 2024 vs 2023 (from Placer AI)
63101: -5%
63102: -7%
63103: +21%
Effects of bad cardinals season will be seen in 63101 and 63102 in August and Sept data too, would be worse if Arch visitors being up 10% didn’t mask some of cardinals lose
i respect your proposals and agree we should not be going for long term endowment approach.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Oct 07, 2024Investing the Rams Settlement for a Stronger Future in St. Louis
After much reflection on how best to use the $302 million Rams settlement, I’ve come to the conclusion that now is the time to invest these funds. While there is merit in considering a long-term endowment, the immediate needs of the city and the opportunity to create transformative change make it clear that it should be spent within the next 6-24 months. By focusing on high-impact projects today, we can build a stronger foundation for St. Louis and shape its future for the better.
City residents have weighed in on a variety of options for this money, and while all suggestions are important, a few key areas stand out as pivotal to the city’s progress. First and foremost, a significant portion of the funds, around $200 million, should be dedicated to infrastructure improvements across downtown, the north side, and the southeast city. These areas are in urgent need of roadway upgrades and repairs, which will improve mobility, reduce traffic issues, and make the city more accessible for residents and businesses alike. At the same time, we should invest in beautification projects that will enhance public spaces, creating a more inviting environment for both residents and visitors. Addressing vacant and unsafe buildings is also critical. By revitalizing or removing these structures, especially in underserved neighborhoods, we can tackle blight, improve public safety, and make way for future development that will reinvigorate the community.
$40 million should be invested in improving the quality of child care in the city. Access to reliable, high-quality child care is a pressing issue for many families in St. Louis. By providing grants to city-based child care facilities, we can help increase capacity, improve the quality of care, and support working parents who rely on these services to remain active in the workforce. This is not only an investment in children but also in the strength of the economy, as more parents will have the support they need to maintain their careers.
$30 million should be allocated to upgrading the city’s water infrastructure. Ensuring reliable access to clean water is a fundamental need, and our aging infrastructure is at risk of failing. By investing in modernizing these systems, we can safeguard the health and well-being of city residents , avoid costly repairs or public health crises in the future, and create a more sustainable and resilient water system that can support the city’s growth for years to come.
Lastly, $32 million should be directed toward across-the-board raises for city employees These dedicated workers are the backbone of our public services, yet many are underpaid and overworked. By increasing their compensation, we will not only boost morale and retention but also improve the quality of the services they provide to the community. Better pay means a more motivated workforce, which directly translates into more effective services for city resident’s from sanitation to safety to transportation. Moreover, these raises will have a ripple effect on the local economy, as higher wages lead to increased spending in local businesses and services.
The Rams settlement represents a rare opportunity for St. Louis to address long-standing challenges and invest in meaningful projects that will have lasting effects. Waiting or opting for a long-term endowment risks diluting the impact of these funds and missing the chance to create visible, lasting change. Alders have a responsibility to act now, making bold, strategic decisions that will not only improve the lives of residents today but also set the stage for a stronger, more prosperous St. Louis in the future.
Agreed on the salaries. I think the money should be used to address issues that will help lower the budget in the future or at least not increase it. I would focus on the water system and road diets. I would also focus everywhere but downtown because any work downtown is more complex and immediately way more expensive. Aggressive bidding and if they have the capacity to plan and lead the work themselves would make the money go a lot further.STLEnginerd wrote: ↑Oct 08, 2024i respect your proposals and agree we should not be going for long term endowment approach.dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Oct 07, 2024Investing the Rams Settlement for a Stronger Future in St. Louis
After much reflection on how best to use the $302 million Rams settlement, I’ve come to the conclusion that now is the time to invest these funds. While there is merit in considering a long-term endowment, the immediate needs of the city and the opportunity to create transformative change make it clear that it should be spent within the next 6-24 months. By focusing on high-impact projects today, we can build a stronger foundation for St. Louis and shape its future for the better.
City residents have weighed in on a variety of options for this money, and while all suggestions are important, a few key areas stand out as pivotal to the city’s progress. First and foremost, a significant portion of the funds, around $200 million, should be dedicated to infrastructure improvements across downtown, the north side, and the southeast city. These areas are in urgent need of roadway upgrades and repairs, which will improve mobility, reduce traffic issues, and make the city more accessible for residents and businesses alike. At the same time, we should invest in beautification projects that will enhance public spaces, creating a more inviting environment for both residents and visitors. Addressing vacant and unsafe buildings is also critical. By revitalizing or removing these structures, especially in underserved neighborhoods, we can tackle blight, improve public safety, and make way for future development that will reinvigorate the community.
$40 million should be invested in improving the quality of child care in the city. Access to reliable, high-quality child care is a pressing issue for many families in St. Louis. By providing grants to city-based child care facilities, we can help increase capacity, improve the quality of care, and support working parents who rely on these services to remain active in the workforce. This is not only an investment in children but also in the strength of the economy, as more parents will have the support they need to maintain their careers.
$30 million should be allocated to upgrading the city’s water infrastructure. Ensuring reliable access to clean water is a fundamental need, and our aging infrastructure is at risk of failing. By investing in modernizing these systems, we can safeguard the health and well-being of city residents , avoid costly repairs or public health crises in the future, and create a more sustainable and resilient water system that can support the city’s growth for years to come.
Lastly, $32 million should be directed toward across-the-board raises for city employees These dedicated workers are the backbone of our public services, yet many are underpaid and overworked. By increasing their compensation, we will not only boost morale and retention but also improve the quality of the services they provide to the community. Better pay means a more motivated workforce, which directly translates into more effective services for city resident’s from sanitation to safety to transportation. Moreover, these raises will have a ripple effect on the local economy, as higher wages lead to increased spending in local businesses and services.
The Rams settlement represents a rare opportunity for St. Louis to address long-standing challenges and invest in meaningful projects that will have lasting effects. Waiting or opting for a long-term endowment risks diluting the impact of these funds and missing the chance to create visible, lasting change. Alders have a responsibility to act now, making bold, strategic decisions that will not only improve the lives of residents today but also set the stage for a stronger, more prosperous St. Louis in the future.
I can't speak to the totals you refer to but i largely agree that the priority should be infrastructure related and spread over many projects primarily ones that deliver long term wellness and growth.
My one quibble is i do not think a windfall should be used to address salary issues and i don't believe in "across the board raises". I would LARGELY agree the salaries may be too low in the city of St.Louis and significant pay rises are likely due. That said salaries are paid out YOY not one and done so salary adjustment should come out of the yearly revenue. To the second point i am sure there are many employees who deserve a raise to bring their compensation to something that can be considered fair but i cant imagine the distribution should be perfectly flat. It should be applied more judiciously than just a flat rise.
if i was ranking these priorities i would sayaddxb2 wrote: ↑Oct 08, 2024I’ve never understood the water argument. Aren’t there taxing of pricing mechanisms that can be exercised to fund infrastructure?
I want the money spent where (1) there aren’t easily exercised funding mechanisms already, (2) impact of rams departure is largest, (3) opportunity for return on investment is largest, (4) transformational and visible impact.
Downtown is the obvious answer based on my personal criteria.
FleishmanHillard? you informed someone else would also be moving....who is that?dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Oct 08, 2024Freischman is moving, as discussed here lately
HOK but to another downtown building
Do you know if they're going to leave downtown for Clayton or somewhere else?dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Oct 09, 2024They lease 130,000 SF but they haven’t occupied that much since 2019
I could support some seed money to negotiate with UP what would be required and to assemble the lands required since having discretionary cash on hand allows the city to act quickly on a real-estate deal rather than going to the public for votes and issuing bonds to raise the capital. Honestly in some ways maybe this is EXACTLY how the money should be used to reshape the city.TheWayoftheArch_V2.0 wrote: ↑Oct 08, 2024The city can't staff it's current needs, what makes you think it can build out and staff a construction arm? I say they drop most of it, ~200mil on a rejuvenated Chouteau's lake project, land assemblage and build the lake / walkways, move the rail lines and make ready all adjacent parcels for sale to developers.
i think the water infrastructure is important, and northside street projects needed, so other 80 mil to that, plus maybe a reinvention of River Des Peres.
