ThreeOneFour wrote:And I think people here are simply pointing out that a flaw inventory for other cities would probably be just as long and/or difficult to address.
We strive to make this forum a vehicle for positive discussion about St. Louis, but if you'll take a closer look at conversations around here, about issues like the delicate balance between chain establishments and local businesses in downtown and other revitalized areas, homelessness, and crime, I don't exactly think we're a bunch of Pollyannas with our heads in the clouds. I think many of us have already taken inventory of St. Louis' challenges one way or another at some point.
Besides, it's so simple to do a flaw inventory for any city. Let's take Houston, for example. Flaw #1: It's in Texas.
Let's address the flaw inventory
specific to St. Louis. Let's not deflect. Houston has an unemployment rate, but St. Louis' higher. Why? Houston has a city government, so does St. Louis, however, which one is more effective and has fewer people governing a larger population and square miles? Crime is bad in Houston, trust me, but St. Louis makes the top "Most Dangerous Cities" list annually, when other cities of similar size do not. It explains my point about the social conditions (unemployment, poverty, education, disease, crime etc.) that are problematic in St. Louis. All cities share some of the same social problems, but some problems are more acute in certain cities than others.
Further, I was in Cincy this summer, its riverfront pees on St. Louis' now. The combined Cincy and Covington riverfronts make St. Louis' waterfront look ridiculous - and this was not always the case. St. Louis used to have a very vibrant waterfront. Outside of a few festivals - it's dead. I say it's poor leadership. All talk and no action. How long have we've waited to see the lid and other elaborate plans come to fruition? Hell, the Gateway Foundation can't do it all.
And trust me, I read the comments here. I might not sign on or respond every time because I do have a life, but I do manage to read a lot of the comments on this board - on my slow days. I have read how homeless people have been called "hobos" and "bums". I also know there are people who have made logical suggestions about how to remedy problems facing downtown and the city. The problem is not with them, but it is with the city, regional leadership, the business and real estate community - and citizens who are lazy and complacent. They want to be top tier and respected, but don't do enough to reach that goal. People like Joe Edwards are God-sends to St. Louis. Imagine him times a 1000 - and that's what you have in Houston. Inspiring visionaries that make things happen. The Kemah Boardwalk was the vision of one man.
And for the record, I don't think of Houston (or any other city) as flawless perfect cities, however, there is a "can do" mentality and community cooperation/spirit in Houston that escapes St. Louis. It's refreshing and it's something I wish for St. Louis.
