urbanSTL

Design firm chosen for Chouteau Greenway:

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ ... c30ef.html

I don't think you're alone, no. Felt to me like most folks here were none too pleased with the park idea on Laclede's Landing. And I, for one, was quite disappointed in their decision of design teams for the Chouteau Greenway.

Don't worry; I sent several messages to them and they don't even bother to reply.

All they care about is blowing money on underutilized green space.

Anyone have a direct contact to someone at GRG? Not that it'll change anything, as they already seem hellbent on more memorial parks.

But isn't GRG's whole purpose to build, you know, greenways?

GRG is both responsive and responsible. Try using their website. The staff and their emails are available there.

Rode the new link between Grants Trail and Des Peres River Greenway last night.  Its a good ride and has some interesting features.  Its not totally done - GRG is waiting until the water levels for River Des Peres go down to install the bridge needed to totally complete the extension. You can take a quick jog south on River City Blvd to Alabama  I believe if you want to connect with the River Des Peres Trail.

Hodiamont appears to be moving forward finally. Architect under contract.


http://greatriversgreenway.org/hodiamont/


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addxb2 wrote: ↑

Aug 07, 2020

Hodiamont appears to be moving forward finally. Architect under contract.


http://greatriversgreenway.org/hodiamont/


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This project could really help bridge the Delmar divide.  The 606 Trail project in Chicago, while elevated, was a catalyst for transforming adjacent neighborhoods.  Smart folks bought properties close to the trail before it was built.  I wonder if property is being snatched up along Hodiamont Tracks right now? 

Hodiamont will be a great safe E/W route through North City, but I have doubts about its ability to attract tourists and large scale development to the area. The 606 is elevated which is a novelty in and of itself. It also goes through much wealthier and denser areas. Unfortunately the Hodiamont is treated as an alley throughout most of its length, which definitely limits its appeal as a scenic bike ride. A priority for GRG should be acquiring and repairing the few retail buildings along the route such as 5200 Cates, 4755 McMillan, 928 Pendleton, and 929 N Sarah. Bringing these back into the fold would set a nice precedent for future development along the line.

^ I agree. It’s success will also be contingent on their approach to crossing Kingshighway. I won’t ride it at all if I don’t feel like I can safely cross Kingshighway. Maybe if they use a similar design as the SLU Grand crossing with plenty of physical barriers.

Most of the issues likely to make it attractive to non-neighborhood-residents are way, way out of GRG's control and ability to deliver. I mean, there's no way to make 3.5 linear miles safe in a rough neighborhood, nor to keep cars off of it, nor to avoid all the street crossings.

I'm not sure what GRG would do to make it that much better than it currently is. Signs, obviously, and moving a few Schoemehl pots. Repaving part of its width? I'm sure I'm failing to comprehend what's involved in turning a paved alley/street into a trail.

You'd hope they add barriers to cars entering Hodiament if they turn it into a greenway.  

Im not sure he dramatically changes the perception but with some positive developments in the West End and the coming Delmar Divine it may be a more attractive place to stay if you already live there and maybe marginally more development with just bikers/walkers exploring trails on a map they see.

I listened in on the GRG educational kick-off meeting last night.

• The greenway will span 7 neighborhoods (GC/Covenant Blu, Vandeventer, Lewis Place, Fountain Park, Academy, Vis Park, West End)
• It will be part of the larger Centennial Greenway
• It will be ~3.5 miles and greenways typically run in the $3M-4M range per mile
• 95% of neighbors polled are in favor of the greenway; biggest concerns crime, illegal dumping, lack of maintenance vehicle traffic)
• The planning has been going on since 2013, in 2019 surveyors are starting work to assess complicated property ownership and utility easements; in 2020 conceptual planning or the greenway will commence
• There is no timeline for completion at this time.
• GRG is looking for people living in those neighborhoods to sit on planning board/committee. They are great that way.
• If you are neighbor, go to GreatRiversGreenway.org/Hodiamont to learn more or sign up

I asked if they would start on the west side, middle or east. They still don't know. This is one where I'd start at Delmar DiVine and head east and then west from there. If DD can partner with this, it could be amazing.

I would love to see some of the open space be converted to b-ball courts and small pocket parks for little ones. And of course, the awesome building listed here should be a community center/pedestrian/bike recharging/rest station.

http://www.stlouiscitytalk.com/posts/2018/11/11/daydream-385-steetcar-museum-on-the-hodiamont-tracks

Not sure where to post this but maintenance along the river Des Peres Greenway, particularly between Watson and Gravois, is troubling. Weeds and grass over five feet in some places. Who takes care of this?


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^ Thanks for posting.   Getting my bearings straight and wondering if that is the site of the old McDonalds?

I think there is some great opportunity for Maplewood to expand the Deer Creek Greenway & flood plain if some of the businesses on the other side of Big Bend could be bought out & relocated on higher ground.

The Intense rainfalls and urban flash flooding as well as heat waves will be norm every year or so going forward.  Upstate New York and Vermont communities being the latest areas.   Expanding Greenways and urban floodplains is a great way to bring back some natural sumps and much needed canopy.  

NextSTL - 25 Years of Great Rivers Greenway: A Timeline + A Conversation with GRG’s Emma Klues

https://nextstl.com/2025/09/25-years-of ... mma-klues/

Great article. 

I really hope that one day a way can be found to connect the North Riverfront Trail to the Katy Trail (even if it requires going through Illinois) 

The Arch and DTSTL is such an ideal finish line for people biking the entire length of the trail. Not to mention we are so close to the ability to bike between DTKC and DTSTL on all separated trails. 

On the STL side the Katy needs to be extended about 5 miles through farm fields to connect to Alton, then MCT Trails needs to connect their Confluence Trail to the Chain of Rocks Bridge (maybe one mile?)

In KC the Rock Island Trail ends in the parking lot of the Truman Sports Complex. There is a gap (maybe 5 miles) in the trail between Pleasant Hill and Lee's Summit and about a 1 mile gap between the Truman Sports Complex and the Blue River Trail which connects to the great KC network of protected trails/bike lanes that can be taken right to DTKC.

We have this amazing asset of the Katy/Rock Island Trails and we are SO CLOSE to having the two cities being truly connected. Less than 20 miles of trail need to be constructed to finish it.