urbanSTL

About 1500 have children under 18.

Disappointing that more was cut from downtown.  Downtown is the center of the metro area, with a disproportionately high burden on its infrastructure and image.  Sorry, but investment in downtown IS investment in the entire city (and suburbs if we think big).  EVERYONE benefits from a thriving downtown.  Stupid politics and infighting serve no one.  

Also, the Cara bashing I've seen/heard so far during this race has not been compelling at all the TJ camp is going to need to do much better if they want to win people over (or back).  No one in their right mind would ever say the past 4 years have been awesome for the City of St. Louis.  It's incumbent on TJ to demonstrate why she is far and away the best candidate in this race and she has a LOT of ground to make up IMO.

Downtown funding will be restored on the floor

I don't get why Downtown needs a lot of infrastructure investment, it seems fine. I don't think if all the roads were freshly paved that would magically bring back the fortune 500 companies that used to based there. When I talk to people who have a bad image of Downtown infrastructure is not what they mention...

PeterXCV wrote: ↑

Jan 25, 2025

I don't get why Downtown needs a lot of infrastructure investment, it seems fine. I don't think if all the roads were freshly paved that would magically bring back the fortune 500 companies that used to based there. When I talk to people who have a bad image of Downtown infrastructure is not what they mention...

Making connections between major developments more seamless is the idea instead of fresh pavement.

Safer and nicer walks between Union station and enterprise or city museum and Union station, arch and ballpark village etc.

PeterXCV wrote: ↑

Jan 25, 2025

I don't get why Downtown needs a lot of infrastructure investment, it seems fine. I don't think if all the roads were freshly paved that would magically bring back the fortune 500 companies that used to based there. When I talk to people who have a bad image of Downtown infrastructure is not what they mention...

That's an oversimplification I think.  Downtown is a LOT more than just its infrastructure.  Would anyone argue that downtown is not an important part of the city?  It really is a microcosm of the city at large, and its condition reflects the city's/metro's priorities and values.  It is a terrible look that our downtown is in such a sorry state.  Again, investment in downtown is an investment in the whole city and everyone who lives, works and plays there.  It's frustrating that some alders are spinning this as an either/or scenario. Investing in downtown's future and vitality is a win-win for EVERYONE in the St. Louis metro area.  Attempts to downplay downtown's importance only underscores the systemic myopia St. Louis has become famous for.  I expect it in the suburbs/exurbs, but on the UrbanSTL forum?  We got problems.  

I'm not trying to dispute the importance of Downtown, I'm just skeptical its infrastructure is the problem. Like if all the streets are freshly paved and sidewalks brand new does that really bring more people to Downtown? I don't think it does. 

If this $$ were for something like rehabbing abandoned buildings or building affordable housing Downtown I maybe would have a different view of this investment but what is on the table here doesn't seem like the best use of limited funds to me.

Debaliviere91 wrote:Ehh come on. I didn’t see her behavior in this interview as strange or unusual at all. I also don’t see how she’s “going after” anyone.

She appears to disagree with the childcare aspect of the spend. Fair debate to have. Let’s focus on that.

well, at least DB is being inadvertently transparent about shilling for Jones now. (and, to be clear, that's his prerogative. just means i'm gonna be rolling my eyes a ton at all the thinly veiled spin.)

The thread is about the mayoral election. I think it’s pretty clear who is supporting which candidate.

^ agreed.

In my world, it was best to spend every dollar on downtown, riverfront and up the northeast corridor from downtown on infrastructure projects since that was the area that got hurt by the whole stadium land banking without a stadium and it’s a front door to the region that could be one of the best olin the country yet it can be quite uninviting - pedestrian improvements, bike lanes, beautification/street scraping, even a starter fund for a Broadway/Wash Ave streetcar. That’s what I wanted to happen with the money and what I would have fought for.

At the end of the day, a bunch of organizations and alders tried to get their piece, so we ended up with the plan we got. It’s okay. It’s not what I think will transform the city in the way that focusing on DT/Riverfront warehouse/Bottle district/Old North/St Louis Place would have. But hopefully other plans come up to develop those areas finally.

Be that as it may, I have a lot more confidence Jones will try everything to overcome the Northside Regen/Bottle District fiascos, Delmar divide and our downtown’s abandonment than Spencer. Unless Spencer comes out with dream level ideas to remove/boulevard I-44, some combo of Soulard/DT/DT West/Old North configured streetcar or a bankrolled development fund for downtown and the near northside, then I will be for Jones.

delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑

Jan 25, 2025

Be that as it may, I have a lot more confidence Jones will try everything to overcome the Northside Regen/Bottle District fiascos, Delmar divide and our downtown’s abandonment than Spencer. Unless Spencer comes out with ideas to remove/boulevard I-44, some combo of Soulard/DT/DT West/Old North configured streetcar or a bankrolled development fund for downtown and the near northside, then I will be for Jones.

Sincerely curious what gives you the confidence that TJ is the best candidate to advance these priorities? 

Tishaura Jones is in trouble
https://archive.ph/XAiT5

^ That's an interesting piece from Drebes but I think it overstates the setback for Jones from the winter storm fallout. He even seems to suggest that Jones may wind up in third and not advance to the General.  I can't possibly see that happening nor anything other than it being a Jones-Spencer race in April.   

I also think the voter approval system helps Jones in that even if Spencer pulls off an "upset" and winds up in first on March 4th, Jones will still be able to recover for the General and the January storm response will be less in the minds of voters by April.  

I had completely forgotten that Reed ran for mayor in 2021.

Politically, I think TJ should find a way to punt the final Rams spending plan until after next election. I don’t think interested voters will vote for her when they approve RAMS money for childcare to city employees who already make their money off taxpayers’ backs.

Just wait a little while, then if/when she wins or moves on, they can set aside money for free childcare for public employees.

You can really see how hateful and evil people are based on if they think a childcare benefit- provided by many private employers and the federal government- is something to complain about.

Then go into the private sector to a business that offers childcare. Simple.

whitherSTL wrote:Then go into the private sector to a business that offers childcare. Simple.

Well yeah. Thats what people do. They go work in the private sector instead of for the city. Remember the point of this is to attract more talent for city positions.

whitherSTL wrote: ↑

Jan 26, 2025

Then go into the private sector to a business that offers childcare. Simple.

I love that you just show people how unbelievably ***** stupid you are so we don't even really need to convince anyone who may be on the fence.

Yes! Love you guys! I guess Cara is an evil a hole too since she questioned it?

whitherSTL wrote: ↑

Jan 26, 2025

Yes! Love you guys! I guess Cara is an evil a hole too since she questioned it?

Spencer is a political vampire right now. She's gonna question anything she thinks can score political points on.

You're just an a**hole who clearly doesn't understand the basics of a competitive market based economy.