City hoping to add parking for pedestrian bridge

JCsleeper 1 year, 1 month ago

Yup, build a parking lot for the bike bridge. Let the folks without transportation keep walking in the street on MO Blvd. with its patchwork of sidewalks and no walk lights on the traffic signals.

melbrooks 1 year, 1 month ago

Sleeper, the MO Blvd sidewalk situation is being addressed. It was even in the News Tribune March 22. If this is important to you, a visit with your councilperson could have informed you about it.

jeffcitymo.org/documents/MOBlvd.pdf

Wow! It only took 35 years to get sidewalks added after Missouri Boulevard was re-done! Talk about a responsive government! Maybe the next 35 years we can work on getting some more street lights installed, or even some cross walks added!

Will there even be sidewalks in front of the Schnuck's shopping center, or is that newer construction still exempt from having them?

melbrooks 1 year, 1 month ago

Missouri Blvd. is a MoDOT road.

That being said, I'm glad the sidewalks are being added.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

Sidewalks may not help if people don't use them. Drive down East High Street or East Dunklin in the evenings and you will usually see people walking down the middle of the street, even though there are decent sidewalks on both sides of the street. Sometimes it is hard to see them when it is dark. Not sure why they do this-- guess their mommas never taught them to stay out of the street.

cmnsense 1 year, 1 month ago

How about a parking garage on Lot 10, with a walkway to another parking garage on Lots 8 and 9, with a walkway into the Truman Bldg? It would sure come in handy IF we get a convention center, and WHEN we eventually get a riverboat casino. Gotta accomodate all those visitors we hope to get, right? How about a little forward thinking??

cmnsense 1 year, 1 month ago

Of course, all those visitors would have to pay to park there (I believe that's called "revenue"), state employees just flash the badge.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

I think you will find that many state employees would be willing to pay for safe and convenient parking. Some are feeding the meters, and several are paying as much as $80 a month to rent spaces in the city parking lots. The state does not provide nearly enough parking for its own employees, especially for those who work uptown.

cmnsense 1 year, 1 month ago

This is true. But with all of the talk about a convention center, and "transformation" (not to mention regular yearly events like July 4th), they're obviously wanting to attract more visitors. How do they expect to accomodate them when the City's own employees have trouble finding a decent parking space? Kind of like putting the cart before the horse, ya know?

JMO 1 year, 1 month ago

And some pay a whole lot of tickets. :-)

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

How about rebuilding the pedestrian bridge over Wear's creek too? (Or at least take out those ugly concrete steps and the sidewalks leading to them. If you are going to remove a bridge- finish the job and remove all of it and clean up the mess.)

If we had better public transit, there would be no need for a parking lot for the bike bridge. A small shuttle bus could easily transport people around the uptown areas, taking them to bike bridge on one end and stopping uptown business area, capitol building, MSP/Federal Courthouse, Lincoln University, Performing Arts Center, uptown area hotels, etc. The public transportation would help both visitors and residents get around without having to drive everywhere and struggle to find a parking place. It would also relieve the city from hiring more parking enforcement meter maids and buying more tricycles to drive around and harass the people parking in those lots.

Getting rid of the state employee shuttles a few years ago was a major blow to people who work in the uptown area. Getting rid of it also put a lot more pressure on precious parking spaces uptown. Many folks enjoyed the convenience of parking in either the Industrial Drive lot or the old MSP lot and being shuttled uptown.

Public transit is mostly a bad joke in this town. The big busses ride around empty most of the day, because they do not go where people need to go. Then they do not run at all during the nights and weekends, which further cuts out over half of available customers who might use them. Seems like smaller vans like airport shuttles would be more efficient, and better route planning could make our busses way more helpful. Lincoln University students and state employees, as well as conventioneers and visitors are all large groups of potential customers not being served, and of course there are plenty of other folks including the elderly and disabled who would use the busses more if they better met the needs of these people.

melbrooks 1 year, 1 month ago

Lifer, I'm sure you're aware the parking lots and the former pedestrian bridge over Wear's Creek are both state property. Also, the shuttle was discontinued because the state was unable or chose not to provide funding for it. I also wish both still existed, but those are state responsibilities.

The current route for that area hits much of the areas you mention.

jeffcitymo.org/transit/documents/HSE-Jan2012.pdf

Think it should go somewhere else? Let them know.

jeffcitymo.org/Forms/pwcomplaintform.asp

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

i can see that the state might have more interest in the pedestrian bridge than the city, but I don't see how the city would not have interest in supporting public transit in this town, even if some routes have a majority of state employees. I recall that the shuttles were open to anyone who wanted to park away from the uptown area and get a ride to the uptown area. These do not have to be free rides like they previous ones were. If the State cannot pay for them, it would be fine for the city to charge riders for the trip. I would bet most people would be happy to pay a buck or two for the ride.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

BTW: I don't have a complaint. I have some suggestions on how the city could better serve it's citizens. If the City staff view all communications from citizens as "complaints"- well, maybe that is part of a bigger problem here. City employees work for the citizens, not the other way around. Calling citizens "complainers" and their suggestions, requests, and input as "complaints" says a lot about the attitudes down at City Hall.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

I looked at your link, and I don't see where that route stops at ANY of the places I mentioned. (Bike bridge, MSP/Federal Courthouse, Lincoln University, Performing Arts Center, uptown area hotels, etc) . It goes nearby a few of these places, but it hardly seems convenient for anyone wanting to use the bike bridge, or for visitors or conventioneers wanting to visit any of these places. If you want to serve people, you have to do a better job than this. This route does not meet any of the needs that we are discussing here.

melbrooks 1 year, 1 month ago

Does not meet any of the needs? Really?

There is a stop on High Street within one block of MSP at Chestnut. There is a stop on Dunklin and Lafayette, right at the entrance to the LU campus. There is a stop at City Hall, which is less than a block from the Doubletree and the Miller Performing Arts Center. There is a stop at Jefferson and McCarty, less than a block from the Capitol Plaza. On the High Street West Route, there is a stop at High and Bolivar--less than half a block from the bike bridge.

jeffcitymo.org/transit/documents/HSW-Jan2012.pdf

Surely folks don't expect to be dropped off directly in front of their final destination! Getting within a block or less of the final destination is pretty darn good, in my opinion.

If you believe the current routes are insufficient, go to City Hall (you could ride the bus!) and visit with Roger Schwartze and tell him why you believe the current routes do not meet critical needs.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

I guess your idea of quality customer service and meeting customer's needs is a little different than mine. I was kind of thinking that taxpayers and visitors might want something a little better than just being dropped off a block or so from their destination. I was also thinking that the city was wanting to grow and attract more visitors and residents. Probaby it is best that we don't spoil them too much before they move here.

I would love to ride the bus to the council meetings, but I can't. 1) the bus route's terminate around 5:30 or so, and 2) the bus doesn't go near my neighborhood. Thanks for the invite, though.

melbrooks 1 year, 1 month ago

Bus services get one in the vicinity of one's destination. Taxi services drop one off at the door of one's destination. That's part of the reason for the substantial price differential. In my opinion, it's a pretty good deal for a dollar fare.

If you want to have a conversation with a city official, it does not have to be during a council meeting.

muleman 1 year, 1 month ago

One question I have is there a bus from the east end to either Wal*mart? Before you go slamming me for bigotry, the reason I ask is because there are disabled people that live in these projects too, and yes they draw SSI or SSD. Since the East end Gerbes closed there isnt a grocery store close by anymore, the same with Myrtle Street. When forced to fall back on public transportation its impossible to "stock up" which means more trips. Just asking because I sure see a lot of cabs at stores and wonder about bus service

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

Cabs? Last time I called a cab there was a two-hour wait. The cab service is lacking around here. Speaking of bigotry, I remember not too long ago the city would not let a minority businessman start up his own cab company in this town. I never understood why City Hall felt like they had to create and maintain a taxicab monopoly, but I suspect the people who made that rule never needed a cab and were told it would be a two hour wait.

online_editor 1 year, 1 month ago

FYI... East Walmart and Super Gerbes are on the same route. Save-A-Lot (where Gerbes East used to be) is on another route. See the routes at jeffcitymo.org/publicworks/transit/schedules.html

asb 1 year, 1 month ago

Lifer actually has a legitimate gripe about the buses. Yes, they go close to many places, but only one actually goes right downtown. The Jefferson & McCarty stop is a long, very uphill walk for any but the young and fit. Downtown was, and should be, the primary transfer point for the system, but local businesses on High Street didn't like the color, age, and economic status of the majority of the riders, so they had a study (chuckle), and moved the transfer point to the city garage area. It works, but it discourages riders, makes downtown a distant memory and goal of many past riders, and violates the primary rule of all bus systems, transfer downtown. The daily, weekend and holiday shortfalls are also unfortunate. Look, buses cost a lot, but people cost more and running all hours and non-business days just doesn't make fiscal sense. A non-governmental city of this size often wouldn't even have buses. More, smaller, longer running, and call-for-rides systems cost far too much to consider. Much of the South and West are off limits due to walking distance and hills. The new 40 minute cycles make scheduling a bear also. It's the best we're going to be able to afford until superlight electric self-driving vehicles are available.

melbrooks 1 year, 1 month ago

You mean for all the unhappiness with the current set up, we have the best solution possible with the limited resources available? How did that happen? :-)

Your comment about "color, age, and economic status" is a pretty strong charge. Based on a conversation with a person who is active in the Downtown area, it's my understanding that a primary consideration was the lack of bathroom facilities and climate-controlled shelter. Secondary was the difficulty in buses pulling back out onto High Street, which is very narrow for those size of buses. Third was the noise the buses bring with them.

In my opinion, one does not have to be young or even fit to walk a single block uphill. Of course if one is disabled, Handi-Wheels is available.

I do wish there a way could be found to offer public transportation later into the evening and on weekends. But I also understand budget realities.

asb 1 year, 1 month ago

I've been here for over 30 years and have heard the phrase "those bus people" from business owners and downtown lawyers too many times to think that noise or traffic alone did the buses in. No bus system has a nearly suburban transfer point if there's only one. But you're right, the language was a bit strong, my bad.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

One would think with all the vacant buildings uptown, that it might be possible to put a public bathroom somewhere. However, that might encourage people to come uptown, so I guess that might ruin the perfect little slice of heaven they have going on up there now.

melbrooks 1 year, 1 month ago

Please list the vacant buildings to which you are referring. Please be specific. I walked down High Street earlier this week, and saw very few vacancies. Of course, with your standards for things being nearby "somewhere", they'd have to put a bathroom on the curb next to the bus stop.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

I don't uinderstand why you are making personal attacks and snarky insults toward me again, but there is a perfect little place for a convenient public restroom in the abandoned little shop right next door to the blighted parking garage that used to be the old Capitol Theater, right accross the street from the state capitol building.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

My comments are not directed personally like yours here is. I was talking about unknown third parties, not directly TO you are any particular person.

What is your problem with the personal attacks and following me around like a leg-humping dog? Can't you focus on the issues and topic of discussion?

melbrooks 1 year, 1 month ago

Quoting you, in comments on this article alone: "Wow! It only took 35 years to get sidewalks" and "guess their mommas never taught them to stay out of the street" and "Probaby [sic] it is best that we don't spoil them too much before they move here" and "that might ruin the perfect little slice of heaven they have going on up there now." Any snark there? If you are going to throw that much snark around, expect some to inevitably seep back.

Regarding the location you suggest for public bathrooms: it is private property. How would you suggest the city obtain it? I phoned a Realtor friend of mine; he filled me in on that property. It is owned by Central Bank. He said they own the whole block (except for the Post Office), and he believes they have plans for the property and would be unwilling to sell.

I'll ask again: what vacancies, specifically? If I recall correctly, the vacancies on High Street can be counted on one hand.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

You still don't see the difference between blasting an individual directly (like you are doing here to me) and speaking in general terms about unknown persons behaviors?

This forum is to discuss issues and topics relating to the news story, not to cross-examine and harass other posters. Your attacks are exactly the reason this thread will soon be shut down. Your opinions are fine, they don't need to be defended, and I have not attacked your opinions, but I have tried to answer your questions. However you seem to be taking my opinions personally, as though what I think matters to your value as a human being.

Sorry, i'm not playing with you any more. I am sticking to comments of opinion, not holding court to judge individual posters. You can disagree without being attacking. I hope you have a nice evening and weekend.

online_editor 1 year, 1 month ago

We don't have a rule against snarky comments per se. If we did, that would kill at least 70 percent of all criticism of politics, politicians and political policies. Our policy is to discourage personal attacks against other participants in the forum because that leads to off-topic back-and-forth personal bickering that can monopolize the discussion, just like this snit is doing, and that, in turn, can discourage others from entering discussions or staying on topic. On the other hand, if you want to call a politician an incompetent airhead, that falls within the realm of political speech. Even though allowed, that would be much more valuable to readers if folks will go beyond the ad hominem and explain their reasoning. If it helps to cut down on personal bickering with a specific individual, don't think of this as a debate with the other person you must win; think of it as a podium to address and convince the entire reading audience that your views are worth embracing. Hope that helps. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune

viktorkowski 1 year, 1 month ago

I don't understand this myself. they are treating transit passengers as a burden or criminals. why exactly did they move the transfer away from downtown? I actually tried to use it one week to get my kid to use it more often and I have to tell you it only gets you halfway usually where you need to go. people are left standing next to a sign on high traffic areas with no benches as well.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

WeWe don't even have public transportation to the train station.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

By the way: The crosswalk (no signals) and the area in front of the Ice Skating Rink is a very hazardous area for pedestrians walking from the parking lot to the Ice Rink entrance. That area down there is so dark, and many times pedestrians have nearly been hit. Is there any way that the city could put some street lights to light up the cross walk and the front of the Ice Rink building? That would help so much improve the safety down there. I cannot count the many near hits that happen down there all the time. Lighting up the parking lot would be nice too, but really- that crosswalk area and the front of the Ice Rink building are very hazardous.

melbrooks 1 year, 1 month ago

Actually, if you look at the link on the city's website, it says "Comments/Complaints".

jeffcitymo.org/transit/announcements.html

As a former state employee, it was my experience that the vast majority of people don't call to offer comments (meaning a compliment or a realistic suggestion for improvement.) Many are motivated to call because they are dissatisfied, and believe because "employees work for the citizens, not the other way around", they believe they are within their rights to verbally abuse the public employee. I suspect it is the same with the city.

It seems the web programmer was likely aware of that human tendency when he/she named the link--which only appears in the address bar of the browser.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

I do not believe it is proper to abuse public employees with rude comments, just as it isn't a great idea for folks to make snarky replies to others expressing their opinions in internet forums.

muleman 1 year, 1 month ago

How about if people would ride their bikes to the bike bridge?

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

Then they wouldn't need to build a parking lot there, Silly!

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 1 month ago

That's a very good question! How about it, city staffers?

Why are the City Council and staff expecting people to drive cars to the pedestrian bridge and then get out their running sho-es or a bicycle? I suspect the Council and staff have no idea what it would be like to actually walk or ride a bicycle somewhere. I don't think they get the concept.

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 1 month ago

Really strange obscenity filter, News Tribune people! I have great difficulty understanding why "sho-es" without the dash would be prohibited.

JCLifer 1 year, 1 month ago

They must like to wear boots instead. I agree about the goofy obscenity filter. Even more ironic that a filter that tries to make the forum a nicer place has a snarky response telling the poster to "Watch your mouth!". I guess the filter is a "do as I say, not as I do" filter...

viktorkowski 1 year, 1 month ago

I have a task for you. try to get to the city bridge from the greenway trail off dunklin. let me know how many near misses you have with vehicles. its as though the city gets the idea but only goes halfway. I wish we could take some cues from Minneapolis. they are spot on as to bike traffic

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 1 month ago

I'vd actually done that a few times. Both directions. The biggest challenge is the short light to cross MO Boulevard on Dunklin to get to Bolivar or whatever it is at St. Mary's Hospital. West McCarty is not quite as tough.

City hoping to add parking for pedestrian bridge

More like this story

Comments