tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post3049957906202890694..comments2024-01-31T12:49:08.701-08:00Comments on STL Rising: The Case for a New Memorial DriveRick Bonaschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10825477678253483191noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-65344108984457317282009-02-05T10:08:00.000-08:002009-02-05T10:08:00.000-08:00O o/¯/________________________| IMMA FIRIN' MAH L...O o<BR/>/¯/________________________<BR/>| IMMA FIRIN' MAH LAZOR!!!<BR/>\_\¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-90192542280546323492008-07-09T16:44:00.000-07:002008-07-09T16:44:00.000-07:00This comment is from Steve Patterson's redirection...This comment is from Steve Patterson's redirection to this thread from his own on the same topic, and any not aware of Steve's post may also want to check that out: I believe a design competition is obviously in order, and then it's a matter of determining who would administer and then broadcast entry results, award any prizes and such. A competition is a must if the process to a solution is to be seen as a reflection of the concerns and desires of those who live in and visit this city.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-41015491303392808222008-07-09T13:09:00.000-07:002008-07-09T13:09:00.000-07:00At this time there are no renderings or cost estim...At this time there are no renderings or cost estimates for a project to rebuild Memorial Drive.<BR/><BR/>There is talk of organizing a design competition. The NEPA process for the update of the Arch management plan may lead to cost estimates of various alternatives.<BR/><BR/>The best way to get involved for now is to promote the idea with your neighbors, family and friends. For something like this to happen, it's going to take a call to action from the community at large.Rick Bonaschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10825477678253483191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-64203325925987914142008-07-08T23:06:00.000-07:002008-07-08T23:06:00.000-07:00This is exciting. How can I as a concerned citizen...This is exciting. How can I as a concerned citizen best help move us forward toward this end? Also, are you aware of any renderings, as primitive as they may be, of such a concept?<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/><BR/>AndrewAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02456339366119584224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-38527247255840620472008-07-06T18:02:00.000-07:002008-07-06T18:02:00.000-07:00Actually, no. The largest lid idea being considere...Actually, no. The largest lid idea being considered covers only three blocks. It leaves many of the depressed lanes exposed and doesn't change anything with the elevated lanes cutting off Washington Avenue and Laclede's Landing from the riverfront and downtown respectively.<BR/><BR/>With the depressed and elevated lanes replaced with a new, at grade Memorial Drive, circulation would work like this:<BR/><BR/>70 is being rerouted out of the depressed lanes to the new bridge<BR/><BR/>70 connects east and west over the new Mississippi River bridge, north of downtown.<BR/><BR/>55 crosses the Mississippi into Illinois via the Poplar Street Bridge.<BR/><BR/>44 terminates into a new Memorial Drive. <BR/><BR/>Drivers entering downtown from Illinois on 55 across the PSB would exit onto Memorial Drive as they do now.<BR/><BR/>Drivers entering downtown on the new Mississippi River Bridge would have multiple options heading south, including a new Memorial Drive.<BR/><BR/>Southside drivers heading north on 55 and 44 entering downtown would meet the new Memorial Drive and have multiple points for making turns into downtown along Memorial Drive.<BR/><BR/>Southside drivers heading north on 55 and 44 planning to pass through downtown would meet the new Memorial Drive, travel 15 or so blocks, and then be able to reconnect with 70 up near the new Mississippi bridge.<BR/><BR/>Getting back to the other part of your question, the answer is yes: the depressed lanes and elevated lanes would be eliminated and replaced with a new Memorial Drive.<BR/><BR/>MoDOT is dropping the name I-70 south of the new bridge project down through the depressed lanes. The current plan is to rename Interstate 70 at the depressed lanes Interstate 44 and then connect them with westbound 70.<BR/><BR/>Eastbound 44 becomes westbound 70. <BR/><BR/>With the new bridge project always in doubt, the assumption was that the depressed lanes would always be there. With the new bridge now funded and under development, the assumptions have changed.<BR/><BR/>Given the change in factors, it makes sense to commission a traffic study to determine the feasibility of vacating the depressed and elevated lanes and rebuilding Memorial Drive. <BR/><BR/>With the number of people at the NPS hearings bringing up this same idea, the NPS could take the lead on performing the traffic study as part of the federally required National Environmental Policy Act environmental review process. <BR/><BR/>This would be a good time to get St. Louis leaders, concerned residents, MoDOT, and other stakeholders all around the table to examine the possibilities.<BR/><BR/>To really get a sense of the dramatic transformation such a project would make, stand at the proposed Bottle District site and look towards the Arch and Laclede's Landing. Imagine the elevated lanes removed, a new landscaped parkway/boulevard in its place, with unobstructed views connecting the Arch, downtown and Laclede's Landing. <BR/><BR/>Rick BonaschRick Bonaschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10825477678253483191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-59434339932777675432008-07-05T18:25:00.000-07:002008-07-05T18:25:00.000-07:00Rick,I've always liked an open space connecting th...Rick,<BR/><BR/>I've always liked an open space connecting the riverfront to downtown. However, I'm confused. Are you saying the depressed lanes and elevated lanes would be eliminated? If so, what happens to the connections between 44/55 and 70? Do they just dump into new memorial drive?<BR/><BR/>Couldn't lid be put over depressed lanes and accomplish same thing?<BR/><BR/>thanks!<BR/>billAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-9529137194191986302008-07-01T17:47:00.000-07:002008-07-01T17:47:00.000-07:00What a great idea!!! You should contact as many o...What a great idea!!! You should contact as many of your fellow bloggers and the news media on these ideas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-87910886386007453922008-06-29T17:25:00.000-07:002008-06-29T17:25:00.000-07:00Great ideas, Rick. Everyone in town should read th...Great ideas, Rick. Everyone in town should read these suggestions; I don't think most people can envision how much this area could be improved, and how cheaply, by doing the kinds of things you suggest. You should certainly try to get this published as an editorial in the Post-Dispatch!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06101038602629256212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-29747120965942033792008-06-29T07:34:00.000-07:002008-06-29T07:34:00.000-07:00Rick, Excellent synopsis! I have been thinking ab...Rick, Excellent synopsis! I have been thinking about this exact concept for some time myself, based on what San Francisco did with the Embarcadero, which was a double deck freeway and is now a beautiful parkway. I attended the open house Wednesday myself for the last half hour, and spoke to the comment takers about the concept. They said that several people had made similar suggestions. They seemed to think it was an interesting idea to explore. The fact that the Park Service actually owns the land under Memorial and the highway could be good if they are receptive to the idea, although they might not be for the commercial development aspect that I also desire. I had heard that you have discussed this idea as well, and have been meaning to contact you about it. Maybe several of us should get together to discuss the idea.Vanishing STLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08798287914185180625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14698828.post-60833208825400398332008-06-27T08:20:00.000-07:002008-06-27T08:20:00.000-07:00Excellent Mr. Bonasch!!!Excellent Mr. Bonasch!!!Doug Duckworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15684467055184767166noreply@blogger.com