Abstract:
Many urban and suburban communities in the St. Louis area have grown up around heavily traveled arterial highways that essentially function as their main streets. These streets often feature auto-oriented developments, increasing traffic congestion and diminished pedestrian, bicycle, and transit usage. Frequently, the communities lack a physical identity, and these roadways serve only as traffic conduits rather than streets that reinforce a sense of place. The St. Louis Great Streets Initiative is in response to this set of problems, sponsored by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois region. The over-riding purpose of the Initiative is to empower local communities to be advocates for improved street designs that will strengthen the communities and spur healthy economic development. The year-long Initiative has four stages: (1) A Great Streets Symposium to introduce the concepts and to stimulate local leaders to consider taking action. (2) A digital Reference Guide, designed to provide technical assistance to the local governments and implementing agencies. (3) A technical workshop to familiarize interested communities with the Guide and to encourage them to begin developing projects. (4) Approximately three demonstration projects selected from nominations by the communities. The paper will summarize the process and products of this four-stage effort. The authors will compare this initiative to others ongoing at other MPOs, and offer lessons learned for organizations considering similar efforts in their communities or regions.
