SMPS Newsletter • March 2012

Index • Sept Special 2012 May Special 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 Special - Jimmie January 2012 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011

CORNERS AND CROSSWALKS
ON MAIN STREET

The issue:

The city is in the process of a much needed street project. Improvement work on the sidewalks, curbs and street within the Historic District boundaries south of Boone’s Lick create an opportunity for Historic District retail and residential growth.

The street project includes federal funding and therefore the city must meet certain requirements for the American Disabilities Act. ADA corners must include a sloped ramp and truncated domes (bumpy pads). These can be seen on Boone’s Lick and other places on Main Street and Riverside Drive.

At Main and Boone’s Lick, the southwest corner was filled with a concrete slab. Neighborhood property owners objected to the concrete slab in the brick sidewalk and asked that the sidewalk corners and ramps be all brick with the required truncated dome. The design chosen at this time for sidewalk corners and crosswalks will likely set the standard for corners and crosswalks throughout North and South Main Street.

Though it was stated that a compliant design of all-brick was possible, the Street Committee this week chose a design that includes brick with concrete ‘ribbons’. The final decision is with Council. The next regular Council meeting is Tuesday, March 20.

The objections:

• The 'ribbon' design is visually inappropriate on Main Street.
• The concrete stripes will deteriorate with freeze/thaw and will look shabby in a few years.
• The concrete striping adds unnecessary cost.

Editor's comment:

Our nationally recognized Historic District is an enormous asset to the city of St. Charles. The district exists due to both public and private efforts. Individual property owners' investments of time and money make the Historic District possible. It is reasonable to ask that elected officials make every effort to serve the wishes of private investors who contribute to the city's Main Street assets and tourism industry for the benefit of all St. Charles citizens.

The visual details in the Main Street streetscape are important. Property owners are held to standards... city projects should also meet standards for visual and historical aesthetics.

Get involved:

If you agree that Main Street sidewalk corners should remain all brick rather than striped with recessed interior concrete curbs, please click here to send a message to Council. >> Or, call the Mayor's office at 636-949-3268. And comment on the blog >>.

SMPS Newsletter • March 2012

Index • Sept Special 2012 May Special 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 Special - Jimmie January 2012 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011

THE APPRECIATION BOX
FINALLY ARRIVED!!

Last spring, the Lewis & Clark Fife & Drum Corps donated volunteer labor and materials to mulch trees on South Main. An 'Appreciaton Box' was circulated to collect notes of thanks from everyone on Main Street. The box made full circle of the Historic District and finally arrived this week... stuffed full of thank you notes and even some cash donations for the Corps!

Thanks everyone for adding to the box! Thanks and appreciation to the Corps!

Corps website >>

NEWS FROM
FIRST MISSOURI STATE CAPITOL

Bob Adams is retiring after 19 years with State Parks and 11 with First State Capitol. He has accepted a position with St. Charles County Parks in Preservation. His last day here is March 19.

Bob will be missed by all!

WHERE ARE THE WOMEN?
Missing Pieces of the Peck Brothers Story

Sunday, March 18 - 2 to 3pm
First Missouri State Capitol
Free and Open to the Public

Until 2011, the Peck Brothers, owners of the building which housed Missouri’s First State Capitol, were interpreted as bachelors in a frontier town. Recent research has discovered the women who were part of their lives which resulted in a change of interpretation in the exhibits and a new way to look at the family life of these St. Charles pioneers.

SMPS MEETINGS

Regular monthly meetings are held on the third Thursday each month at the Lewis & Clark Boathouse, 5:30PM.

SMPS dues are $25 per year; due each January. Jean Dryden, Glass Workbench, is SMPS Treasurer... or pay with PayPal on the website. Go here >>

SMPS meeting minutes are online >>

SUPPORT THE WORK
OF SMPS

Dues are $25 per year, due in January.

Use this convenient PayPal button to pay with your credit card. You do not need a PayPal account to use PayPal; look for the link on the PayPal page that says: Don't have a PayPal account?

Member Name

You may also pay dues to Treasurer, Jean Dryden at the Glass Workbench.

PROMOTION HANDOUTS

Just let us know if you need additional handouts of the following... email Holly at ido@gardenwedding.com:

Rendezvous in St.Charles /
Preservation Journal postcard:

WEBSITE
RENDEZVOUS IN ST. CHARLES

Market your business and Main Street. Click here to sign up online >>

Or, contact:

Karen Satterfield:
kdsatterfield@sbcglobal.net
Sharlotte Worthington:
worthton@sbcglobal.net
Holly Haddox:
ido@gardenwedding.com
Cindy Wood:
cwoodcobblestone@yahoo.com

OLD TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

The Old Town Neighborhood Association is a St. Charles Ward 2 organization. Monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month. See Old Town news and information on the Old Town website >>