Residents Voice Concerns With Changes to Loop Trolley Plans
Several U City residents brought their concerns to the University City City Council Monday.
Photos
Ahead of Wednesday's informational meeting on the Loop Trolley, University City residents questioned University City City Council members about the city's involvement—or lack there of—with the project.
Several residents questioned the council on changes to the project since it was originally proposed and whether stakeholders—namely residents—would have an opportunity to be heard.
Jan Scott told the council she attended meetings over the years and still wasn't sure "how a bus on wheels evolved into a multi-million dollar project."
Scott also asked who gave permission for the trolley to go from a hybrid vehicle on wheels to a wired car on tracks.
"Who is allowing them to lay down track?" she asked.
St. Louis County had announced that it would give maintainance of Delmar Blvd. back to University City. Residents asked if the County was allowed to 'give back' the road and when and how that transfer would take place.
"In my conversations with (County Executive) Charlie Dooley, he never said they wanted to give back the road because of the trolley," Mayor Shelley Welsch said. "He just said he wanted the issue settled before the trolley went in."
Director of Public Works Rich Wilson told the crowd that if the County retained control over Delmar, decision about the street would stay with County. If Delmar becomes a University City street again, all decisions on the trolley and its impact on the road would have to go through the city's traffic commission, green practices commission and other applicable city departments.
Several residents were concerned with the move to an overhead wire system as well as the distraction that comes from a trolley traveling on the same street with other motor vehicle traffic.
Council members noted the trolley project has evolved over many years, through many administrations and councils. City Manager Lehman Walker was asked to compile a council history of what the city council had approved and agreed to over the years.
Welsch said she believed the city had put out funds for an initial feasibility study, but was not financially obligated beyond that.
"We made no committment to the operation and maintainance of the trolley," she said. "This is supposed to be run by private donations, taxes and fares."
Council Member Paulette Carr encouraged residents to attend informational meetings and speak up.
"Go to the meeting," she said. "See the plan as it is proposed today. Raise your voice."
There will be a public information meeting on the Loop Trolley at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at the University City Public Library in the auditorium. A detailed presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Construction on the Loop Trolley system is slated to begin in late fall, with a 2013 completion date.
The Route
The Loop Trolley route is a 2.2 mile fixed-rail trolley line along Delmar Blvd and DeBaliviere Avenue, extending from the Delmar/Trinity Ave. intersection to the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park.
The trolley itself will be a a restored trolley or replica heritage trolley that will operat on an Overhead Contact System (OCS). The OCS will use a single wire connected to light poles to run the trolley at speeds between 15-25 miles per hour.
You might be interested in these other Loop Trolley stories:
Craig Brown
7:51 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Has anyone here ever driven on Delmar? How in the world will this NOT create a virtual parking lot on a road that already has significant congestion many hours of many days each week?
Now, if Delmar was converted into a walking mall, that makes sense. Reroute traffic North of the loop and the parking lot. That could be great. Now, many of the current business would fail and need to be replaced because of the traffic being on by foot but it could create the most unique entertainment district in the region. Festivles, concerts, fairs. Could be cool!
Earl Higgins
8:03 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
I like this idea! I have long felt that closing Delmar to noisy automobile traffic, at least part-time, would really create a unique experience for visitors and residents alike! How about it Mayor Shelley Welsch, proclaim the first Sunday in June, July, August, and September to be "Carbon Free Days" in the Delmar Loop. Open the street itself to food vendors and Loop restaurants. It's a step towards liberating people from the thought that automobiles rule everything!
Dave Olander
11:35 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Craig, "most unique" is a meaningless phrase.
Earl Higgins
11:08 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
... and yet somehow, we were able to get the point. All kidding aside, is that really all you have to say Dave? A technically correct (though pedantic) grammar critique? Don't you want to say anything about his post?
Craig Brown
10:47 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Look at Boulder and Denver Colorado. Baltimore Maryland, Boston Mass. They've all converted major streets into highly successfully walking malls.
Warren Stevens
10:57 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
How many public meetings and published studies do you have to have before this/these people are happy? Pay attention - and don't criticize at the last minute as an attention grab. The idea has been propagated for years and after attending one of the meetings I am glad it is finally getting of the ground. They have all the funding and groundswell of business and public support. I am impressed by the years of planning and transparency of the project to date and hope my family and I will enjoy the same benefits of this trolley system just as other US and European cities have. St Louis deserves it!
Craig Brown
11:17 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Warren- your characterization of my comments is uncalled for, sir. Sorry I have a life of my own and I'm not glued to this dis functional cities musing on a daily basis. The idea of a trolly sharing the road with the constant backup of traffic seemed assassin to me. Have you ever drive Delmar? Great, one more reason for the people from West county to avoid our only viable commercial district. Who the hell wants to ride a trolly down Delmar? From where to where? To Forest Park? Who walks the park and the Loop in the same trip? Theyre totally seperate types of activities. Glad I'm moving out of this town to a place I can send my kids to school and walk the streets safely at night. Warren, enjoy your new parking lot call the Loop!
Holston Black Jr.
8:28 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012
I have suggested for many years that we build a bridge/viaduct over the LOOP,to encourage foot traffic, kiosks, restaurants and varieties of entertainment beneath it. As some have suggested more can be done to improve rather than slow. Atlanta's underground is a great example to try and attain, we can have trolley and autos run over the Loop!!! After all see what happened to the London Bridge.
elizabeth ann cohen
1:31 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I attended the meeting at the Library but noone asked about the cost of maintaining Delmar when we would have to take over the expense. Does someone have an approximation or answer??
Elizabeth Cohen