Community Corner

Loop Trolley Company Director Steps Down

Robert Archibald, president of the Missouri History Museum, said he didn't want to adversely affect the project.

Robert Archibald, the president of the Missouri History Museum, resigned from his post as president of the Loop Trolley Company Board of Directors Monday. In his resignation letter Archibald said he wanted to focus on his work at the museum.

Archibald has been under fire in recent weeks for a 2006 land purchase the History Museum made in 2006 from former St. Louis Mayor Freeman Bosley Jr. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Archibald will continue in his role at the museum.

The History Museum rescinded a $1 million pledge to the Loop Trolley project at the end of the September after the land deal was made public. 

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“As you know, the Missouri History Museum is undergoing close public scrutiny at the moment, and my full attention is needed here,” Archibald said in his letter. “In addition, I do not want the negative coverage that the museum is facing to adversely affect the Loop Trolley project.”

The Loop Trolley will be a 2.2-mile fixed track trolley line from the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park to the University City Public Library. Since its inception, the ultimate goal of the Loop Trolley project is economic development and improved livability along Delmar east of Skinker and along DeBaliviere.

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The double track line through University City goes to single track at Kingsland and will stub in front of the library.

Voters in University City and St. Louis approved the creation of the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District (TDD) in 2007. The TDD is responsible for building the loop trolley system and setting up operations. Businesses in a defined geographic area along the route pay 1 percent sales tax to support the TDD.

The TDD Board consists of St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, University City Mayor Shelley Welsch, entrepreneur and Loop business owner Joe Edwards, and Metro President & CEO John Nations.

Annual operating costs are estimated to be about $1.3 million. The system will be revenue supported with $600,000 from fares, $500,000 from the TDD, and $200,000 from advertising and institutional subsidies.

The Loop Trolley is scheduled to open in mid-2014.

According to the The Loop Trolley Company's web site, the board of directors includes the following voting members: Vice President Don C. Musick, III, Musick Construction Company; Vice President J. Kim Tucci, Pasta House Company; Treasurer Ben Uchitelle, Attorney at Law; Secretary Joe Adams; Rachel Keller Brown, Pelopidas, LLC; Karl Grice, Grice Group Architects; Lesley Hoffarth, Forest Park Forever; Maggie Hales, CityArchRiver 2015 Foundation; Sandra Moore, Urban Strategies; Nancy Rice, Pelopidas LLC; David Schmid, Regions Trust Company; Tom Schmittdiel, Rafco Properties and Development; Tom Sehr; Les Sterman, Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District; David Wakeman, AmerenUE; and Rose Windmiller, Washington University

Non-voting members include Jerry Blair, East-West Gateway Council of Governments; Kimberly Cella, Citizens for Modern Transit; Joe Edwards, Blueberry Hill; Steve Gregali, City of St. Louis; Thomas Shrout, Avvantt Partners LLC; and Susan Trautman, Great Rivers Greenway.

Read our previous coverage of the Loop Trolley:

  • Loop Trolley Receives $25 Million Federal Grant
  • Loop Trolley Hearing Allows Citizens to Comment
  • Lindell Residents Upset with Loop Trolley Plans
  • Residents Voice Concerns With Changes to Loop Trolley Plans
  • Packed House Turns Out for Loop Trolley Information
  • An Update on the Loop Trolley From the Mayor
  • City Council to Weigh Loop Trolley Action
  • City Releases Loop Trolley Q and A
  • Part 2: Loop Trolley Q and A
  • Part 3: Loop Trolley Q and A
  • Part 4: Loop Trolley Q and A


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