Two Years, Two Cities, One Vision

On Monday, October 17th at 7pm, a joint session of the City Councils of University City and Olivette will be held in Centennial Commons. The councils are coming together, in this unprecedented fashion, to hear a presentation of the final report of the I-170/Olive Joint Redevelopment Task Force.

A bit of background.

About two years ago, the former City Council under Mayor Joe Adams came to an agreement with the City Council of neighboring Olivette to set up the I-170-Olive Joint Redevelopment Task Force.  Never before had these two cities made such a commitment. The City Councils agreed that a representative from each Council; residents from each community; and staff from each city would meet to figure out how to move forward, together, to encourage development around the I-170/Olive interchange.

This is no easy feat.

Although this is, in fact, one interchange, for developers the area is anything but “one”.  In the past, coming into our region with a development idea that spanned the highway, a developer was faced with dealing with two sets of zoning codes; two sets of building codes; two permitting processes; two staffs; and perhaps two different visions for what should be done in the area.  Not very enticing for people who could choose to work anywhere in the St. Louis region (and the country.)

This task force was charged with figuring out if it was a good idea for U City and Olivette to work together; to determine if a shared vision for the region exists; and coming up with steps on how to move from this idea to a true partnership.

The task force is now ready to present all of its findings to the City Councils of both cities. The Councils have already approved, separately, a joint development overlay district which spans the highway, and which limited what development could occur in the area while the final work was being completed.  On Monday, Councilmembers will be presented with suggestions for what should be done next.  It will be up to each City Council, separately, to vote to proceed as suggested.

If the Councils agree to move forward, developers won’t be faced with two cities, but one entity with a foot in two communities.

Five members of the current Council were on the City Council when this joint task force was established. I hope they all are able to attend this meeting to hear the fruits of their vision of two years ago.  I have been working on the task force since my election – and I am anxious to see how they, and the members of the Olivette City Council, react to this final report – completed after many, many meetings and hours of discussion.

In a county divided by so many municipal boundaries, I am proud that U City has joined with Olivette in an effort to erase at least one of those lines.   This effort can and should serve as a model for others in our region, and around the country, on what can be done with the support of two cities, sharing one vision.

I hope you will plan to attend this joint Council session.

Monday, October 17th

7pm

Centennial Commons

I hope to see you there.

Mayor Shelley Welsch