By Antonio D. French
Filed Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 1:50 PM
Regional leaders, current and former elected officials, and a wide assortment of other early birds attended an 8:30 A.M. breakfast this morning and the St. Louis Zoo in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the innovative River Ring plan.
Developed by the Great Rivers Greenway District, the region-wide system of 600 miles of greenways, parks and trails covers an expanse of more than 1,200 square miles.
KMOX host Charlie Brennan emceed this morning's event and introduced Mayor Francis Slay, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley and St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, who each spoke briefly.
The morning's featured speaker, respected Senator John Danforth, praised The River Ring plan as a model for other cities to follow. He said getting this project done was a break from the all too familiar obstructionism that St. Louis is known for.
"The positive approach — making things happen isn't easy," said Danforth. "Blocking things is easy."
The former Republican senator and U.N. Ambassodor singled out St. Louis City's mayor for his role in rebuilding the region. He praised Slay as "one of the city's greatest mayors."
"Let's not be satisfied with the status quo," said Danforth. "Let's not be satisfied with a riverfront that looks like something the cat dragged in."
10 Comments:
Specifically the Dr. Martin Luther King "greenway:"
Dr. King Greenway will begin at Fairground Park in north St. Louis and continue through The Ville to near Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. It will follow that corridor through St. Louis City. In Wellston, the greenway will join St. Vincent’s Greenway.
Phase II of the greenway, a connector to the Mississippi Greenway, will be planned
later.
Dr. King Greenway represents a bold reinvestment in the future of northwest St Louis City and its adjoining inner suburbs.
Our existing parks have not stabilized the North Side and Wellston. Why will this be different?
5/08/2007 3:16 PM
If you live in the far out 'burbs you will be served. What does Slay have to do with that?
5/09/2007 9:28 AM
I have never been all that satisfied with the sanctinoniousness of danforth.
5/09/2007 12:29 PM
Flyover, drive-through, ride around, who cares? Just as long as everyone can avoid the city!
5/09/2007 4:53 PM
Actually, the City is being served see link below. Slay has had and continues to have something to do with that.
http://greatrivers.info/Projects/CurrentProjectsMap.aspx
5/09/2007 5:15 PM
Didn't anyone notice the photo of the Zoo sign cropped to look like a "No" monument? Come on guys, I was pretty proud of that.
5/09/2007 5:39 PM
Now I begin to understand the "perspective" of the Special Advisory Committee on St. Louis Public Schools. Danforth had apparently already made up his mind that Mayor Slay's opinion was all that really mattered, and of course, Mayor Slay wanted a state takeover. I would have credited Danforth with more wisdom and circumspection about such an important issue as the future of St. Louis children.
5/09/2007 10:29 PM
You're actually thinking of a different Danforth. This event featured the former U.S. Senator, John Danforth. The Special Advisory Committee featured former Wash U Chancellor Dr. William Danforth. They're brothers.
5/09/2007 10:38 PM
Yes, I noticed the "NO", but then my wife & I like going to the St. Louis Noo. When I first saw that thing 27 years ago, that's how I read it and it took me a minute to get what it really meant. We still say "Wanna go to the Noo?" I guess it takes a certain kind of mind.
I don't know what to think of projects like this. Sometimes I think "We've got bigger fish to fry." Sometimes I think "May as well fry the fish that'll fit in the pan." But it sure looks like consulting companies are making out pretty well on the deal.
But Doug's right — it won't stabilize anything except maybe the bank accounts of some land owners who'll sell property for the project that they couldn't have given away. Maybe that's an angle...
t
5/10/2007 12:27 AM
Thanks for the correction, AF. It's hard to keep the power players straight these days. Especially when they're all "family".
5/11/2007 7:34 AM
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