Several decades ago, a transformation began along Delmar Boulevard in University City, turning it into the destination it is today. More recently, it has happened along Manchester Road in Maplewood and Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis.
Elsewhere in the country, cities are looking for ways to revitalize their streets, said Les Sterman, executive director of East-West Gateway. His staff began talking about ways to use their resources to make areas more healthy.
“We had a lot of potential for creating much better places for people, and we weren’t utilizing that,” Sterman said. “Many of our communities are struggling economically. They got overwhelmed by the ‘big box’ era. Now people are asking for something different. They’re asking for a place to walk.”
Earlier this month, consultants with the engineering firm CH2M HILL met with about 25Normandy officials, business and property owners along Natural Bridge to show them design concepts that could work on their road. Currently, the street is a hodgepodge of stand-alone small businesses, parking lots, thrift shops, a convent and fast food joints. The tower at the entrance to Pasadena Hills serves as a landmark monument. Normandy officials are looking into selling City Hall so its property can be developed. A MetroLink station is a few hundred yards away.
Concepts for the street include narrowing Natural Bridge by two lanes and creating a pedestrian parkway on one side. Extended sidewalks on either side could support trees and public art.
“There’s a way we can move traffic that’s in much better harmony with Natural Bridge and the environment,” Tim Page, a transportation planner with CH2M HILL, told the group.
