Malik L

Member since August 15, 2023

South City resident with an interest in sustainability, car-free transportation, and housing justice.

All input submitted by this participant

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Malik L11 months ago What is now a parking lot for the South City Schnucks (3430 South Grand) once included additional buildings along Gravois and Grand. However, there is no reason why this parking lot which is already underutilized should not be given back to the community for other uses.This location is essentially at the intersection of South Grand and Cherokee's commercial corridors. Furthermore, it is served by three bus routes including the most frequent and heavily used route: the 70 Grand. This makes it a prime area ripe for additional housing, businesses, community resources, and public greenspace. Therefore I propose the following: Public Greenspace - Build at least 0.75 acres of contiguous public green space between the Gravois Avenue entrance and Cherokee Street with rainscaping to mitigate impacts of flooding in the area. This greenspace could also be used to expand the tree canopy and reduce the heat island effect. Small Business and Community Resources - Build 1.25 acres of additional commercial space for 17+ small locally owned businesses, non-profits, and public resources along existing corridors of South Grand Blvd and Gravois Ave. Mixed-Income Housing - Construct 400-500 total housing units with a minimum of 50% affordable income-restricted housing units. Housing should be designed to incentivize transit usage. These may be built on top of existing or future commercial space. These should include ADA accessible units. I chose my house specifically for access to commercial districts, buses, and the grocery store, but a district as described above could help provide more accessible housing and resources to our area.

Malik L11 months ago We deserve urban public spaces without loud engines, pollution, and reckless driving. Cities abroad figured this out, and even other U.S. cities figured this out, but in St. Louis we only experience a taste of this during a few festivals such as Cinco de Mayo or Mardi Gras. Therefore, I propose that the city experiment with pilot programs to allow communities the opportunity to study the impact of more long-term street closures to car on the surrounding communities.This could require some of the following steps: Determine a list of prospective quarter-mile street segments for car-free street pilot programs in the following categories: a neighborhood commercial corridor, a residential area, and Downtown. All segments should be contiguous. All segments should also have direct bus or MetroLink access. Designate at least one per category to move forward with the support of the local community organizations. Implement a study before and during the pilot to gauge the environmental and social impacts of the pilot programs on each segment. Collaborate with community organizations to determine how to activate these spaces whether for food stalls, patios, performance space, mobile art galleries, or something else. Implement a pilot plan for 6 consecutive months and allow options to renew the program or make permanent changes after the pilot.

Malik L11 months ago Ameren and Spire are increasing utility rates while cost of living increases and wages stagnate. As a result, residents across the region are getting their power shut off. As a result of shutoffs, a women in St. Ann died from the heat. The monopolizing private businesses are leaching on our city because they know we have no other option. And apparently, it's not enough that they continue to squeeze money out of us. They also continue to pollute the air in our region and refuse to work toward the total abandonment of fossil fuels.I propose the city engages in a study of public, cooperative, and municipal ownership models for energy utilities and the feasibility in the St. Louis area. This may include studying the model of other Missouri city's such as Kirkwood or Springfield. Since the state has barriers for public utilities for larger cities, this could be set up as a "trigger" law. Perhaps, this would at least show these utility companies just how frustrated all of us residents are.Private utility companies should not be allowed to form a monopoly and squeeze residents dry. We need alternatives.

Malik L3 years ago A city-wide bike network should include protected bike lanes, cycle tracks, separate bike paths, and frequent bike racks safely connecting cycling commuters in the entire region to school, businesses, jobs, parks, and their homes.This would keep cyclists from being harmed from reckless drivers, and this would encourage more people including youth to choose a more sustainable alternative for travel.St. Louis is a city full of cyclists who have diverse backgrounds. We just need infrastructure that makes cycling safer and more viable for commuting.

Malik L11 months ago I call on the city to create a Department of Urban Agriculture to guide the creation of a thriving urban agricultural industry. After all, it was agriculture that helped the very first civilizations form and grow.Furthermore, our city has the space to accomplish this, we have excessive parking structures, open lawns, riverfront land, and vacant lots. We just need to determine whether the land is arable or could be made as such. I would also encourage the centering of native edible foods such as wild rice and pawpaw trees. This would require increasing education about these foodstuffs and this may require building alliances with indigenous groups with a historical connection to the land..This could be a solution to the inflating grocery prices, food deserts, and shrinking tax base of our city. The state and federal government are clearly going to continue their hostility toward us. They are unlikely to fully fund transit expansion, tornado relief, public schools, and SNAP benefits. Furthermore, large corporate agricultural industries are attempting to squeeze out local farmers. By building an industry based on urban agriculture, our city could rebuild our economy, create new jobs, and serve local needs. If successful, we could even export goods to our neighbors.A Department of Urban Agriculture should do the following:(1) Create a plan to expand the urban agricultural industry.(2) Designate whether land is arable or can be made arable easily.(3) Create grants for local farmers and farming cooperatives to settle and work in the city.(4) Facilitate educational programming and messaging to promote the overall mission.(5) Promote overall food independence and economic independence.

Malik L11 months ago As a part of my daily commute, I frequently walk along Cherokee Street near the South City Schnucks. During my walks, I hopscotch over litter, duck under overgrown plants, dodge bags of trash hanging from trees or fences, and hold my breath to avoid the unholy stench. While the house I own is on the opposite side of Gravois, many others use this route for their daily commute. Furthermore, residents along this block of Cherokee Street are forced to contend with these conditions at their front door.Therefore, I propose that the city collaborates with Schnucks, Rent-A-Center, and Metro St. Louis to improve the cleanliness and the maintenance of the 3500 block of Cherokee and the public sidewalks along their collective perimeters by doing the following:(1) Hire a street cleaning team for the initial upkeep of the general area to pick up litter, throw out trash, and trim overgrowth from public right-of-ways.(2) Place trash cans along Cherokee and Grand and Gravois, especially at the following bus stops: Gravois @ Cherokee West Bound,Cherokee @ Gravois East Bound, Grand @ Cherokee North Bound.(3) Place benches at bus stops and fix damaged bus stop signs.The neglect of this area begets even more neglect, so we need to invest in care.

Malik L11 months ago Communities should be built or bridged by the MetroLink. Not separated by towering parking garages and seas of parking lots around their stations.(1) Restrict private parking facility development within a quarter-mile of all MetroLink stations within the city boundaries.(2) Identify at least two MetroLink stations that could most feasibly undergo a transformation into an accessible community instead of parking infrastructure, and develop a plan for these.

Malik L11 months ago A Jefferson MetroLink station was proposed initially as a transfer station between the existing MetroLink and the proposed Green Line along Jefferson which is now on hold. However, a Jefferson MetroLink station would still be extremely beneficial to include with current infrastructure regardless of the status of the Green Line. For example, it could allow the entirety of Jefferson Ave to be served by a single bus while still providing a connection to the MetroLink. This would make riding the bus a lot more intuitive and quicker. After all, Jefferson is served primarily by the 11 Chippewa and 4 Natural Bridge bus routes which eventually stray from Jefferson to go to the Civic Center Transit Center along 14th Street.

Malik L3 years ago Highways contribute to noise pollution, prioritize unsustainable forms of transit over other options, and historically divided communities along racial lines.By removing highways from the downtown region, we could reduce the noise level, increase space for urban life, and promote sustainable transit.Other cities are currently working to remove highways from their downtown neighborhoods, and St. Louis should consider doing the same.Instead, these routes could be replaced with green spaces, bike ways, prospective metrolink paths, or in-fill development.If we want a healthy thriving downtown community, highway removal should be considered.

Malik L11 months ago

Malik L11 months ago Develop in-park Forest Park Senior Living facilities for long-time senior residents of low to moderate incomes atop the current parking lot reserved for the Visitor Center.This area is a prime location not only because it is quite literally in the park, but also because it has easy access to the Forest Park-DeBaliviere MetroLink Station.Seniors from working class backgrounds deserve to retire in peace, and the city should strive to provide seniors with some sort of perk for having stayed committed to our city. The wealthy should not be the only ones afforded the luxuries of life.

Malik L11 months ago Adopt a plan to add new city MetroLink stations to the existing MetroLink route such that there is at least one station within at least every 1/2 mile. In areas designed for more density such as Downtown or Downtown West, this should be increased to every 1/4 mile.These requirements would require the city to plan for at least 6-8 additional stations within the Central Corridor. Below are a few suggestions for potential stations.2-3 stations between Grand Station and Union Station. S Compton Ave S Ewing Ave Jefferson Ave 1 station between Cortex Station and Grand Station.S Vandeventer Ave1 station between Central West End Station and Cortex Station.S Newstead Ave2-3 stations between Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station and Central West End Station Lindell Blvd & Union Blvd Grand Dr in Forest Park Forest Park Pkwy & Kingshighway This proposal commits the city to a vision of where future stations should be added, how they should be prioritized, and the timeline for constructing them by 2050. Potential funding sources should be considered as well. For example, the city may need to create a transit expansion fund with a half-cent sales tax or parking benefit districts (see more from Parking Reform or the Federal Highway Administration).Stations developed within closer proximity to one another could help incentivize more development along the central corridor, ease access to job sites along the corridor (e.g., MilliporeSigma and Residence Inn in Midtown).

Malik L3 years ago Many notable cities around the world have public pedestrian plazas in their city centers that are busy with locals and tourists moving around on foot.4th Street connects key locations such as Busch Stadium, the Gateway Arch Park, the Old Courthouse, the Federal Reserve Bank (with the Economy Museum), and the Dome at America's Center.Those who visit or live in downtown deserve a safe way to get around to these key locations.As a resident on this street, I see and hear noisy street racers endangering cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers while disturbing the sleep of residents.By freeing 4th St from car traffic, it can become more welcoming and safe to others.

Malik L11 months ago Drunk driving endangers everyone. However, if we design our city such that establishments primarily serving alcohol are car-centric, how can we expect meaningful change on this issue? Therefore, I propose a few changes:(1) Areas along corridors with frequent public transit (at least 30 minute headways) should be the only areas where businesses seeking liquor licenses should be allowed.(2) Establishments serving alcohol as its primary product should be explicitly exempt from parking mandates.

Malik L3 years ago It seems clear that the Board of Aldermen overwhelmingly support a municipal endowment fund after hearing the Board of Aldermen Hearing on December 2.Therefore, I propose that the Board of Aldermen create a municipal endowment fund that specifically funds climate resilience, climate justice, and sustainable transit infrastructure. With this proposal, I urge the BOA to explicitly not invest funds in fossil fuels or any climate damaging industries.Climate resilience and climate justice will be increasingly important as our planet, region, and city continue to grow warmer and experience dangerous weather patterns. This could include switching city residents and businesses to solar energy. Or it could include adding native plants in underutilized lands (such as the many empty parks or lots Downtown) to increase flood resilience.Transit is also key to addressing climate issues by reducing reliance on gas and other natural resources required for personal vehicles (gas or electric) that further environmental damage or depend on the mass exploitated labor abroad. Transit is also essential for addressing the safety and convenience of bus (or Metrolink) riders, pedestrians and cyclists as well. This could include improving bus stops, safe bike infrastructure, street pedestrianization projects, and more.In our region, Black residents and immigrant residents are most likely to commute without a personal vehicle. Black residents are also most likely to face the consequences of climate change and environmental racism at its bluntest. If we hope to address equity, a climate and transit focused municipal endowment could help lead the way.Climate and transit issues are relevant across the entire city and region. Everyone needs to be mobile to access food, jobs, community resources, and healthcare. Mobility is a prerequisite to ensuring that all people regardless of socioeconomic status, age, or physical ability can engage in public life. And, obviously a livable climate is a prerequisite to life at all.It is essential that our city commits itself specifically to climate and transit issues equitably if we hope to build a city that actually serves all communities in need regardless of neighborhood and continues to serve those who will inherit our city in the future.

Malik L3 years ago Busch Stadium is a highlight of the St. Louis Metro Region which deserves a public park filled with trees and other local greenery for families to enjoy before or after baseball games and other events.This would add more greenspace downtown, and it would help address the heat related issues downtown while improving the overall mental and physical health of downtown residents.This park could also include sculptures from local artists since art should be an integral part of our downtown.This park should replace the extensive parking lots southwest of the stadium. After all, the stadium is already well-served by the MetroLink, various buses and existing parking garages in other parts of downtown.This idea is greatly inspired by the proposal to promote climate resilience within the city overall.

Malik L

All input submitted by this participant

Develop a Mixed-Use District around the South City Schnucks

Car-Free Street Pilot Programs

Municipal Utility Trigger Law

St. Louis Bike Network

Create a Department of Urban Agriculture

Cleaning and Maintenance Plan for 3500 Block of Cherokee

Build Housing—Not Parking—By MetroLink Stations

Build a Jefferson MetroLink Station

Downtown Highway Removal

St. Louis Secession Referendum

Forest Park Income-Based Senior Living Facility

Adopt a Plan to Expand MetroLink Stations by 2050

Pedestrianize 4th Street

Zoning Updates for Bars and Other Alcohol-based Establishments

Municipal Climate and Transit Endowment

Build a Public Park by Busch Stadium