Renaissance MAY 2024

2024 MAY Volume xLIX Issue 2 Soulard Renaissance Living with History THE From the Editors Page 2 The Soulard Stones: Part II Page 4 Soulard Gallery Art Review Page 7 Concert Series Page 9 The SoulardCommunity Improvement District and Soulard Special BusinessDis- trict are working on a variety of programs aimed to improve Soulard — including traffic calming, pedestrian safety efforts, parking awareness, safety programs, new lighting, park improvements, trash and litter pick-up, and beautification. The CIDboardmeets at 5 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Molly’s. The SSBD board meets at 6:30 p.m. the sec- ond Monday of each month at Molly’s. The meetings are open to the public and community feedback is welcome. Learn more at www.SoulardCID.org and www. Soular d-SBD.org. More Humps and a Parking Quiz A second round of speed humps have been approved by the Board of Alder- men. Sixty new humps will be installed throughout Soulard in the late summer or fall, in part funded by CID and SSBD. Please note that speed humps are not allowed on snow routes (which include both 12th Street and Russell Avenue). The CID and SSBD also are explor- ing ideas to increase awareness — and enforcement — of St. Louis City park- ing policies, including the painting (or repainting) of designated crosswalks and curbs. The goal is to increase pedestrian safety by making sure intersections, crosswalks and handicap-accessible curb cuts, as well as alleyway accesses and resident driveways, are unobstructed. Did you know? Parking is prohibited: • Within an intersection. • On a crosswalk. • Where the curb or edge of roadway is marked with yellow paint. • Within 10 feet of any United States Postal Service mailbox. • In any alley, except while loading and unloading materials not to exceed 15 minutes, provided 10 feet of the width is available for the free movement of vehicular traffic. CID/ SSBD study pedestrian safety, park improvements, less trash, more trees IMPROVING SOULARD By Beth Hoops • In front of a public or private driveway or within five feet of the rounding of a driveway, alley or private street. • Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. •Within 20 feet of a crosswalk, stop sign, yield sign or traffic control device. • Continuously upon any street, alley, roadway or driveway where parking is permitted for longer than five days. A Spin on Neighborhood Watch The SSBD is looking to pilot Awarenet, a new neighborhood crime disruption and deterrence effort that is based on a traditional neighborhood watch pro- gram. However, instead of residents go- ing out at night to watch for suspicious and criminal activity, Awarenet uses residential security cameras and private- duty police officers (Soulard already con- tracts with The City’s Finest). Officers patrolling the neighborhood will carry a tablet and review automated motion alerts from Awarenet security cameras. As a dedicated resource, the officer can immediately respond when they identify suspicious or criminal activity. Awarenet was first deployed in St. Lou- is Hills and is currently being tested in other city neighborhoods. Soulard’s pilot program will not be neighborhoodwide but rather will focus on a zone surround- ing Pontiac Park. Homes within the pilot zone will be contacted by SSBD via mail about participation. In the meantime, questions can be directed to Terry Hoff- man (treasurer@soulard-sbd.org ). Power to the Parks The CID and SSBD have installed new, brighter lights in Pontiac Park (16 lights) and Soulard Market Park (8 lights). The project used existing infrastructure, in- stalling historic-looking, LED-powered lanterns on current light poles. The CID also is working with the city to bring power to Pontiac Park. Electri- cal outlets, scheduled for installation this summer, will be helpful for beautifica- tion, neighborhood events and more. Trash Problems? We Have a Team for That! Trash cans and pet waste bag dispens- ers have been placed throughout Sou- lard, arming residents and visitors alike with the capacity to keep the area clean. Additionally, the CID has contracted with a trash service company to create the Soulard Clean Team, a two-person team tasked with picking up litter along neighborhood streets, sidewalks and al- leyways four days a week. This program is also supported by MGI, Sts. Peter & Paul Housing Corp., SBA and SRG. The CID also is funding supplemental bulk trash pick-up throughout Soulard. The city does bulk pick-up every second Monday of the month (which is when residents are instructed to discard large items). A private waste management contractor is now proactively scouring the neighborhood for discarded bulk items the first, third and fourth weeks of the month as well, helping to keep alley- ways clear. If trash has to be addressed in the neighborhood, residents can contact cleanstreets@soulardcid.org. Tree-Lined Streets In 2023, the CID board completed an audit of all empty tree wells within its district boundaries, documenting approximately 250. The CID has been Continued on Page 2 A traffic calming map proposed by the CID and SSBD.