Return to archives page, or What's New page, or
"I cant' see across the street at night." Says one senior resident of Swan Avenue.
Many other area residents agree that poor neighborhood lighting leaves them feeling vulnerable at
night. And inadequate street lighting was a major concern identified by residents who completed
the recent Safety and Housing Survey delivered to each household in Forest Park SoutheastSeventeenth Ward Alderman Joe Roddy acted on resident concerns, pledging a portion of the ward's public improvement dollars (matching city funds to the HUD grant received by Washington University for the revitalization of FPSE) to repair sidewalks and plant street trees along Manchester Road. After careful review of resident concerns and consultant opinions (paid for by Washington University's match to the HUD grant), he agreed to redirect the public improvement funds to increase the wattage of streetlights throughout the neighborhood.
Though sidewalk and landscaping improvements will be considered as a future project, Roddy agreed the safety issues related to the current lighting situation provided a more immediate need for the use of the funds. He is pleased that the lighting project will benefit the entire neighborhood.
Gene Kilgen of WUMC Redevelopment Corporation researched the viability and costs involved in increasing the lighting, and he presented his findings at the Public Improvement Subcommittee Meeting of the Community Advisory Group. After review and unanimous approval, the subcommittee passed its recommendation to go forward with the lighting project on to the Community Advisory Group, where it was overwhelmingly approved.
The St. Louis City Street Department will complete the project at an estimated cost of $52,000. Fixtures and lamps will be increased as follows:
Fourteen 150-watt lights may be increased to 400 watts at a later time. The current project is expected to be completed in early 1997.
Return to archives page, or What's New page, or