WHAT’S HAPPENING ON GRAND?
by Anne Moore

We are nearing the completion of Phase One, of the “Grand Visions Redevelopment Project,” the improvement of South Grand from I-44 to Arsenal. Phase One entailed the removal of the old crumbling medians and the center light signal standards, resurfacing the street from I-44 to Arsenal, installing new light signal standards based on the side of the street and installing new fiber optic lines for synchronizing all the traffic signals from one end of Grand to the other. Everything is completed except the final synchronization and the repair of the sidewalks which were torn up to run the cables. Final completion on Phase One should be May 2000.

Phase Two encompasses the fund raising to replace the medians and landscape them, reconstruction of the sidewalks and traffic lanes to better accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic and beautification of the overall surrounding streetscape with improved plantings and pedestrian street lighting. Phase Two is well under way as St. Louis City was awarded a grant to cover these expenses through the federally funded Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) Enhancement Program. The grant was awarded on June 28th, 1999, for a total of $1,507,250 of which $1,205,800 is federal funds. St. Louis City will commit $301,350, their 20% match as required by the program. The Grand Visions Task Force, which initiated the TEA-21 grant application, will continue to raise additional funds to help further the project and insure the finished product is of the highest quality.

Phase Three, the planning for the construction of the new medians and streetscape, begins this month. Phase Three will take 15 months to complete as all governing organizations need to review and approve the plans. Phase Four, the actual construction of the project is scheduled to begin as soon as plans are approved. Construction and all plantings should take on year, putting out target finish date in the fall of 2002.

The Grand Visions Redevelopment Project is an ambitious undertaking vital to the continuing rejuvenation of all the neighborhoods which line this stretch of South Grand. The project began in March 1997 with the formation of the Grand Visions Task Force made up of representatives from the five neighborhoods, two business districts, two parks and numerous public and private organizations. Many individuals have contributed their time and money to get this far. Those of us already involved will continue to work hard to make sure the process proceeds. This is a wholly volunteer effort and we always need more help. If this project is important to you, get involved. We will be needing help with fund raising and publicity to keep this project on track. Some members of the task force need to rotate off and replacements will be needed. Please check with your neighborhood or business district board and see what you can offer to help the Grand Visions Redevelopment Project happen.