"Old Slave Road" Will Remain the Name of Wildwood Street

The city council failed to take up the request by a property owner who had requested that the name of the private road be changed.

The normally mundane task of petitioning a city for the change of a street name that transformed into a divisive debate over history and race in the city of Wildwood has come to a conclusion. A petition to change Old Slave Road to Elijah Madison Lane failed to gain traction at a Wildwood City Council Monday when a motion to begin the process did not received a second. The lack of action formed the end, for now, of a long-running saga that began last fall when a property owner and resident on the private street, Karen Fox, petitioned for the change, originally asking it be renamed Spiceberry Lane. Fox told the council Monday night that the current name is “offensive” and the requested alteration will still reflect the area’s history. She …

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Conservation Department Now Allowing Pets in Rockwoods Reservation Area

Officials say the change, implemented a few months ago, was made in response to popular demand, but not all park visitors are pleased with the move.

Visitors to the Rockwoods Reservation Area in Wildwood may have noticed a new animal cropping on the area’s trails, but it’s not migrating wildlife or an invasive new species. Conservation officials say a recent change in the area’s rules allowing dogs and other pets into the park for the first time is enjoying broad popular support but some residents are concerned about its impact on the native wildlife. The change actually took place about four months ago after being approved by the ruling body of the Missouri Department of Conservation, which maintains the nature area. District Forester Gus Raeker said the Conservation Commission’s rescinding of the pet ban came by way of popular demand. “For years now, the biggest suggestion we have …

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Frank Johnson

8:36 am on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Patty, here's his answer: "Horses are not allowed at Rockwoods Reservation. However, they are allowed on designated trails on the adjacent Greensfelder County Park (located on Allenton Road) and Rockwoods Range (located on Fox Creek Road). Greensfelder County Park adjoins Rockwoods Reservation to the south, and Rockwoods Range adjoins Greensfelder to the south."   more ›

MoDOT: Drivers Slow Down for Striping Crews

The Missouri Department of Transportation reports the St. Louis Work zones for May 9-15.

MoDOT's maintenance crews are continuing to work daily on touching up striping on state roads around the region. Drivers should be aware of slow moving maintenance operations on roadways as crews continue to work on putting on a new coat of paint.  When drivers see a MoDOT vehicle with flashing lights, they should remember to slow down or move over to avoid the work ahead.  Often three or more maintenance vehicles will be spaced out over some distance to complete maintenance work. In St. Louis County, blasting operations on southbound I-270 near Big Bend is scheduled weekdays at 1 p.m., and will continue weekly, weather permitting. Both directions of Interstate 270 will have a rolling closure and potential stopped traffic for approximately…

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Eureka Alderman: Fire District Deserves Praise for Reducing Permit Fees

Alderman Dale Hicks said the fire district is helping promote economic growth after it recently slashed what it charges for a commercial building permit

New Residential, Commerical Development Proposed Near Eureka

A public hearing on the Rockwood Meadows project is scheduled for a May 28 Jefferson County Council meeting.

New Residential, Commerical Development Proposed Near Eureka

A public hearing on the Rockwood Meadows project is scheduled for a May 28 Jefferson County Council meeting.

A proposal to build a new subdivision just south of Eureka that will feature an apartment complex and an assortment of commercial stores is up for approval in Jefferson County. Called Rockwood Meadows, the development covers around 60 acres just to the northeast of the Missouri Route W and Route 109 intersection. According to planning documents, it would have 21 16-unit apartment buildings along with six commercial lots occupying 11 acres on the front end. The proposal has received a positive recommendation from the county’s planning and zoning commission and the Jefferson County Council will hold a public hearing on the development at their May 28 meeting. The property is currently vacant land and backs up to the banks of the Meramec …

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Slavik Family Tract Focus for Development Debate in Wildwood

The 50-acre parcel of land would lose its commercial land use designation under the city's revamped Town Center Plan, a move championed by some and opposed by others.

The future of Wildwood’s commercial development and the viability of its revamped Town Center Plan is once again the focus of debate over the fate of a large, undeveloped piece of land near the city’s center. At a recent city council meeting, an argument emerged over a 4-2 recommendation from the city’s Planning/Economic Development/Parks Committee to keep a change in land use that would discourage large-scale commercial development at the 50-acre parcel known as the “Slavik Family Tract.” The Slavik property is one of four that were set aside to be dealt with individually after they proved to be a hurdle in passing an update to the city's comprehnsive zoning plan.  Proponents of the change included Mayor Tim Woerther and Council Member …

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Wildwood Looking to Shield Greenway Trail from Highway 100 Traffic

The city has approved a contract with an engineer firm for the design of steel-backed timber guardrails along portions of the pedestrian pathway that run within 10 feet of the busy highway.

Joggers and bikers on Wildwood’s Greenway Trail may have noticed that there are portions of the asphalt pathway that run a little close to the vehicles zipping by on Highway 100. In an effort to help protect those who use it, the Wildwood City Council is planning to install a steel-backed timber guardrail along these portions of the trail, specifically the areas that are within 10 feet of the highway. Last Monday, the council approved the first reading of a contract with Alta Planning + Design to come up with a design for the project, which can then be bid out to other contractors. Public Works Director Ryan Thomas outlined the project to the council, explaining that the 80 percent of the $29,000 cost of the design work will be covered by …

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Frank Johnson

9:10 am on Monday, April 29, 2013

Thanks for the answer, Mayor Woerther!   more ›