Politics & Government
'Great Streets' Branding Likely Moving Forward, Despite Wildwood Vote
Some in Wildwood are balking against paying for a market research project, saying they don't want that city's money to pay to fix problems in Ballwin and Ellisville.
An attempt to rebrand a stretch of Manchester Road encompassing the cities of Ballwin, Ellisville and Wildwood is likely to continue moving forward according to one proponent of the effort, despite a vote from Wildwood City Council last week against putting up that city's share of funds for the project.
A steering committee for the so-called "Great Streets" initiative consisting of mayors, city administrators and others was set to meet Monday, according to Ellisville City Councilman Matt Pirrello.
Last week, as Patch reported, a majority of the Wildwood council voted against paying $27,000 for a brand research firm to develop a Manchester Road marketing concept. Ellisville and Ballwin have both endorsed the measure.
“I think Wildwood is the polar opposite of Ellisville and Ballwin,”said Wildwood council member David Geile. “We have our own unique brand right now.”
According to West Newsmagazine, other council members took their criticism a step further, with Councilwoman Tammy Shea saying Wildwood would be "paying to rectify Ballwin’s and Ellisville’s (development planning) mistakes over the last 25 years.”
Wildwood Mayor Tim Woerther, a proponent, said this won't be the last time his city council hears about the issue.
Pirrello told Patch he expects the branding effort, which is different than the road improvement projects laid out by the Great Streets initiative, to find a way to move forward even with Wildwood's vote.
Ballwin Mayor Tim Pogue could not be reached for comment.
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