St. Louis County
Intelligent transportation planning
The western half of the new I-64 looks amazing and was finished ahead of schedule. Now the county is looking for nearly $2 billion from the federal government by way of President-elect Obama’s proposed stimulus package. This money could help fund some other much-needed infrastructure projects, such as the completion of Highway 141. An infusion of cash would also be a great help to Metro, who has been forced to cancel all bus service west of I-270 beginning in March due to a budget shortfall.
Television
Make the switch
Go ahead and transition to digital signal already. We get it. We are educated. Get on with it. Those “Snuggy” blanket-with-sleeves commercials sure will look sharp in digital.
Wildwood
Planning & Zoning resolutions
Since its inception, nothing has gotten built in Wildwood without a struggle. Now the city has two major projects on the drawing board that will serve as bellwethers for the future. Plans for a new Target in Town Center are once again under consideration and Hidden Valley owner Tim Boyd has submitted a revised plan to the city for building some 80 attached dwellings on the ski resort property. Both developments fall well outside of the city’s master plan. So far, the city seems amenable to these new projects and ideas, but does this open the development floodgates in our favorite planned city?
Small Business
Return to basics
The customer is now and always has been king. When everybody is dropping prices, customer service becomes the great equalizer. Return phone calls faster. Shake more hands. Say thank you to everybody. Don’t just want more business, earn more business.
Big Business
Remember how to be small
2009 will favor the swift and innovative, two traits generally found more often in small business than big. Big business will have to adjust to the world around them more quickly than ever this year, because no one wants to hear the phrase “too big to fail” anymore.
Chesterfield
Time for transition
Chesterfield has everything going for it: Phenomenal demographics, increasing population, wildly successful retail center, low crime, high employment, solid commercial and residential development. 2009 is the year for this city to decide to be great. It is time for this city to choose to create the highest standard of living anywhere in the United States. Invest in the perks great cities have like parks and the arts. Be wildly supportive of the small businesses that help craft your identity. In 2009, Chesterfield can become he shining city on the hill.
The Big Three
A new message
Ford, Chrysler and GM didn’t lose the product development war, they lost the marketing war. “Buy American” stopped working when Nissan and Toyota opened factories in Alabama and Tennessee. American car companies were left without a message. They can earn back their relevance by synchronizing their message and their product. The solution to the Big Three’s problems will not come from one product that a million people buy. The solution will come when they launch 100 new products that ten thousand people each absolutely must have.
Manchester Road
Act your age
Manchester Road, once the thriving center of West County retail, has taken a backseat to new and shiny Chesterfield Valley. Several developments along the thoroughfare have tried to make the old seem new again. A better idea is to celebrate the road’s unique qualities, to let the road be old. Let the big-box stores move to the Valley and replace them with ten new small retailers. Make Manchester Road charming and leave the uber-volume business to somebody else.
The Economy
Loosen up
The current recession is being driven by an overall feeling of tightness. Traditional lenders have tightened up, credit card companies have tightened up, so families and individuals have tightened up. Everybody seriously needs to loosen up. If lenders start to loosen up, and businesses start to loosen up, then shoppers will start to loosen up. Consumer confidence is not a myth, it is a necessity.
St. Charles County
A new identity
For thirty years, St. Charles County’s identity has been summed up in one word: Growth. As a result of that identity, the county relies way too heavily on retail sales tax and the construction industry. Now that growth is done. With over sixty percent of the county’s revenue generated by retail sales and more than ten percent of the population employed in the construction trade, the current economic difficulties threaten to hit St. Charles County harder than neighboring areas. County leaders would be wise to follow the lead of the Economic Development Council and work to create sustainable, new economy jobs. The county’s new identity should be that of the technological corridor for Missouri.
O’Fallon
Peace for the police
2009 opens with another odd exit for an O’Fallon Police Chief. Jerry Schulte, a 34-year veteran of the department, abruptly resigned last week and there are allegations that Schulte chose this action in lieu of being fired. Schulte took over as chief in 2005 following the controversial firing of then-chief Steve Talbot. O’Fallon has enjoyed a run of great press over the last few years, recently being named one of America’s “Safest Cities” and “Best Places to Live.” The responsibility for smoothing out the rough edges within the police department falls squarely on the shoulders of City Administrator Bob Lowery, who has a wealth of experience in this area. Lowery can either choose to use that experience to fix the squeaky-wheel department, or he can choose to be too heavy-handed and really gum up the works.
St. Peters
Tenants for Premier 370
Just when it seems that Premier 370 has cleared its last hurdle, the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance returns with more lawsuits. Unfortunately, the real hurdle for St. Peters’ controversial development is a lack of signed tenants. Dayton Freight is building a 30,000 square-foot facility in Premier 370, but as it stands right now they are only confirmed tenant. The 75 jobs Dayton brings with them are a great start, but it is now time for the city and its development partners to get aggressive about bringing in some new economy employers who can help change the game in St. Peters favor.
Wine Country
Become a destination
Everyone is supportive of making Augusta/ Defiance wine country a true tourist destination in 2009. The St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau has made this a priority, and they are putting their money where their priorities are. The CVB and the county will get people to try out the area this year, but it will be up to the shops and wineries themselves to keep people coming back. It should be easier to navigate the area, with better signage and safer roads. There should be a focus on maintaining a diverse group of shops and the wineries need to ensure that their interior charm matches the glorious external views.
