“Think like a pedestrian.”
That quote is the gift that Steve Patterson gave me. I have been following Steve’s writing and commentary for years at UrbanReviewSTL. He changed the way I look at my surroundings. He was the most influential voice to get me into St. Louis city issues. And to an extent, gave me the curiosity/confidence to jump into the game of publicly writing and sharing explorations of St. Louis in my own capacity.
Others were inspiring early on as well, but they are no longer active in the blogging space. Ecology of Absence was a fascinating resource for several years in the early to mid-2000s. Michael Allen was the lead contributor, but I believe there were others. This site got me interested in Paul McKee’s massive property land banking in Central and North St. Louis. It was where I started to become politically aware of how St. Louis works. Sadly, that website is no more. By 2010, it was rolled into Preservation Research (source).
NextSTL was a force at one time. No longer. Things change and evolve.
But Steve has kept at it for over 16 years. I read Steve’s writing back in the early days and his analyses of good and bad urban design were enlightening. He rolled around on a Honda Metropolitan which I thought was cool as hell. I eventually got a scooter myself, the first of many. It was partly because of Steve. He influenced me from afar. As a Generation X person, I was skeptical of online “friends”. I didn’t trust it, and still have major reservations about it especially when people use aliases or “anonymous” handles.
But I really wanted to meet Steve, so I reached out and we met years ago.
Steve had a hemorrhagic stroke back in 2008. I visited him at his Downtown apartment to see how he was doing, met his husband and forged a friendship.
Awhile later, I asked Steve to meet me at Jefferson and Russell and talk about how to improve this intersection. The neighborhood I moved to at the time, Fox Park, is right at that intersection, just yards from McKinley School. My kids were going to attend this middle school and of course, they would walk to and from school every day.
I was terrified of them crossing Jefferson, it is a speedway like no other…well maybe Natural Bridge, Gravois, Hall Street, Riverview or Page can rival it. Point is, I wanted to get an opinion on this intersection and if anything could be done to increase the safety of pedestrians.
He gave me a full rundown of what could be done. We walked blocks of Jefferson, him pointing out the beauty, the things that work, and of course the mistakes and over-wideness of South Jefferson. I learned about curb bump outs, well placed pedestrian striping and crossing lights. I reached out to our alderman and asked if there was anything we could do.
Bump outs and traffic calming are long range goals for South Jefferson, but a crosswalk and crossing lights were attainable in the short term. The latter quickly happened, and I trained my kids how to defensively cross a street like Jefferson. They took it serious and listened. Thankfully, we had a combined nine years of middle school at McKinley with no incidents.
As a product of the suburbs (Belleville, IL), I wouldn’t have even considered pedestrian safety measures. Steve changed all that for me. I now “think like a pedestrian” whether walking, on my e-bike, scooter or in my car…I am constantly paying attention to my surroundings and thinking critically on what works and what doesn’t.
Steve continues to write on UrbanReviewSTL and has brought a valued perspective of urban design from someone in a chair. When I found out Steve was diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer, I knew I wanted to get together, catch up and see how he was doing.
I rode my bike up to Steve’s place in the Columbus Square Neighborhood. We went to Father Filipiak Park to allow for outdoor social distancing and safely talk about Steve’s prognosis, as well as some thoughts on blogging, St. Louis urbanism and activism, and plenty of other stuff.
Steve has talked publicly on his website about his stroke and more recently Stage IV cancer, treatment and progress. It was a joy to see him, and hear about his struggles first hand, in-person during a time when personal isolation is a reality.
I wanted to document part of our conversation to let people know how influential Steve has been on me personally, as well as his tremendous impact on taking St. Louis seriously from a critical urbanist perspective.
Steve’s been sharing his thoughts and observations for us all to benefit and learn from; and, hopefully carry the torch on improving the urban conversation and bringing better policy and design to fruition all over St. Louis. He’s been at it for over 16 years on UrbanReviewSTL.
That in itself is nothing short of inspiring.
So, I asked Steve several questions about his experiences and motivations over the years writing at UrbanReviewSTL.
What were some of your favorite posts or topics covered on UrbanReviewSTL?
He couldn’t pinpoint it to one post or topic, he’s had over 5,000 posts. Favorites evolved over the years.
His favorite posts are the ones that have stuck in the reader's minds.
He enjoyed the posts where he attempted to illustrate his vision for an area or project. An example would be ideas for various modern streetcar lines and infill along the way. He recalls a post or two on south Broadway suggesting new urban buildings between Meramec and Osceola.
What are some positive changes you’ve seen in St. Louis since you moved here?
People telling him they look at things differently than before. There is now a growing community of concerned citizens that are aware, watching and advocating for better design. People are noticing things like curb ramps and curb cuts. They are looking beyond their needs to see the needs of others.
Newer developments are more likely to have an accessible route. Steve extensively wrote about Loughborough Commons; the city and developers listened and made some improvements to a largely suburban development.
North Riverfront is no longer a target for demolition. When the city was trying to keep the Rams there were plans to level the warehouses and factories for ANOTHER new stadium. Also, the 22nd Street interchange is disappearing for the new MLS stadium and practice fields; Steve was an early proponent for that location.
What should our top priorities be for the near future?
Removing long-standing inequalities and institutional racism.
Thinking beyond the 1876 boundaries, locally known as the “Great Divorce”, keeping St. Louis on an isolated path separate in every way from the 88 or so cities in the suburbs.
North County is experiencing what North St. Louis went through decades ago. We can’t abandon this much land. In poor/minority/high-crime neighborhoods, success is measured by the ability to escape, not stay and be part of a solution. Start with the kids to get them to see things differently.
Be wary of privatization which is short for wealthy entities extracting money from a public asset…from common good to a private piggy bank.
What is your advice to young urban activists?
Pretend the St. Louis city limits don’t exist. The inner-ring suburbs and major corridors need attention too. The 15 minute city ideas where you can access everything you need within a 15-minute walk or bike ride are very good, this will create vibrant clusters.
Everyone needs a seat at the table. A wealthy black CEO from suburbia isn’t diversity. Question everything, don’t accept the status quo just because that’s the way things have been.
Run for office.
Use the bus, at least for some trips. Think like a pedestrian.
Be less impressed with architect’s renderings, a bird's eye drawing doesn’t tell you how it will work at the sidewalk level.
Climate change is very real, and will increasingly influence everything. Someone who is 20 now will see it happen through the end of the 21st Century. Plant trees for shade and fruit.
How do you stay focused?
“I’m not focused!” He explains this as a side effect of the stroke. He write notes and keeps reminders. The regular schedule of posting keeps him on track and pressing.
Any regrets in your writing?
“No.”
Thanks for all you’ve done for St. Louis, Steve. I owe my love of St. Louis in part to you. Your kind yet critical influence always came from a place of sincerity and caring.
I respect Steve’s voice, opinions and recommendations almost across the board. I was a little surprised he didn’t have any glaring regrets over the last 16 years. I know I have many regrets and embarrassing statements made as I learn more or gain experience or sensitivities.
Steve is a good writer, has a strong conviction and learned instincts.
To have no regrets while writing publicly for 16 years is a great way to go through life.
* Banner photo credit: Steve Patterson
