Newsletter - Maryland Heights

Newsletter
April 2009
Hwy. 141 Project on Track to Receive
Funds from Federal Stimulus Package
After more than 20 years of regional
efforts to upgrade Highway 141 into a
new “outer belt,” the project has received
a tentative green light thanks to the
American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act recently passed by Congress.
St. Louis County plans to use $20 million in federal stimulus funds to extend
the Maryland Heights Expressway south
to Olive Boulevard, where it would
connect with Highway 141. The project
would also widen to four lanes the existing expressway north of Page Avenue to
River Valley Drive.
St. Louis County would contribute
$30 million, and the cities of Maryland
Heights and Chesterfield would each
chip in $5 million additional dollars
needed to fund the road.
In tandem with the county project, the
Missouri Department of Transportation
has appropriated $65 million in stimulus
money for moving Highway 141 north
of Ladue Road to the east and widening
it to four lanes from two.
Once completed, the projects would create a seamless connector stretching from
Hazelwood south to Arnold, improving
accessibility and providing infrastructure to support economic development
in western St. Louis County, including
the Howard Bend Development Area in
Maryland Heights.
The project would improve
accessibility and provide
infrastructure to support
economic development.
“A completed Hwy. 141 will significantly
alleviate traffic congestion on other
major thoroughfares, especially I-270,
which will improve quality of life for
commuters around the county,” Mayor
See STIMULUS, page 6
Where Life is Celebrated!
road improvement
projects get rolling
Residents and commuters around the
city may have noticed several major
road improvement projects getting
underway in recent weeks.
In the Westport business area, utility relocation for the Weldon Parkway
project is nearly complete, with installation of a new storm sewer system to follow. Once contractor J.M. Marschuetz
begins work—most likely by the beginning of April—Weldon Parkway will
be restricted to southbound traffic from
Fee Fee Road to Westline Industrial
Drive. Once completed, the road will
be widened from the current 26 feet
to 39 feet, with a new center turning
lane and sidewalk on both sides of the
roadway.
Improvements to Edgeworth Avenue,
a residential street, got started late
last month. Plans include pavement
widening and the addition of concrete
curbs and gutters, as well as a sidewalk
on one side of the street. Traffic on
Edgeworth will be restricted to one
northbound lane for the duration of the
project, which should be completed by
late summer.
The Mayor’s Message
New program gives
local employees
resident benefits
Individuals who work in
Maryland Heights but live
elsewhere can now enjoy some of
the same benefits enjoyed by city
residents.
The new “Business Privilege
Card” program allows anyone
employed by a business in
Maryland Heights to receive
resident rates on Aquaport
admission and parks and
recreation programs and events.
(Discounts do not apply to
Maryland Heights Centre
room rentals and Dogport
memberships.)
To apply for a card, bring a stateissued photo ID and a pay stub
issued within the last 60 days to
Maryland Heights Centre, 2344
McKelvey Road. Cards have
a $5 annual fee and must be
renewed yearly. For information,
call (314) 738-2599.
are you an
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Mayor Mike
Moeller
878-6730
As the recession
enters its 17th
month, the City
of Maryland
Heights—like
every other
community in
our region—
continues to feel
the effects of the
downturn.
Not surprisingly,
economic development in our city has
taken a hit. We’ve seen a marked decline
in zoning and building permit applications, although we are still getting inquiries from developers about new projects.
Schaatdecor, the German printing
company that recently announced plans
to build a new 84,000 square-foot facility in Riverport, has put their project on
hold for a year (although they will go
ahead with the permitting process and
building foundation).
In the last few months, we’ve also had to
say goodbye to some longtime members
of our business community. Westport
Printing, which served area printing
needs for more than 25 years, closed its
doors in March. The troubled housing
market claimed another casualty in local
real estate broker David Fook, founder
of the Re/Max Gold office on Dorsett
Road. And National Bedding, which
operated the Serta mattress factory in
Maryland Heights, had to let 100 workers go when the plant shut down for
good at the end of January.
Our city finances have not been hit
as hard as other communities in the
area—and we don’t think that’s simply a
matter of luck. Over the years, we have
deliberately taken a cautious approach to
fiscal policy, allowing us to build up the
reserves that will allow us to weather the
current crisis. And we will continue to
2 / april 2009 / www.marylandheights.com
prudently manage our resources, trimming costs wherever we can without
having to reduce services or personnel.
We also think it’s important to look for
the opportunities that tend to come with
adversity. The economic decline brings
with it a decline in prices for many
goods and services, which will allow us
to come in under budget on some of the
capital projects we’re working on right
now. That means we are able to do more
with less as we invest in our neighborhoods and commercial centers.
The economic recovery program, which
Congress enacted in response to the
deepening recession, is also creating opportunities for our city and our region.
The completion of Hwy. 141 into a
new outer belt for St. Louis County—a
project that has been planned for two
decades—is now moving forward, fueled in part by federal dollars from the
stimulus plan.
And finally, these tough times offer
us the opportunity to grow closer as
a community. When our country has
faced major trials in the past—the Great
Depression, World War II, the Sept. 11
attacks—we have risen to the challenge.
We now have the chance to extend a
helping hand to those who may be in
worse circumstances than we are, even as
those who are better off reach out to lift
us up. Whether it’s watching a friend’s
child while her parent interviews for
a job, or donating some much-needed
items to a local food pantry, or carpooling with a co-worker to help both of you
save on fuel costs, we can all do something to help each other. It will take
time, but I am confident that if we work
together, we will come out of this crisis
even stronger, as a city and as a nation.
Two Universities Seek New Locations in Maryland Heights
The City of Maryland Heights is
home to more than 20 colleges,
universities, trade and technical
schools—and two more may soon
be added to the mix.
DeVry intends to remodel the
building’s interior to construct
classrooms with capacity to hold up
to 400 students. Landscaping and
building façade improvements are
included in their proposal.
Kaplan University has applied for a
location in the Park 270 office comKaplan and DeVry would join the
plex, which is located just south of
ranks of schools like Lindenwood
Craigshire Drive. Another school,
University, Webster University,
ComputerTraining.com, also leases Webster University opened a satellite campus at
University of Phoenix and Allied
space in this complex. Kaplan
College, all of which have locations
11885 Lackland Road in 2004. The location offers
offers online master’s, bachelor’s,
in Maryland Heights. In total, instimaster’s programs in business, marketing, finance
associate’s, and professional law
tutes of higher learning in the city
and technology, as well as a certificate in governdegrees, as well as certificate proemploy a total of 644 instructors
ment contracting.
grams. While much of the student
in 108 classrooms, with an average
work is done outside the classenrollment of 2,823 students.
to occupy a large portion of the buildroom, the school plans to hold evening
ing currently occupied by Elsevier at
classes at this location, with classrooms
11830 Westline Industrial Drive. The new “New schools and universities are an asset
set up to accommodate as many as 138
to our city,” Mayor Mike Moeller said.
location would house an adult education
students.
“Not only do they provide good jobs, but
school and the Chamberlain School of
Nursing, offering a wide range of nursing, they also offer more options to residents
DeVry University has submitted a request business and technology programs.
who want to continue their education.”
Municipal Calendar
may
april
4/6
5:30 p.m. Public Relations Committee (MHC)
5/4
5:30 p.m.
Public Relations Committee (MHC)
4/7
6:00 a.m.
Election Day
5/7
10:00 a.m.
Traffic Court
4/8
6:00 p.m.
Public Improvements Committee
5/7
7:00 p.m.
City Council
4/8 6:30 p.m. Beautification Commission
5/11
6:00 p.m.
Municipal Court (sentencing)
4/9
7:00 p.m.
Traffic Court
4/13
6:00 p.m.
Municipal Court (sentencing)
5/12
5:30 p.m.
Community Development and
Neighborhood Preservation
4/14 5:30 p.m. Community Development and
Neighborhood Preservation
5/12
7:00 p.m.
Planning and Zoning
5/13
6:00 p.m.
Public Improvements Committee
4/14
7:00 p.m. Planning and Zoning
5/13 6:30 p.m. Beautification Commission
5/14
7:00 p.m.
Traffic Court
4/15
6:30 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (MHC)
4/20
6:00 p.m.
Traffic Court
5/20
6:30 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (MHC)
4/21 7:00 p.m.
Council Reorganizational Meeting
5/25
Memorial Day (city offices closed)
4/23 7:00 p.m. Traffic Court
5/26
5:30 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Committee
4/27
6:00 p.m.
Municipal Court (trials)
5/26
7:00 p.m. Planning and Zoning
4/28
5:30 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Committee
5/28 7:00 p.m. Traffic Court
4/28
7:00 p.m.
Planning and Zoning
Meeting details subject to change. Verify at www.marylandheights.com.
www.marylandheights.com / APRIL 2009 / 3
Camps Offer Surefire Summer Fun
Before you know it, school will be out for
the summer. Make this year’s vacation
time special for your kids by registering
them for one of the city’s enriching and
affordable day camps.
Both Day Camp (for ages 6-11) and
Sports Camp (for ages 8-13) meet daily
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vago Park. Each
two-week session will have a different
theme, and campers will take trips to
Aquaport, the St. Louis Zoo, the Science
Center and Wapelhorst Aquatic Center in
St. Charles.
Registration for both camps begins
Monday, April 13 for residents and nonresidents. A $50 deposit will hold a spot
in any session, and any remaining balance
is due seven calendar days before each
session begins or a $20 late fee will be
applied. Each session is $145 per resident
child and $175 per non-resident child.
Online registration is not available for
Day and Sport Camps. Pre-registration
is required and sessions fill up quickly, so
don’t wait.
The Parks and Recreation Department
also offers extended care for children enrolled in either camp. Morning extended
care (7:30 – 9 a.m.) is $30 per resident
child and $36 per non-resident child.
Afternoon extended care (3 – 6 p.m.) is
$44 per resident child and $52 per nonresident child.
To register, call (314) 738-2599 or stop by
Maryland Heights Centre, 2344 McKelvey Road.
Session I
“Basic Training” (June 15 - 26)
Session II
“International Exploration”
(June 29 - July 10)
Session III
“Olympics” (July 13 - 24)
Session IV
“Carnival” (July 27 - Aug. 7)
After a Record December, City Recycling Numbers Slide
After reaching an all-time high of 171.96
tons in December, recycling numbers for
Maryland Heights have slipped significantly in the first two months of this year.
habit of recycling. Here are a few tips to
get you on your way:
With curbside collection provided by the
city, recycling is easy to do, and many
of the items you may be throwing away
can—and should—be recycled. Newspapers, junk mail, plastic bottles and jugs,
aluminum cans, paperboard (used to
make cereal boxes) and glass can all go
into your rollaway cart—just be sure to
rinse out any food residue to keep from
attracting pests.
• Putting a second trash can or container for recyclables in your kitchen can
make the practice more convenient.
Simply empty the can into your rollaway cart when it gets full.
• There’s no need to bag the recyclables—the waste hauler prefers the
items to be loose in the cart—which
means you save money on trash bags.
• Not sure if a plastic item can be
recycled? Check the bottom and look
for a recycling symbol with a number
in the center. Plastics numbered 1-5
and 7 can go in the cart.
• Plastic grocery bags cannot be recycled through the curbside program
because they tend to clog up the
specialized equipment used to separate the different materials. Instead,
recycle plastic bags at grocery stores.
With Earth Day coming up on April 22,
now is the perfect time to get into the
Together, we can make 2009 our city’s
greenest year yet!
Allied Waste, which provides residential
trash, recycling and yard waste services
to all single-family households in the city,
collected a total of 136.23 tons of recyclables in January and just 109.03 tons in
February—more than a 35 percent decline
since December.
4 / april 2009 / www.marylandheights.com
RECYCLING: THE FACTS
• Recycling 1 ton of paper saves
17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water,
3 cubic yards of landfill space,
2 barrels of oil, and enough
energy to power the average
home for five months.
• Recycling one aluminum can
saves enough energy to run a
TV for 2 hours.
• Americans throw away enough
aluminum every month to
rebuild our entire commercial
air fleet.
• Americans go through 25
billion plastic bottles a year.
• If every household recycled
just one out of every ten plastic
bottles it used, it would keep
200 million pounds of plastic
out of landfills every year.
Baseball Fans Flock to City’s Sports Grills as the
‘Boys of Summer’ Return to the Field
The St. Louis Cardinals swing back into
action this month, and Maryland Heights
has plenty of choices for watching the
game and enjoying great food and drink.
Two of the city’s newest establishments—
Gameday Sports Grill and Hot Shots
Sports Bar—are tailor-made for sports
fans.
Gameday, situated just west of the
Dorsett/I-270 interchange (in the former
Fuddrucker’s location), offers full lunch,
dinner and kids’ menus, a full-service bar
and a game room with billiards, darts and
karaoke. TVs scattered around the restaurant ensure that you won’t miss a minute
of the big game.
Hot Shots—which replaced Krieger’s
in the former Dorsett Square shopping
center—offers daily lunch and happy
hour specials, as well as a full menu of
appetizers, burgers and sandwiches, pizzas
and salads. You can challenge a friend to
a game of pool on the tables that provide
the restaurant’s namesake, even as you
keep an eye on the Cardinals’ latest plays.
Across Dorsett Road, Maryland Yards
boasts a TV within sight of every table.
An extensive menu and half-price appetizers from 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays
will keep you sated as you cheer on your
favorite players.
Where do you go to watch
the game? Tell us at www.
marylandheights.com!
Syberg’s on Old Dorsett Road bills itself
as “More than just a sports bar,” but don’t
be fooled—it’s a local favorite for catching the big game. The menu features all
of the usual suspects as well as originals
like the chain’s popular “Shark Chunks”
appetizer.
Over at Westport Plaza, two Cardinals
greats have built their own havens for
sports aficionados.
Opened in 1988 by Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, Ozzie’s caters to the
truly devoted baseball fan, with an array
of baseball memorabilia, five giant-screen
TVs, and 50 regular TVs lining the walls
of the eatery. It also boasts the distinction
of having been named one of the nation’s
top three sports bars by the now-defunct
sports show “Cold Pizza.”
Sports fans looking for a more upscale
experience can head across the plaza to
Pujols 5. The restaurant, which opened in
2006, offers many of Cardinals slugger
Albert Pujols’ favorite Dominican dishes,
as well as steaks, pastas and sandwiches.
More than 40 high-definition large-screen
TVs provide coverage of major league
games as well as more obscure sports.
Malone’s Neighborhood Grill and Pub,
situated on Administration Drive just
north of Page Avenue, offers all of the
classics: burgers, wings, toasted ravioli and Romine’s famous fried chicken.
Fans with a heartier appetite can try a
12-ounce sirloin, Jack Daniel’s Salmon or
a rack of ribs. There are plenty of choices
for the kids, too—and the little ones eat
free on Tuesdays.
With so many choices, we want to know
where you go in Maryland Heights to
cheer on your team. Vote for your favorite
sports bar and grill in our poll at www.
marylandheights.com, and we’ll crown
the winner in next month’s newsletter.
Festival Takes Guests Around the World in One Afternoon
Visitors packed the house for the eighth annual “Celebrate the World: An International Festival,” held
Feb. 22 at Maryland Heights Centre.
At far left, the Czech Republic-this year’s “spotlight” country-offered a fashion show featuring
traditional Czech clothing. At near left, returning
festival favorites Afriky Lolo treated the audience to a
high-energy performance of African drumming and
dance.
For video clips of some of the day’s performances,
visit www.marylandheights.com
www.marylandheights.com / april 2009 / 5
County Law Requires Helmets for
Children on Wheels
april programs offer
girls and moms new
ways to be active
Females are the focus for the Parks and
Recreation Department’s April Programs
of the Month.
Eight- and nine-year old girls are invited
to step up to the plate as part of the city’s
girls’ softball league. Players will practice
the basics of the sport and also form new
friendships, learn good sportsmanship
and develop an appreciation for a healthy
and active lifestyle. Players who register
with a friend during the month of April
will receive $5 off the enrollment fee for
themselves and their friend.
Expectant mothers will want to take
advantage of this month’s featured adult
program, “Dancing for Birth.” Held on
Wednesday evenings, this program is
designed to help women build stronger
bodies, learn natural pain management
techniques and prepare mentally and
physically for the childbirth experience.
Participants registering for the program
this month will have their names entered
into a drawing for a Babies R Us gift
card, to be awarded at the last class
session.
Registration for these and all other
spring/summer programs begins April 6.
At our web site, www.marylandheights.
com, you’ll find a link to online
registration, as well as our complete
guide to this season’s activities and
events.
With warmer weather finally here to
stay, the neighborhoods and parks of
Maryland Heights are filled with kids
on bikes. Bicycling is a wonderful way
for children to be active and have fun,
but it also carries the risk of injury.
According to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007
biking accidents killed 107 children
under the age of 16 and injured an
additional 12,000. However, a study
published in the New England Journal
of Medicine showed that wearing a
helmet while biking can reduce the risk
of head injury by 85 percent and brain
injury by 88 percent.
The St. Louis County Council passed
legislation last December requiring
anyone under the age of 18 to wear a
helmet while participating in wheeled
sports, including biking, rollerblading
and skateboarding.
Although Maryland Heights does not
have a municipal ordinance regulating
helmet use, the St. Louis County law
applies to all incorporated cities within
the county. Maryland Heights police
officers will be giving out notices of
STIMULUS, from page 1
Mike Moeller said. “It will also make
the area more attractive to developers,
which will create thousands of good
jobs for our region.”
The projects aren’t quite a done deal
just yet. Both the state and county must
finish purchasing land, and the Federal
Highway Administration still needs
to give final approval. But to meet the
6 / april 2009 / www.marylandheights.com
violation to offenders, and juveniles who
are cited three times within a single year
will face a $10 fine and incur St. Louis
County court costs.
“Our officers will be enforcing the
county helmet law,” Police Chief Tom
O’Connor said. “Wearing a helmet can
greatly reduce the risk of injury or death
to children riding bikes, scooters or
skateboards, and we hope that parents
will make sure that their children are
protected every time they go out to
ride.”
strict deadlines attached to projects receiving stimulus dollars, both St. Louis
County and MoDOT are taking steps
to get construction rolling.
St. Louis County plans to begin design
work on its portion of the project by
this fall, with construction starting in
early 2010 and ending in 2011. The state
would begin the Highway 141 relocation and expansion by spring or early
summer 2010 and finish in 2012.
through may 4,
mondays
Community Chorus
The Maryland Heights Community
Chorus is looking for singers of all
abilities to join our growing group. We
are also interested in people who play
musical instruments, want solo singing
opportunities or want to earn high
school volunteer credit. No audition
necessary. Ages 14+. 7 to 9 p.m.
Maryland Heights Centre. $20/residents;
$30/non-residents.
april 5, sunday
Classical Concert Featuring the
Kingsbury Ensemble
One of the Midwest’s premier early
music groups performs “Folias of Spain
and Italy.” Performers include Jessica
Goodenough-Heuser, soprano; Clea
Glahano, recorder; Margaret Humphrey,
violin; Kenneth Kulosa, cello; Maryse
Carlin, harpsichord. Refreshments by
Papaya Grill and Catering; flowers by
K&V Florist. All ages. 2 p.m. Maryland
Heights Centre. Free.
through april 16
Art at Maryland Heights Centre
Arts Events Calendar
Arts Events Calendar
april 16, thursday
Parties at the Plaza
Live band. 5 p.m. Westport Plaza. Free.
april 17, friday
The Early Show: “Singin’ in the Rain”
1952 classic starring Gene Kelly. Adults.
10 a.m. Bridgeton Trails Library. Call
(314) 291-7570 to register. Free.
april 17-18, thursday - friday
“Into the Woods”
Musical performance by DaySpring
School of the Arts. All ages. 7 p.m.
Pattonville High School Theatre. Tickets
available at the door.
april 20, monday
Thornbirds Book Discussion Group
Loving Frank: A Novel, by Nancy Horan.
2 p.m. Thornhill Library. Adults. Free.
april 21, tuesday
Remington Vocal Music Concert
All ages. 7 p.m. Remington Traditional
School. Free.
Featuring work by Mary C. Nasser.
Visitors may view artwork during
business hours. Lobby, Maryland
Heights Centre. Free.
Bookworms
april 15 - may 24
“Food Fight”
Bridgeton Trails Book Discussion
A musical comedy featuring hysterical
song parodies about food, diets,
exercise, plastic surgery and cooking
shows. Playhouse at Westport Plaza. Call
(636) 443-9736 for information.
April 15, 22, Wednesdays
Knitting Club
Bring your project and share ideas.
Beginners can come learn basic stitches.
6:30 p.m. Thornhill Library. Registration
required. Free.
april 15, 22, 29,
may 5, wednesdays
Story Time
Ages 9 months to 2 years with parent,
and ages 3-6. 10:30 a.m. Bridgeton
Trails Library. Free.
Book discussion group for grades 5-7.
4:30 p.m. Bridgeton Trails Library. Call
(314) 291-7570 to register. Free.
Imperfect Presidents: Tales of
Misadventure and Triumph, by Jim
Cullen. 7 p.m. Bridgeton Trails Library.
Adults. Free.
Craft Night
Enjoy crocheting, knitting, sewing and
other arts and crafts. 7 p.m. Bridgeton
Trails Library. Adults. Call (314) 291-7570
to register. Free.
april 24, may 8, fridays
Star Gazing
Public astronomy night. 9 p.m.
Pattonville Heights Planetarium. Free.
april 25, saturday
Thomas the Train
Learn about Thomas the Train and
his friends through stories, crafts
and activities. Ages 3-10. 10:30 a.m.
Thornhill Library. Registration required.
Free.
april 28, tuesday Meet the
Author
Come and meet Missourian Brian
Katcher, author of Playing with Matches,
which has been nominated as one of
the 2009 ALA’s Best Books for Young
Adults. Grades 6-12. 7 p.m. Bridgeton
Trails Library. Free.
april 29, wednesday
Book Bites
How to Train Your Dragon, by Cressida
Cowell. Ages 7-10. 4:15 p.m. Thornhill
Library. Registration required. Free.
april 30, thursday
High School Orchestra Concert
All ages. 7 p.m. Pattonville High School
Community Auditorium. Free.
Pattonville Heights Spring Choir
Concert
All ages. 7 p.m. Pattonville Heights
Middle School. Free.
Parkwood Spring Musical
All ages. 7 p.m. Parkwood Elementary
School. Free.
may 4, monday
Community Chorus Spring Concert
Featuring many classic pop tunes,
including “Here Comes the Sun,” “Old
Dan Tucker,” “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
and more. Reception provided by St.
John’s Bank. 7:30 p.m. Maryland Heights
Centre. Free.
may 7, thursday
Pattonville Festival of Strings
All ages. 7 p.m. Pattonville High School
Main Gym. Free.
www.marylandheights.com / april 2009 / 7
City Hall
ward 2
ward 1
Phone
Director of Finance
291-6550
David Watson
FAX
Director of Community
Development
291-7457
City Administrator
Mark M. Levin
City Clerk
Marcia Jones
Ken Gold
434-2543
Don Hunt
878-8579
Judy Barnett
878-0056
Ed Dirck
878-9001
Wayne Oldroyd
Director of Public
Works
Bryan Pearl
Municipal Court
Phone
Court Administrator
291-6036
Gerald Durfee
Police
ward 3
Emergency
ward 4
911
Community Policing
Bulletin Board
Non-Emergency
298-7655
298-8700
Chief of Police
Tips Hotline
Thomas O’Connor
209-TIPS (8477)
Maryland Heights Centre and Aquaport
2344 McKelvey Road
Dan Johnson
739-4646
Mary Nichols
770-9992
Norm Rhea
739-0096
Carol Turner
739-5086
738-2599
Director of Parks &
Recreation
Mary Vaughan
PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY
2715 FEE FEE Road
298-6800
Sportport
12525 Sportport Road
City Website
www.marylandheights.com
738-2599
EMAIL
[email protected]
We will provide superior municipal services in a
safe and appealing setting in order to attract and
retain residents committed to our city, thriving
businesses and premier hospitality venues.
Mission
www.marylandheights.com
11911 Dorsett Road
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
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ST. LOUIS, MO
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