Historical November–December 2011 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
One plus factor about hosting a World Series is that many flock to our town–reporters, fans, etc.
I wonder what their impressions of St. Louis will be. Too many articles in various media have compared St. Louis with Detroit.
As someone who grew up in Detroit, I can say unequivocally that the comparison is false. St. Louis may have lost considerable population but it remains a very diverse city.
It has chain groceries and drug stores, unlike the Motor City. Although parts of our town are desolate, many others are vibrant. About a third of the city consists of stable, integrated neighborhoods.
There are residents of all ages and backgrounds.
There are restaurants, bakeries. Of course, visitors may not get beyond the confines of downtown. But, they will still find the remarkable City Garden, which provides art and beauty to all–kids, dog walkers, daytime workers, nightime ballgame goers.
The loft district is well-established now. Of course, the city could always use more businesses and jobs and more housing, new and renovated. But, it is a town that has nothing to be ashamed of.
We may be rustbelt, we may have suffered from flight but we are not an urban basketcase. Our neighborhood is emblematic of the city.
It has come a long way in the past 4 decades. Perhaps Delmar is an apt microcosm.
When I was here on a job interview in 1986, a friend drove me through the Loop and past city limits.
There was a notable drop-off. Today the city Loop shines and plans will go forward to keep extending the renewal east on Delmar and along DeBaliviere.
There is hope, progress, and portents of even better things in our city.
I hope Tim McCarver and all the other visitors catch the drift.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2011.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2011_11.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
