The Development of The Grove and the Plight of Independent owned business in St. Louis
I'll start off by declaring I am not a business owner in St. Louis but am speaking as a frequent patron of independent business and as a community organizer that has observed this city for the last 6 years as a resident and activist. This paylot situation annoys me and amplifies the politics that has long existed in the city. When you drive down long stretches of city blocks with ample meter parking, largely unused during the day- it makes you wonder, why would the city create more paylots or more parking lots period. But then you'd have to wonder why St. Louis is still in recovery from a recession that happened over 50 years ago and was further worsened by the flight of the white middle class to the county which left in its wake, abandoned buildings, unemployment and poverty. When you factor in that this city's politicians come from political dynasties that are either themselves from Old Money, in bed with Old Money or in the pockets of corrupt corporations owned by O...