OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023
It always amazes me how fast December flies by - and it happened again this year. Looking back at the entire year, we've seen a lot of changes here in Crestwood and I'm very excited about what's coming for 2024.
Since becoming mayor in April, I've had the pleasure to meet with so many Crestwood residents and city leaders. I can say without exception, everyone is very positive about our community and that shows not only in the work done by our city government, but by the efforts of so many volunteers and people that feel passionately about what they do. We are very lucky to live in such a great place.
In any case, another quarter has gone by so it’s time for another newsletter!
As a reminder, I will continue to add more posts to the website, as events occur and information is available. So be sure to visit mayorshipley.org, or better yet, subscribe to receive weekly/ monthly updates via e-mail.
Click on the topics below to view each article.
I'm excited to extend an invitation to you for our upcoming Town Hall meeting on January 18, 2024. It's an event I'm looking forward to, and I hope to see many of you there.
The meeting will take place at the Crestwood Community Center at Whitecliff Park, from 6 to 8 PM and will be an "Open House" style event, meaning you can drop by at your convenience during those hours. No need to rush - just come when it suits you.
You'll have the chance to meet and interact with the Mayor, your Aldermen, and other city leaders. But more importantly, it's a time for you to share your thoughts, ask questions, and help shape the future of Crestwood.
We've planned various stations at the event, each focusing on different aspects of our city.
- You can explore conceptual plans for the proposed new community center
- Provide input for city goals for the coming years
- Hear about what's new in Crestwood and what's in store for 2024 and beyond
- Provide valuable insights into how we can better communicate with you and your neighbors.
We will also have some giveaways and you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and cookies. Yum!
Transparency and excellence in serving our community are our top priorities. Your participation is incredibly valuable in this process. Your voice truly matters as we work together to ensure that Crestwood continues to thrive, remain accountable, foster innovation, and uphold sustainability for generations to come.
So, mark your calendars for January 18, 2024. Let's come together as a community and make a difference. I hope to see you there. Together we can help ensure that Crestwood truly represents each and every one of us.
Construction Rendering - looking west. Syberg's Mexican Restaurant on
left, Katie's Pizza on RightDierbergs recently presented their plans for Phase 2 of the Crestwood Crossing development. This phase focuses on the western portion of the property, where the old Famous Barr parking lot used to be.
I’m excited that two amazing restaurants will be constructed, with a cohesive and attractive gathering space between them. Katie’s Pizza is planning to open a new location at this site along with a new high-end Mexican restaurant owned by the Syberg’s family (restaurant name has not yet been announced). As you may know the Syberg's family owns many successful restaurants, including Twisted Tree and Helen Fitzgeralds. Both of these new locally owned Crestwood businesses will attract visitors from around the region and will be unique to the area.
The original concept for this space was presented several years ago, and at that time the developers envisioned one restaurant, or two smaller ones with a gathering space adjacent. This new concept elevates that original plan to have two large and popular businesses with the gathering space between, in a shared and cohesive manner.
The gathering space will feature natural turf, a fountain designed to be attractive all year long (even during the winter when it’s not running), nice landscaping, benches and seating throughout, and even a stage for concerts and other events.
Some have asked about the road running through that gathering space. This is the existing “drive” that connects Sappington Road to the Dierbergs main site. While this road is not as busy as the two Watson Road entrances, there will still be vehicles using it. To help ensure safety for pedestrians in the area, the road will be resurfaced to match the other features in the space, crosswalks will be clearly indicated, and “flashing light” signs will remind drivers to watch for pedestrians. During large events such as a popular concert, or Cinco de Mayo, that road can be closed to traffic. It’s also worth noting that semi-trucks will not use that road – they use the entrances off Watson Road.
Dierbergs has indicated that construction will likely begin mid-2024 with a target opening date in the first quarter of 2025. This represents phase 2 of the entire redevelopment project. Phase 3 will focus on the eastern portion of the site along Watson Road and will likely begin sometime in 2025.
Katie's above, Syberg's Mexican below
Looking West, Watson Road on left
Looking East, Katie's on left, Syberg's Mexican on right
This was another busy year in Crestwood. Probably the biggest event was the grand opening of the new Dierbergs at Crestwood Crossing. That marked the first milestone in the multi-year development project that will fill that hole that we have all felt since the mall closed. I truly feel that the successful development by Dierbergs and McBride represents the best possible use for that site. Previous development plans included things like movie theaters and large office complexes – both would likely be empty now. Good things come to those who wait.
Another significant accomplishment was the start of the Crestwood ambulance service on August 1. This was the very first time that the City provided this service (it was previously outsourced to Abbott). In a traditional and symbolic gesture, the fire crew manually pushed the ambulance into the firehouse to officially place it into service. Within 30 minutes, that ambulance was called out for its first dispatch. Since that time, residents have received the best possible care, which even included delivering a baby in the ambulance. This is a substantial enhancement to public safety in Crestwood.
Other improvements throughout Crestwood included:
- Over $1 million in concrete street and sidewalk repairs, including the full replacement of Del Vista.
- New sidewalks installed in partnership with Lindbergh to help students safely walk to school.
- Installation of a new 9-hole disc golf course at Crestwood Park. This has proved to be very popular among residents and visitors from around the region. If you haven't tried it yet, grab your frisbee and give it a whirl – it’s challenging and fun!
- Solar lights were installed at Whitecliff Park, replacing aging and failing traditional lights all along Whitecliff Park Drive and throughout the parking areas. This investment in solar will continue to pay dividends by reducing our electric bill for all this outdoor lighting. Since these lights are not connected to a power source, it's easier to move them to a new location if future construction plans require.
- Crestwood completed a multi-year effort to create a new city-wide Parks Master Plan that sought resident input through multiple open house events, pop-up tables at other events, and a large survey. These efforts resulted in a very detailed list of resident needs and recommended improvements to address those needs. This document will be our roadmap for the next 15-20 years.
- To improve walkability throughout Crestwood, two pedestrian bridges were completed. One connects Crestwood Crossing to Grant's Trail (by Watson Industrial Park) and the bridge connecting two neighborhoods at Sanders Park was replaced with a new one.
There were many successful events throughout the year such as Splashtacular, Kids Triathlon, SunCrest Fest, Christmas in Crestwood Winter Wonderland, Trunk or Treat, Movies at the Firehouse, Kids Garage Sale, Concerts at Sappington House, Shred and Electronics Recycling days, and more.
These events throughout the year allow us to come together as a community and really show the value of living in Crestwood!
Crestwood Park Disc Golf Grand Opening
Easter Bunny Visit
Kids Garage Sale
Not Your Grandma's Bingo
Splashtacular
Suncrest Fest
Trash Bash Cleanup at Whitecliff
Sander's Park Pedestrian Bridge Replacement
Crestwood Crossing Pedestrian Bridge Grand Opening
Princess Ball
Trunk or Treat
New Sidewalks near Sappington and Crestwood Schools
Christmas in Crestwood Winter Wonderland
Next year will be another full year of projects and events.
Street Repairs – This year the city has budgeted over $900,000 to focus on asphalt street repairs and will again use a process known as mill and overlay – where the top layer of the street is ground off and removed, and a new smooth surface is installed. Over the past few years, Crestwood also started using a new technology where a “rejuvenator” liquid is added to make the asphalt much more durable. This technique will again be applied to the new asphalt after it is installed.
There are many streets throughout Crestwood that were originally concrete, but decades ago they were overlayed with asphalt because of the high cost of repairing and maintaining concrete. This was a common practice back then but is no longer recommended since the failing concrete is still there under the asphalt. As such, Crestwood will begin “full depth” replacement of these streets on a slow and methodical manner, as budgets allow. There are a few streets that we hope to correct in 2024 (again – depending on the costs of the bids we receive).
The full list of streets targeted for repairs in 2024 is: Ayers Dr, Banbury Ct, Cherry Brook Ln, Clover Ln, Clydesdale Dr, Coffey Ct, Coffey Dr, Conover Ln, Crompton Ct, Curwood Dr, Denton Ct, Diversey Dr, Ferndale Ave, Fox Creek Ct, Fox Creek Dr, Friendly Dr, Gallop Ln, Hawkins Ct, Hemingway Dr, Montego Dr, Pardee Spur, Yolanda Ct
New Firetruck and Ambulance – These were ordered back in 2022 and are expected to be delivered and placed into service during 2024. The Firetruck (a pumper) will become the city’s primary Fire vehicle and the new Ambulance will also become the city’s primary EMS vehicle. The existing ambulance will become the standby and the two existing pumpers will likely be sold to fund the purchase of a standby pumper.
Whitecliff Primary Bridge – Replacement of this bridge was originally planned for 2023, but for various reasons it will be moved to 2024. The city will request bids in early 2024 hoping to have this work occur after the busy summer season.
Park Improvements – Various park improvements are planned, including a new restroom at the Whitecliff Quarry, new tennis court fencing, a new ADA compliant gazebo and table at Rayburn Park, and expanding the (now busy) lower parking lot at Whitecliff.
Waste Connections Contract Renewal – Beginning March 1, 2024, the new contract with our waste provider, Waste Connections, will begin. The biggest changes we’ll see include the move to “automated” pick-up (where the driver uses the mechanical lift to pick up and empty the cart). We will see this change for trash, recycle, and yard waste. There are many components to this new system – so be sure to read the brochure Waste Connections is sending to all residents (copy posted HERE).
While the method of "how" trash is picked up is changing, there are many things that won't change. For example, the discounted programs for seniors and low-income residents will remain.
Low-Income Discount Requirements - 60 years of age or older or disabled AND with a taxable income not exceeding 80% of area median income as it appears on the recent IRS Form 1040 or 1040A or 1040EZ. Qualified residents will receive a 72.5% discount.
Senior Discount Requirements – Households with at least one resident 65 years or older as of the beginning of the quarter of the current year, January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1. Qualified residents will receive a 10% discount.
Disabled Pickup – For residents not capable of placing containers at the curbside because of physical disability, Waste Connections can access trash carts placed next to a resident’s home. No additional charge for this service.
For more information on your trash service, please contact Waste Connections directly at 636-321-2100.
April Election – Each ward will have an Alderman on the ballot this year. All Aldermen positions have only one candidate on the ballot, so that should make your choice easy.
Ward 1 - Jesse Morrison
Ward 2 - Rebecca Now
Ward 3 - Grant Mabie
Ward 4 - John Sebben
Also on the ballot I’m expecting to see several propositions from MSD and Lindbergh.
Crestwood will also be placing a proposition on that ballot asking residents to weigh in on funding a new community center and other park improvements to be paid for via a municipal bond. There will be multiple town hall events and lots of information provided about this project, so keep an eye out for plenty of details coming. The first town hall event is on January 18, 2024 as described earlier in this newsletter. Hope to see you there.
If you missed any of the previous newsletters, you can find a link to all of them here.