Page Avenue Bridge Brings New Highway Access the Highly Anticipated Opening of Blanchette Bridge, Which Currently Make St

WINTER 2003

Drive Time Page Avenue Bridge Brings New Highway Access The highly anticipated opening of Blanchette Bridge, which currently make St. Charles County a prime a new river crossing linking St. carries in excess of 200,000 vehicles choice for companies seeking to Charles and St. Louis counties is daily. The bridge will benefit resi- expand or relocate. The added almost here. The Page Avenue dents of both St. Charles and St. bridge will also aid tourism and Extension will soon provide traffic Louis counties as drivers determine entertainment venues such as The relief for commuters crossing the the route most advantageous for their Family Arena, parks, historic loca- Missouri River when the Missouri drive to and from work and other tions and other county amenities. Department of Transportation destinations. The new river crossing will (MoDOT) opens the tied-arch bridge Economic benefits are expected accommodate recreational benefits as structure next month. December when improved travel between the well. In 2004, hikers, bikers and 13th marks this significant date in two counties facilitates access to runners will enjoy a dedicated the region’s transportation history employment, commerce and shop- bikepath connecting the KATY Trail and represents the completion of the ping locations; spurring new business to Creve Coeur Lake Park in St. first phase of the $325 million proj- development along Highway 94 and Louis County. The trail will be on ect. across the county. The logistics pro- the westbound bridge segment, sepa- St. Charles County Executive Joe vided by the Page Avenue extension rate and below vehicle traffic, and Ortwerth said, “The opening will include an overlook of Page to motorists is an area for a relaxing river historic moment. St. view. Charles Countians have Preparations in St. looked forward to this proj- Charles County have been ect for decades. When underway for quite some MoDOT opens the bridge time to welcome the next month, both counties future connection to Page will enter a whole new Avenue. Together, St. transportation era.” Charles County The Page Bridge is a 10- Government, regional lane structure joining two of leaders and MoDOT have the largest counties in the worked diligently to state. Officially designated assure the smoothest tran- as the Veterans Memorial sition possible for passage Bridge, the river crossing is from Page Avenue onto expected to carry from 60- arterial and feeder roads. 80,000 vehicles per day in its St. Charles County Executive Joe Ortwerth joins MoDOT Land was acquired, road- early years. Most of this traffic and St. Louis County officials in October 2003 to ways redesigned and will be diverted from the announce the Page Avenue extension opening. See Page Avenue, page 7

County Executive’s Message ...... 2 Council Comments ...... 5

Workforce Development ...... 3 Holiday Recycling ...... 5

Family Arena Events ...... 4 St. Charles County Online ...... 6 Executive Message The Page Avenue Bridge Saga It all started on a Tuesday, the After two years of vigorous lobby- 27th of November, 1984, at what ing, the commission gave the project used to be the Mark Twain Bank the green light in the fall of 1986. It facility in Harvester. At the time I was the first time the Highway was a newly elected state representa- Department had ever approved a tive. At my urging, the county’s state project with no idea how they would County Executive Joe Ortwerth legislative delegation had gathered to fund it. The next spring, Missouri announce the creation of the Page voters approved Proposition A ( a on the project began. Interior Avenue Bridge Committee. There four-cent gas tax increase) which Secretary Bruce Babbitt ordered a began the nearly 20-year campaign included funding for the Page proj- whole new round of environmental to build the Page Avenue Extension. ect. St. Charles County voters over- studies (lasting another three years) Talk of a Page Avenue bridge had whelmingly endorsed the proposition and an extreme amount of land miti- occurred in previous decades. The with an astounding 78% of the vote. gation for “intrusion” into the park. project had never gotten off the For the next six years the project After nearly nine years of “moth- ground because St. Louis and St. wandered through the wilderness er-may-I” appeals to insensible and Charles counties had different priori- known as the federal government. insufferable federal obstructionists, ties for a new river crossing. In the File cabinets full of documentation the U.S. Government approved the meantime, the proposed corridor in were furnished to numerous federal project in the fall of 1995. Two St. Charles County (which would agencies to justify the project and years of detailed engineering and have extended Page to Interstate 70 address supposed environmental design ensued and in the summer of near the old weight scales) was impacts. Federal bureaucrats offered 1997 construction work actually erased by the development of the resistance at every step. State high- began. Then yet another effort to City of St. Peters. In pulling the way officials agreed to make major sabotage the project began, and this project off the shelf, it was going to improvements to Creve Coeur Lake time it was anything but surrepti- be necessary to start it from scratch. and expand Creve Coeur Park. The tious. Political interests opposed to The new citizens committee bridge design committee (on which I the growth of St. Charles County worked with the state legislative del- served) recommended construction mounted a petition drive to obtain a egation to build the case and mobi- of a bike trail on the bridge to link a public vote on the granting of ease- lize public support for the new river new bikepath around Creve Coeur ments necessary to construct the crossing. Studies were conducted Park with the KATY Trail in St. project through Creve Coeur Park. that documented the critical need for Charles County. With the help of the St. Louis the new bridge to alleviate soaring When push came to shove, the RCGA, Civic Progress and the Home traffic volumes on I-70. The studies federal government refused to allow Builders Association (long-time revealed that without a new bridge the highway to go through the park, See Executive Message, page 7 the day would come when it would breaking a promise made to St. Louis not be possible to move morning and County several years before. It took evening rush-hour traffic loads with- a literal act of Congress sponsored out extending the rush hour to last all by then Senator Jack Danforth to is a publication of day long. It was my strong convic- authorize construction to go forward St. Charles County Government tion that the inevitable paralysis of over the federal official’s objections. FOCUS Newsletter I-70 would severely threaten the By the end of 1992, the project Governmental Comm. Dept. county’s excellent quality of life and was ready for final clearance by fed- 201 North Second Street, Rm 227 its future economic prosperity. eral authorities. However, lower- St. Charles, MO 63301 In February 1985, the Missouri level bureaucrats hostile to the proj- 636-949-1890 Highway and Transportation ect held up the final paperwork long www.saintcharlescounty.org [email protected] Commission authorized an updated enough for the Clinton administra- review of the need for the new bridge. tion to assume office and new attacks

2 St. Charles County Government 100 North Third Street St. Charles, MO 63301 Workforce Development Career Center Offers Vast Employment Resources Job searchers and corporations Don Holt, St. Charles County’s review the resumes and skills of alike can find needed opportunities Director of Workforce Development. potential applicants, evaluate local through the employment-related The Department of Workforce labor data and regulatory informa- services available from St. Charles Development is funded mostly tion, conduct interviews, host spe- County’s Department of Workforce through state and federal grants cialized training courses and even Development. Operating as the awarded under the Workforce partner with the Department of Missouri Career Center in St. Peters, Investment Act. St. Charles County Workforce Development to provide the department offers a one-stop- Government provides additional services to furloughed employees. shop for businesses in search of monies to augment the center’s oper- Some companies have also worked employees and job candidates who ation. Together these funds allow the with the Career Center on outplace- are seeking their first job, their next facility to provide assistance to more ment assistance and tax incentive job or career advancement opportuni- than 25,000 job seekers and numer- programs. ties. Nearly 2,100 people visit the ous companies each year. Dual Benefit center located at 2020 Parkway Job Hunting Workforce Development employ- Persons who seek their next job ees also work with state agencies to opportunity will appreciate the coordinate regional job fairs held resources available from the throughout the metropolitan area Department of Workforce approximately every eight weeks. Development. The Career Center The expositions offer opportunities offers all of the tools required for for job seekers and corporations from success in a job search: access to job St. Charles, St. Louis, Jefferson and leads, a job-search library, comput- Franklin counties. These events ers, telephones, Internet and fax attract more than 600 job candidates capabilities, and training programs to and 75 to 90 employers. Smaller job help an appli- fairs are held at the Career Center cant maxi- monthly to allow 10 to 12 companies mize their hir- to meet with potential employees on Regional job fairs are just one of the many services ing potential. a smaller scale. Both types of job provided by St. Charles Some of fairs benefit employers, job seekers County’s Department of the classes and even students hoping to decide Workforce Development. offered on a career choice. Drive each month to take include salary Convenience advantage of these voca- negotiation, The Career Center is often con- tional services. interviewing fused with the unemployment office. “The Career Center is available to skills, resume and cover-letter writ- However, the State of Missouri no anyone who seeks assistance. We ing, computer training, sending longer operates a field office for have clients just out of school who resumes by e-mail, posting resumes unemployment benefits in St. Charles are looking for their first job, indi- to the Internet and employment net- County. viduals who have been furloughed working. All of these courses are “We do not monitor a client’s and executives who seek a new free-of-charge. Further assistance is weekly reporting requirement to the opportunity. Corporations use our available through referrals to com- State of Missouri for unemployment services to communicate job leads or munity support programs and career benefits. Our purpose, as a depart- establish specialized training pro- and vocational counseling for those ment of St. Charles County grams for current employees. Our who qualify under the Dislocated Government, is to assist an appli- purpose is to offer employment Worker Program. cant’s preparation for potential resources and occasions for individu- Employers employment through targeted als and employers to connect,” said Businesses can post job openings, See Workforce, page 6

(636) 949-7500 www.saintcharlescounty.org St. Charles County Government 3 Winter Event Schedule

The Family Arena is pleased to children from the audience, an announce an exciting event schedule orchestra and Martina performing the for the winter season. season’s classic songs. “A Concert for Christmas” star- Lynyrd Skynyrd brings its own ring Al Jarreau, Melissa Manchester brand of Southern Rock to The and hosted by David Benoit comes to Family Arena with the “Vicious The Family Arena on December 6 at Cycle” tour on December 8th. This 8:00 p.m. This brand-new smooth time around they celebrate 30 years jazz holiday show features an 18- of music with a brand new album piece orchestra, festive songs of the that has an all-American country holiday season and timeless classics feel. “Red, White and Blue,” the of three great artists. first hit released from the new album, In addition, this new tour brings has been heard on rock stations all to life the holiday season for “the kid summer. This jam is a collaborative in all of us” by incorporating the effort with .38 Special, who opens classic holiday tale of “A Charlie for Lynyrd Skynyrd. If you missed Brown Christmas.” the ‘70s, here is your chance The stage will be highlighted with to hear “Free Bird” and three projection screens where “Sweet Home Alabama” per- Charlie Brown and the PEANUTS™ formed live. gang will come alive with brand new The St. Louis Steamers A Concert for Christmas animation that interacts with the per- are full-steam ahead with starring Al Jarreau, formers and the audience. The car- indoor soccer action. Soccer Melissa Manchester and hosted by David Benoit toons were specifically designed to legend Daryl Doran heads up Saturday, December 6th enhance this new live tour and com- a talented team of profes- pliment the classic footage from “A sional Major Indoor Soccer League Charlie Brown Christmas.” players. Not only are they dedicated Martina McBride’s “The Joy of to putting a winning team on the Christmas” is a multi-media theatri- field, they are dedicated to bringing cal event complete with dazzling the Steamers spirit back to the St. sets, brilliant lights and impressive Louis area. The Steamers organiza- special effects, to create this one-of- tion formed the Steamers Soccer a-kind concert. Capture the magic of Foundation to advance the sport of the season on Friday, December 19th soccer throughout the community. at 7:30 p.m. with one of music’s Visit www.stlsteamers.com to learn most spectacular voices and dynamic about Steamers game stats, the MISL entertainers, Martina McBride. All-Star weekend and opportunities The ever-changing film back- within the foundation. drops, state-of-the-art digital projec- The Family Arena welcomes back Martina McBride’s tions and set designs are only part of the Missouri River Otters for their The Joy of Christmas the large-scale theatrical experience fifth anniversary season. Come out Saturday, December 19th planned. A troupe of actors plays to cheer on your favorite home-town famous antics make hockey fun for multiple roles and reenacts live- hockey team as Coach Lonnie Loach the whole family. A complete list of action scenes from bustling city leads the Otters to the playoffs. The home games, ticket packages and a streets to Santa’s workshop and even brand new state-of-the-art video promotions schedule for the season a nativity scene. The two-hour pro- scoreboard, the up-close action, are available at www.riverotters.com. gram will also feature caroling with chuck-a-puck games and Oscar’s See Arena Events, page 6

4 St. Charles County Government 100 North Third Street St. Charles, MO 63301 Council Comments Taxpayers Deserve an Advocate They understand that though their To address that problem, we are taxes may have increased, their investigating (at Councilman home’s net-worth has also increased. Funderburk’s suggestion) the possi- District Rather, the calls tend to be from bility of establishing a Taxpayer those concerned that their assess- Advocate Program. The advocate, ments overstate the actual increase. who would represent the homeowner 1 Listening to these concerns, the rather than the Assessor’s office, Jeff Morrison County Council established a special could help homeowners who want to committee to try and help. I volun- contest their assessment by walking teered for the committee. After them through the process. Based on One of the major concerns I have speaking with Assessor Scott the experiences of a similar program repeatedly heard from St. Charles Shipman, who also agreed to serve adopted in St. Louis County, such an County residents this year is that on the committee, we found that Advocate appears to be a cost-effec- their homes’ assessment suddenly when people contest their assessed tive way to start addressing the prob- jumped. Many said that they had values through the Assessor’s Office, lem. With a little work, we hope to seen increases of greater than 20% they often can present evidence that have the program in place for the since their last assessment. the appraiser did not know that caus- next round of assessments. Of course, these increases partial- es their homes’ assessment to be Post-script: As this last year has ly result from the real, and often adjusted down. been my first year on the County rather spectacular, increases in prop- But St. Charles County residents, Council, I would like to take this erty values with which our county like many mid-westerners, generally opportunity to thank the residents of has been blessed. Unlike commer- avoid confrontation. It’s part of the District 1 for allowing me the honor cial or rental property where the charm of our community and culture. and privilege of representing them. owner can usually raise the rent as Unfortunately, contesting an assess- And on behalf of myself and my fami- the property’s value increases, such ment can be a difficult and intimidat- ly, I wish all of you and your families increases on a private home place a ing process that actually relies on a happy holiday season. real hardship on the homeowner who confrontation to hash out the truth. often struggles to come up with addi- The resulting situation is that people Jeff Morrison represents citizens tional money to pay the unforeseen often are scared off by the adversari- in Council District 1. Mr. Morrison tax burden. But generally, folks do al process of contesting an assess- is an attorney with the law firm of not call when they feel that their ment to try and resolve the dispute Bryan Cave LLP. home actually increased in value. by themselves. Holiday Tree Recycling As the Thanksgiving holiday many collection locations planned approaches, many people have throughout the county. As part of the already begun to plan for their county’s commitment to recycling, December holiday celebrations. If St. Charles County is partnering with you intend to purchase a live other communities to collect and Christmas tree this year, the St. shred the trees for mulch. The mulch Charles County Division of will be available free-of-charge to Environmental Services encourages residents. you to branch-out your family’s envi- Tree collection sites will be ronmental efforts. announced in December. For addi- After packing away the orna- tional details, call 636-949-7415 or ments, bring your tree to one of visit www.scchealth.org/docs/es.

(636) 949-7500 www.saintcharlescounty.org St. Charles County Government 5 County Online Workforce... resources,” said Assistant Director Enhanced Web Site Offers More Karen Grim. Have you visited your county Instead, in collaboration with the government online lately? If so, you State of Missouri’s Department of have noticed that St. Charles County Economic Development, Internet- Government launched a new, more capable computer work stations are user-friendly version of its web site available at the Career Center to at www.saintcharlescounty.org. The allow job seekers to report on the sta- county’s new presence on the World tus of their job search to the Missouri Wide Web provides easier access to Department of Labor. Such stream- county information using updated lined service provision empowers technology and graphics. applicants to continue their job search The fresh look is not all that is in one convenient location. appealing about the county’s ed agencies. In today’s tough hiring climate, enhanced web presence. By visiting The St. Charles County web site every opportunity is significant. The the county online, citizens can will continue to evolve as additional Career Center is a resource that is access: data and features are added to pro- paying off for employees and Geographic Information System vide optimum service to citizens and employers alike. The office is open (GIS) maps businesses. Many items are under 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday St. Charles County ordinances consideration for future implementa- through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to property assessment database tion including online job applica- 5:00 p.m. on Fridays to serve individ- election information tions, seating views from any loca- uals on varied schedules. Programs press releases tion in The Family Arena, and virtual are free-of-charge; however eligibility requests for proposals tours of county parks. requirements do apply to some serv- employment information St. Charles County Government ices. instructions for online payment encourages the public to e-mail com- Visit the department on the of property taxes ments and suggestions concerning Internet at www.stcharlesworks.com a variety of county forms the new web site. E-mail can be sent or call 636-926-1150 for additional The county’s enhanced web site by accessing the site’s “E-mail details about what the St. Charles also provides a convenient access Comments” link or directly to the County Department of Workforce point to other substantial web site county’s Information Systems depart- Development has to offer. links within government and affiliat- ment at [email protected].

Arena Events... The Family Arena’s website has a Saddle up partners. It’s rodeo new look and is easier to navigate. time! The Dodge World’s Toughest Join the arena’s Special Access Club Rodeo showcases the best athletes in at www.familyarena.com for advance professional Major League Rodeo notice of upcoming events, discount (MLR) in a two-day shoot-out event offers on select performances and at The Family Arena. games, and exclusive promotions to On Saturday, January 2nd and win backstage passes, merchandise, Sunday, January 3rd the MLR party suites and concession coupons. national champions and their chal- Call the event hotline at 636-896- lengers will compete in bareback rid- 4242 or visit www.familyarena.com ing, saddle bronc riding, bull riding for more information about these and and women’s barrel racing. Rustle other upcoming events at The Family up the whole family for this thrill- Arena. To purchase tickets, call packed, wild western showdown in MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or go The Dodge World’s Toughest Rodeo two days of live, non-stop action. online to www.metrotix.com. Sat & Sun, January 2nd & 3rd

6 St. Charles County Government 100 North Third Street St. Charles, MO 63301 Page Avenue... Executive Message... additional routes and project proponents), the anti-Page overpasses constructed forces were soundly defeated. to accommodate traf- Six years of construction has now fic. come and gone, and on December Several years ago, 13th the people of St. Charles County the county’s Highway and the region will receive an early Department identified Christmas gift. It would not have feeder roads that happened without an extraordinarily would be impacted by herculean effort against the most motorists utilizing the entrenched and intractable opposi- Page Bridge serving tion. Without the determination and St. Charles County. persistence of citizens and elected As a result, Arena officials, the project would have died Parkway was upgrad- dozens of times due to seemingly ed to provide a multi- insurmountable obstacles. Courtesy of MoDOT lane link between Page The Page Avenue Bridge crosses the Missouri River The list of people who deserve Avenue and I-70 using between Highway 94 in St. Charles County and thanks is voluminous. But there are Fifth Street. Upper Highway 270 in St. Louis County’s Westport area. a few I want to single out for their Bottom Road was realigned and “We collected signatures and sub- special roles. Gary Turner and Billy improved to provide alternate access mitted petitions supporting the need Collier spearheaded the citizens’ to the bridge. for another river crossing. We made effort over the years as chairs of the The at-grade intersection at Jungs presentations to citizens, focus Page Avenue Bridge Committee, and Station Road has been eliminated to groups and the Missouri Highway its successor, the Missouri River allow traffic to flow without inter- Commission and also lobbied for Bridges Committee. They helped secting traffic. Funding is being funding. There was a lot of energy light the fires of citizen activism on sought to convert the rest of that went into getting the Page proj- this issue at one hearing and meeting Highway 94 South to freeway status ect started. We needed the public’s after another. Former State Senator all the way to Pitman Hill Road. support,” said Mr. Turner. Fred Dyer was the leading local However, without additional revenue Once public attention became elected official at the time, and I it is unlikely this will happen before focused on the priority to improve thank him for supporting my strate- the next decade. transportation routes between St. gies and my judgement as we worked MoDOT began the actual con- Charles and St. Louis counties, the all the political angles. struction work to extend Page endeavor gained momentum which Numerous people at the Missouri Avenue into St. Charles County in never slowed. State, federal and Department of Transportation have July 1997. However, discussion of local officials set aside their political gone all out to make this project hap- the project dates back more than 30 differences and joined forces to pen, but the one who has immersed years when the Missouri Highways advance the project in a formidable his heart and soul in it from day one and Transportation Commission first show of force despite repeated obsta- has been design team leader Barry considered the need for another cles. Bergmann. And finally, the county’s Missouri River crossing. On December 13th, the Page transportation advocate, Gary St. Charles County Transportation Avenue bridge opens and strengthens Elmestad, who has worked side by Director Gary Turner remembers the link between the two leading side with me day-in and day-out to when the project was just a concept. counties in the St. Louis metropolitan see that the next steps were taken. Then a private citizen, Turner was area. Residents can look forward to Ultimately, our thanks go out to named by the county’s legislators to a variety of exciting benefits and people throughout Missouri who pay the Page Avenue Bridge Committee changes that this significant new the fuel taxes that make it possible to and became its chairman. This core thoroughfare is certain to provide. build mammoth projects like Page group of county volunteers worked St. Charles County Government wel- Avenue. Because of this investment, to gain citizen support and state and comes Page Avenue into our commu- the future of St. Charles County will federal funding to launch the project. nity as a new corridor of opportunity. be bright for generations to come.

(636) 949-7500 www.saintcharlescounty.org St. Charles County Government 7