Funny that the Gates Foundation building is featured as an SLU example. Out of all the development going on in that area, I think the Gates building is a poor example of what we need.
Now, don't get me wrong. The purpose of Gates Foundation and the activity it brings to the area is great. The architecture itself is fine.
The problem is that it's a suburban buiding. It covers a superblock, cutting of pedestrian access through the middle. It has huge driveways and other areas dedicated to vechicles, over proportioned to areas for peds. And the buildings, are too broad. Simply, not urban. Hey, even Bellevue is breaking up their superblocks to allow peds to get through.
Fortunately, I haven't seen this kind (Gates Foundation) of development going on elsewhere in SLU. But, if it does, we will loose one of the strong features of this neighborhood - pedestrian orientation. Our relatively small blocks and many streets are vital to the futures of peds. Let's make sure we keep them!
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