Street Expansion Looks to Draw Old Orchard Shoppers

The Webster Groves City Council has approved the first reading of a resolution to improve road quality, sidewalks and landscaping along Garden Avenue. The construction, which has not reached final approval in order to begin, will add 6 feet in width to Garden Avenue south of Frisco Avenue.

The sidewalk and narrow road choke traffic during the Farmers' Market and keep pedestrians from getting into Old Orchard, according to Mayor Welch.

"If we can make this walkway, and this redevelopment really interesting and aesthetically pleasing, I think we'll see more spillover from Conservatory patrons and students," Welch said at the Webster Groves City Council meeting Tuesday night.

Council members recommended the development plan be taken before the Old Orchard Taxing District for further recommendations.

"This could really pull people into Old Orchard and into those shops (who) normally wouldn't walk through this area that isn't comfortable or accessible right now," Welch said.

Welch also said that because Webster University was paying for the changes, that the council should consider encouraging and/or allowing for university-specific parking in the adjacent lot on Garden Avenue.

"If they are going to pay for it, it seems fair that we might consider giving them a reason to park in the lot, and it puts more consumers near the shops," Welch said.

A final dollar amount has not been established for the project, according to Steve Strang, senior project manager for Webster University.

Strang said the improvements to the road would allow two-way traffic to flow with cars parked on the street and keep pedestrians from walking between traffic.