What improvements/Changes would you like to see in St. Louis? (Chesterfield: sales, real estate)

[GoCardinals]

Some say, St. Louis has passed its peak and now it’s on a very subtle and gradual down slope.

Not sure if I agree with it but what improvements and updates would you like to see in St. Louis?

For starters,

1 - I wish if the airport had direct flights to Europe. At least once every month direct to London.
But unfortunately, even WOW air has shut it's doors.

Why there is not enough market and business in St. Louis for international travel when there is quite a bit of international diversity?

2 - Increase half a penny or something in state taxes on per gallon of gas and remove personal property tax. This is annoying and not a very likable thing people are forced to do.

You want our money? FINE! Make it less painful n less cumbersome.

3 - Decrease crime rate. That’s just a dream but doesn’t hurt to dream.

[FalstaffBlues]

1.) City wide Form Based Code (Exceptions for Industrial areas)

-No set backs from the road
-No garages facing the road
-Essentially you can't build Chesterfield in the city
-No sprawling parking lots
-No strip malls

2.) Complete re-working of our auto centric infrastructure

-The city is already dissected all over by interstates, we don't need our other road ways to do the same
-I would lower the speed limit in NBR, Cass, Page, MLK, Chouteau, Gravois, Jefferson, Grand, Kinghighway, Union, Mccausland to never exceed 30 mph
-4 lane maximum on those roads
- 20 mph limit with speed bumbs throughout all city neighborhood roads.


I think these two thing would change the regional perception of the city away from just the place you go to something and then leave as quickly as possible. These are just some preliminary thoughts I could go on and on.

[FrankMiller]

I would like to see a more robust transit system that prioritizes frequent service.
I'd like to see more housing for the homeless.
I would like more mixed-use zoning, more small neighborhood shops/cafes, and smarter land use in general. Vacancy/parking lot tax to discourage empty space.
If I really had a wish, I'd ask for income insurance and eliminate poverty. Tax 6% on all income above $200k, pay the money to taxpayers making less than X. Basically guarantee that all residents get a share of the state's wealth and give people the freedom to change jobs, open their own business, or even just get sick without being kicked into homelessness. (This is really a Missouri wish not a STL wish.)

I'll also point out that the gas tax wouldn't be a natural substitute for personal property tax, since I think gas tax primarily goes to fund state transportation costs, while the property tax funds local entities. It would probably be replaced by a sales tax or real estate property tax increase. Personally, I like the personal property tax, because I think it's more equitable to tax people with more property. I also don't find it cumbersome in any way, I just respond to the annual bill.

Edit: I would like a direct flight to Europe as well, but I think it's worth noting that it's not that big of a difference, unless London or whatever is your ultimate destination. You can already get to most cities in Europe in one connection.

[STL1980]

Tax 6% on all income above $200k

Do you want wealthier people to flee the city?

[FrankMiller]

Originally Posted by STL1980

Tax 6% on all income above $200k

Do you want wealthier people to flee the city?

Well, it would be a state-level tax.

I think that eliminating poverty would have its own appeal. I'd like to live in a state with fewer millionaires and more entrepreneurs.

[FalstaffBlues]

Originally Posted by FrankMiller

Well, it would be a state-level tax.

I think that eliminating poverty would have its own appeal. I'd like to live in a state with fewer millionaires and more entrepreneurs.

I think that kind of taxing scheme is alot less palatable now that state and local deductions max out

[RisingAurvandil]

Originally Posted by GoCardinals

2 - Increase half a penny or something in state taxes on per gallon of gas and remove personal property tax. This is annoying and not a very likable thing people are forced to do.

You want our money? FINE! Make it less painful n less cumbersome.

Even if that were a state tax (it's not), I don't think a half penny would cover anywhere near enough to offset the personal property tax. But I would at least like to see the personal property tax bills mailed every quarter, to make it easier for folks to budget.