Starting to feel like this week has a vacant property theme to it (see yesterday's post on news in Youngstown, and a post earlier this week on the 2011 Land Banking Conference). At least we're all solutions oriented? Open/Closed, the first conference in St. Louis dedicated to vacant and abandoned property is coming up on March 18-19, 2011. The conference seems, more than just a series of speakers, to be a call to collaborative action to deal with the vacant properties of St. Louis...

Missouri's historic tax credit, so instrumental to revitalization efforts in St. Louis is up for review, and under scrutiny (for why this tax credit is so important, and unusual, see GLUE's 2009 interview with Preservation Research Office Director Michael Allen). Visit the Preservation Research Office site for up-to-date info on public meetings where you can weigh in to help protect St. Louis's historic architecture, and to maintain an essential tool for redevelopment!

While at this point, this is old news, we'd be remiss not to take a moment to mention some very exciting news from St. Louis. Last month, voters across the entire county (not just the city) approved an increase to the transit sales tax that will restore services previously cut--and expand services connecting the suburbs with the downtown. According to this St. Louis Dispatch article, the half-cent increase will fund lost bus and Call-A-Ride services first, and eventually will expand MetroLink services farther into the suburbs...

Most people I know haven't yet decided what they're doing after the New Year, let alone in 2015, but the National Park Service and City of St. Louis are planning ahead. They have announced an international design competition "to invigorate the park and city areas surrounding of one of the world

There's just something priceless about the combination of blue sky, American flag, and proudly emblazoned TUMS across this building facade.

On a recent trip to St. Louis, my tour guides included Michael Allen, the detective, advocate, and blogger behind Ecology of Absence, a board member of Preservation Action, and the Director of the newly-formed Preservation Research Office. Michael's knowledge of the built environment of St. Louis is nothing less of encyclopedic--though unlike an encyclopedia, he takes immense and obvious pleasure in the small and large human dramas whose histories are told in buildings...

There's so much to share via our weekly HQ update today. First, I had a great trip to St. Louis (thanks again Next American City and our St. Louis hosts) and learned even more about a city I love. From the top of the arch to the doll houses of the north side to the dense brick neighborhoods to the graffiti wall along the Mississippi, it was an exciting exploration...

St. Louis' MetroLink, a light-rail system that forms a network around greater St. Louis, is a great example of a GLUE city making an important long-term change in how its residents get around town. Jeff Vines's photo of the MetroLink is an exciting depiction of the speed and impact of this rail system and how this new technology is being used in an older city...

This weekend, July 31st through August 2nd, is the last weekend of Celebrate St. Louis's summer outdoor music festival, "LIVE on the Levee." The festivities include live music performances, local outdoor dining, kid's activities, and a nightly fireworks display. Best of all, the celebration takes place along St. Louis's riverfront directly below the Gateway Arch...

Congratulations to Dave Langlois, whose fantastic photo of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis won our Monuments photo contest this week.

The tallest monument in the United States, the Gateway Arch is a national historic landmark and an iconic piece of St. Louis and Midwestern culture...