Wise Avenue residents continue to question city’s plan, process

For seven months, concerned residents have been in discussions with the city of Richmond Heights about pending reconstruction of streets and sidewalks on Wise Ave. While city officials call the project an enhancement, a group of home owners and tenants are frustrated with city hall and will not give up until they feel their concerns have been addressed.

While the plan itself has been in development since 2011, awareness rose last fall when city officials mailed letters requesting construction right of way easements.

After the letters went out, residents took notice and began to ask questions about the specifics of the construction. Among their concerns were the planned removal of old growth trees and new sidewalks slated to be changed from three feet to five feet wide. In some cases, five foot wide sidewalks encroach significantly into already small front yards.

“When the grant was applied for, the plans included four foot sidewalks. When did it change to five foot sidewalks? Who made that change? We don’t need five foot sidewalks,” said Walter Moss.

So who made the change and why? According to Assistant City Manager David Gipson the larger sidewalks will “enhance accessibility” and that five foot sidewalks are standard in new street construction. He acknowledged that the plans did indeed “evolve.” It remains unclear who requested the wider sidewalks and who approved the change.

It’s not only the plans that have residents frustrated, but the treatment they feel they have received from city hall.

“We only found out about this in November,” said Mary Petersen. “Then in February we’re told that the plans are set in stone. These plans make major changes to the integrity of the neighborhood and we had no input.”

Gipson recognized that “public awareness was low at the beginning,” but added “We have not turned down a meeting with the residents and we have left no question unanswered.”

With construction scheduled to begin this summer, the city still needs two right of way documents signed.The residents who are holding out will meet with Gipson and MoDOT who hope to obtain the homeowners’ signatures.

While the engaged citizens on Wise Avenue want street and sidewalk improvements, they also want the city to listen to and accommodate their concerns. But they remain frustrated.

“According to a government structure in the annual report, the residents are supposed to be in charge,” said Moss. “But in this case, we’re not.”