Maplewood City Manager Marty Corcoran told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after the city council meeting on Tuesday that he doesn’t expect the matter of the ‘Big M’ to come before city council before the summer.
A group, including Maplewood commercial property owner, Rob Birenbaum and president of Frontenac Engineering, Bill Berthold, presented a proposal for a large ‘M’ to bridge across Manchester Road in the 7100 block at the March 8 meeting. The ‘M’ would identify the city and have a positive impact, especially on the east end, Berthold said in the March 8 meeting.
Corcoran said he doesn’t expect the council to consider it before July; that’s when city budget will be completed. The estimated cost is $320,000 and the city is being asked to contribute $150,000.
Also, during the meeting on Tuesday, the council approved a $343,264 bid for improvements at Kellogg Park to cover construction of a pavilion and restrooms. Corcoran said a grant will cover all but $68,653 of the project.
Read the full post in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Maybe this is an effort by the City to increase attendance at City Counsel meetings…
With all the tax increases we have and will have, why would anyone want to waste money on a big M? If this would truly be funded (and maintained) by private dollars, why not donate to other needed groups in Maplewood? This M would be a big waste of Money.
Maplewood Council,
Please tell me the ”Big M” proposal is an April Fool joke that came out too early.
It’s a big BM alright.
I agree, it is horrible. As someone who lives on the east side of Maplewood I sincerely hope the city comes to its sense and votes this down. Such a terrible, terrible idea.
I think the M could be an attractive addition, but with the new Majorette sign, it almost seems like a duplication of effort. The big M for that new business actually does the dual job of advertising itself, and of proclaiming the entrance to Maplewood.
Good idea; ill-advised design.
absolutely the ugliest idea. not to mention a complete waste of tax payer dollars. And tax payers will foot the bill to operate and repair this junk.
This “M” is just an awful idea. Granted, this horrendous rendering, which could have been better done with Microsoft Paint, sure doesn’t make it look more attractive. I think many will agree with me when I say that $320,000 could be spend much more wisely. City Council, please do not approve this expensive and tacky addition to our cozy, historic neighborhood.