Proposition P, The Safe and Accessible Arch and Public Parks Initiative, will be on the April 2 ballot in St. Louis City and County. I’m supporting Proposition P for many reasons and I ask you to join me.
Prop P will allow voters in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County to increase their sales tax by 3/16 of one cent to increase safety and accessibility across the Gateway Arch grounds, protect natural areas and wildlife habitat, and improve parks and trails.
Sixty percent of the funds raised will be dispersed to Great Rivers Greenway and used to improve and expand more than 250 miles of trails and 20,000 acres of existing land in St. Louis City and County. The St. Louis Arch grounds will be improved by making accessibility easier and safer for visitors, the elderly and those with disabilities.
The measure comes with strict accountability and public disclosure requirements. There will be full public disclosure on how the funds are expended. In addition, the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County will receive more funding for local park improvements.
Prop. P will put people back to work and stimulate our local economy, creating 530 construction jobs and 4,400 permanent, new jobs. In the City of St. Louis, we have workforce goals for this type of project. These include a goal of 25 percent participation by minority-owned businesses and 5 percent participation for women-owned businesses.
Not only will Prop. P create good-paying jobs and have a positive impact on our community but we will maintain a world-class attraction like the Arch and improve and expand our local parks and trails. Passage of Prop. P will also make the City more attractive to young people and families.
Currently, Great Rivers Greenway is heavily involved in updating our community like Ruth Porter Park along Delmar. The nine-block park was named in honor of Ruth Porter, a civil rights and fair housing advocate, and was a gathering place for area residents.
Over time, however, the park fell into a state of disarray and became a dangerous blight in the community. In coordination with the Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church, the West End Neighborhood Association and others, Ruth Porter Park was gutted and renovated. Neighborhood kids got involved by building new benches and replacing old trash cans. Today, Ruth Porter Park has a fresh look and a bright future.
Another great example is the St. Vincent Greenway, which will connect North County near the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus to Forest Park. The newest section that just opened was a 1.3 mile trail which runs north from Delmar and through Ruth Porter park. This will improve the quality of life for residents along the trail. T
he trail also includes brighter lighting and flattened paths, which will increase visibility for trail users and ADA grading at each intersection along the path.
We will also keep people in our region and help our community grow by passing Prop. P. In today’s world, it is more important than ever to preserve places where children can safely run, play, and experience nature. This measure will expand the metro areas’ system of parks, trails, and natural areas, giving more kids and families access to outdoor activities that will improve their overall physical health and wellbeing.
Proposition P is good for our communities, our families and our children. Please join me on April 2 and vote Yes on Prop P.
Tishaura O. Jones is Treasurer of the City of St. Louis.
