MoDOT grants $2.6 million for bike trails along Olive Street
	U. City presented plans and drawings at January OBA meeting

By Willa Boisseau
Scanews Senior Editor

       The Olive Business Association held its monthly meeting in the Heman 
Park Community Center in University City on Tuesday, January 8.  The main 
topic for the meeting was the projected Bike Trails through U. City.
       Peter Green, architect with Horner and Shifrin, Inc., presented plans 
and drawings of the new bike routes.  The main route will run from the 
eastern end of Olivette along Olive Street to the City of St. Louis. 
Alternate trails will extend along already paved streets and pathways through 
and past parks, schools and city areas of University City.  Eventually the 
main route will connect through the City of St. Louis to the Katy Trail into 
mid-state Missouri and possibly beyond.
       Rebecca Grunbaum, Project Manager for the University City Department 
of Public Works, added an overview of the two phases of construction, and 
answered questions from the business representatives.
       Grants for the trails are being administered by the Missouri 
Department of Transportation (MoDOT).  MoDOT, through the Federal Government, 
will provide $2.6 million, and University City will contribute $600,000.  
Sidewalk improvements, landscaping, many banners, and other additions to the 
Olive Street scene will be provided from these funds.
       When the two stages of construction are completed, there will be a 
total of 17 miles of paved bikeway, including presently existing roadway, 
through University City, plus much needed beautification of the Olive Street 
area.
       Ralph Broeker, Royal Bank representative, said that winners of the 
High School Banner Design Contest will be announced  after the first of 
February.
       A discussion of parking for the Olive Street area was an important 
part of the meeting.  Cassandra Colquitt and Arthur Sharpe, Jr., University 
City Council members who attended the meeting, will present requests for help 
with this major problem to the City Council.
       The next meeting of the OBA will be held on Tuesday, February 12.  
More information on the subjects reviewed here may be obtained by contacting 
Rebecca Grunbaum at the Department of Public Works, University City City 
Hall.