Two Missouri Cities Adopt Complete Streets Policy

Two cities in Missouri have become the first in the state to adopt Complete Streets ordinances. The cities of DeSoto and Ferguson, in cooperation with the not-for-profit organization Trailnet, have developed Complete Streets policies, which when implemented will require the communities to “design, build, and maintain streets in a manner that accommodates safe and contiguous travel for all users—seniors, persons with disabilities, children, pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and cars.”

“Complete Streets legislation has been popping up across the country at various levels of government and is often cited as the beginning of a more comprehensive commitment to building healthier communities,” said Phil Valko, Trailnet Active Living Program Manager. “Complete Streets means more walkers and bikers, therefore healthier individuals; more walkers and bikers means more neighbor-to-neighbor interaction, resulting in stronger communities; and less driving means less pollution, resulting in a healthier environment.”

Complete Streets is an innovative solution to the obesity epidemic, supporting increased independence of the aging population and encouraging the creation of safe routes for children walking or biking to school.

As mentioned in the minutes of the Ferguson City Council Meeting in which this ordinance was adopted, the city staff does currently take many of these principles in mind when planning public works projects; however, they were not captured in the municipal code. This ordinance will provide a specific reference to Complete Streets in the policy of the city and provide for a method to ensure that this is investigated in every instance. It is also important to note that such an ordinance is now being requested as an element of many construction-related grants that the city may be eligible for, including the Safe Routes to School Program, and will be very beneficial for the city in pursuing funding mechanisms.

Complete Streets was a direct result of Ferguson City Councilman Dwayne James’s presence at a Probike/Prowalk conference that he attended in September. It goes hand in hand with what the city is doing with Live-Well Ferguson to make sure that all residents and all visitors can actually go from route to route safely and enjoy their travels through Ferguson.

The city of DeSoto received one of the Healthy Living Awards presented by Trailnet and was recently recognized with an OLGA (Outstanding Achievement in Local Government Award) presented by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments for the Get Healthy DeSoto Program.