St. Louis is moving towards protecting its mid-century architectural treasures. Some see the buildings as impediments to economic development.
Margaret Gillerman catalogs the increasing awareness of, and recent efforts to protect, some of St Louis's mid-century architecture such as the flying saucer shaped Del Taco restaurant and a neighborhood of 50 ranch homes in the city of Kirkwood. A plan for a new CVS threatens an existing gem.
"Andrew Weil, executive director of Landmarks Association, defends the style against naysayers who say they just don't get what all the fuss is about. 'A lot of people may not like or appreciate Mid-Century design,' Weil said. 'Like it or not, it was an important phase in the evolution of architectural design in this country, city and area.'
Weil added: 'People's aesthetic tastes change over time.' At one point, St. Louis' signature Victorian architecture was considered gaudy and unattractive, he said. 'Now we love it.'
FULL STORY: Those '50s ranch homes are finally getting some architectural respect

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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