Kirkwood Pulse • January 04, 2026
Autogenerated on Sunday, January 04, 2026 at 12:07 UTC • 5 stories from the last 36 hours.
Kirkwood Pulse • January 04, 2026
context: Kirkwood has invested significantly in making the community more walkable through infrastructure improvements like curb bump-outs and bike lanes, but speeding remains a major issue. speed_study: date: May 2024 locations_studied: 75 key_metric: 85th percentile speed findings: exceeding_threshold: 55 threshold_definition: 85th percentile drivers exceeding speed limit by more than 5 mph recommendations: -: lower speed limits -: redesign streets to slow traffic -: increase enforcement
| recommended_interventions: |
|---|
| treatment: Speed Feedback Sign |
| speed_reduction_mph: 3 |
| crash_reduction_percent: 70 |
| -: |
| treatment: Roundabouts |
| speed_reduction_mph: 6 |
| crash_reduction_percent: 75 |
| -: |
| treatment: Raised Intersections |
| speed_reduction_mph: 5 |
| crash_reduction_percent: 40 |
| -: |
| treatment: Horizontal Deflection (e.g., curb extensions) |
| speed_reduction_mph: 3 |
| crash_reduction_percent: 30 |
| -: |
| treatment: Lower Speed Limits |
| speed_reduction_mph: 4 |
| crash_reduction_percent: 25 |
| -: |
| treatment: Speed Humps/Tables |
| speed_reduction_mph: 10-20 at countermeasure |
| crash_reduction_percent: 40 |
| ongoing_and_planned_projects: |
| -: Raised intersections at Clay & Argonne and Clay & Jefferson |
| -: Lane reductions in Kirkwood Road Phase I and II projects |
| -: Curb bump-outs on Lindeman, South Geyer Big Bend, and West Essex |
| -: Sidewalk infill on East Essex between Dickson and Hill Drive (in partnership with Glendale) |
| -: Purchase of eleven speed feedback cameras costing $59,815 |
| -: Speed limit reductions on West Monroe (25 to 20 mph) and West Jefferson (20 to 15 mph) |
| analysis: |
| effectiveness: Interventions expected to reduce 85th percentile speeds by 3-6 mph and improve pedestrian safety |
| concerns: High-end speeders (99th percentile) driving extremely fast remain a challenge; some recorded top speeds may be errors or emergency vehicles |
| criticisms: |
| -: Lane reductions should extend further south on Kirkwood Road |
| -: Frustration with removal of sidewalks to avoid stop signs |
| -: Opposition to some speed limit reductions The article discusses Kirkwood's tear-down crisis, attributing it to the high cost of land. It highlights that after spending around $500,000 to purchase a lot, the additional $200,000 cost to tear down an existing small home and build a larger one is relatively minor. The piece suggests that the issue is tied to land prices rather than just housing policies. The article discusses Kirkwood's housing affordability crisis, focusing on the high cost of land as the primary barrier to preserving starter homes for young families. It argues that simply mandating smaller, affordable homes is insufficient because land prices dominate property costs. The author suggests two main strategies to reduce land costs: increasing supply by building multi-family or multi-story buildings, and breaking land into smaller parcels to lower individual lot prices. However, Kirkwood's zoning laws, which enforce minimum lot sizes ranging from 7,500 sqft to one acre, prevent lot splitting and thus limit the creation of affordable starter homes. An example is given where a 10,100 sqft lot could not be subdivided to build two modest homes, forcing owners to sell to buyers planning larger, more expensive homes. The article implies that zoning reform is necessary to revive the starter home market in Kirkwood. |
Vibe-O-Meter
- Score (0-100): 50
- Sentiment (-100..100): 0
- Mood: Even Keel
- Why: Mix of 0 positive, 5 neutral, and 0 negative stories. Average sentiment lands at 0.
Stories worth a look
- Tired of the Speeders? Turn on the Cameras. (Kirkwood Gadfly) — context: Kirkwood has invested significantly in making the community more walkable through infrastructure improvements like curb bump-outs and bike lanes, but speeding remains a major issue.
speed_study:
date: May 2024
locations_studied: 75
key_metric: 85th percentile speed
findings:
exceeding_threshold: 55
threshold_definition: 85th percentile drivers exceeding speed limit by more than 5 mph
recommendations:
-: lower speed limits
-: redesign streets to slow traffic
-: increase enforcement
recommended_interventions: treatment: Speed Feedback Sign speed_reduction_mph: 3 crash_reduction_percent: 70 -: treatment: Roundabouts speed_reduction_mph: 6 crash_reduction_percent: 75 -: treatment: Raised Intersections speed_reduction_mph: 5 crash_reduction_percent: 40 -: treatment: Horizontal Deflection (e.g., curb extensions) speed_reduction_mph: 3 crash_reduction_percent: 30 -: treatment: Lower Speed Limits speed_reduction_mph: 4 crash_reduction_percent: 25 -: treatment: Speed Humps/Tables speed_reduction_mph: 10-20 at countermeasure crash_reduction_percent: 40
ongoing_and_planned_projects: -: Raised intersections at Clay & Argonne and Clay & Jefferson -: Lane reductions in Kirkwood Road Phase I and II projects -: Curb bump-outs on Lindeman, South Geyer Big Bend, and West Essex -: Sidewalk infill on East Essex between Dickson and Hill Drive (in partnership with Glendale) -: Purchase of eleven speed feedback cameras costing $59,815 -: Speed limit reductions on West Monroe (25 to 20 mph) and West Jefferson (20 to 15 mph) analysis: effectiveness: Interventions expected to reduce 85th percentile speeds by 3-6 mph and improve pedestrian safety concerns: High-end speeders (99th percentile) driving extremely fast remain a challenge; some recorded top speeds may be errors or emergency vehicles criticisms: -: Lane reductions should extend further south on Kirkwood Road -: Frustration with removal of sidewalks to avoid stop signs -: Opposition to some speed limit reductions Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
- Kirkwood minimum lot size (Kirkwood Gadfly) — The article discusses Kirkwood's tear-down crisis, attributing it to the high cost of land. It highlights that after spending around $500,000 to purchase a lot, the additional $200,000 cost to tear down an existing small home and build a larger one is relatively minor. The piece suggests that the issue is tied to land prices rather than just housing policies. Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
- How To Revive the Starter Home (Kirkwood Gadfly) — The article discusses Kirkwood's housing affordability crisis, focusing on the high cost of land as the primary barrier to preserving starter homes for young families. It argues that simply mandating smaller, affordable homes is insufficient because land prices dominate property costs. The author suggests two main strategies to reduce land costs: increasing supply by building multi-family or multi-story buildings, and breaking land into smaller parcels to lower individual lot prices. However, Kirkwood's zoning laws, which enforce minimum lot sizes ranging from 7,500 sqft to one acre, prevent lot splitting and thus limit the creation of affordable starter homes. An example is given where a 10,100 sqft lot could not be subdivided to build two modest homes, forcing owners to sell to buyers planning larger, more expensive homes. The article implies that zoning reform is necessary to revive the starter home market in Kirkwood. Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
- String of Errors Leads to Rejection of Parking Solution (Kirkwood Gadfly) — event: Kirkwood City Council unanimously rejected a contract with Fybr for a parking technology solution on September 4th. technology: provider: Fybr description: Sensors placed under parking spaces to provide real-time occupancy data, integrated with the Park Kirkwood app and enforcement alerts for parking limits. benefits: -: Real-time parking availability for visitors -: Automated alerts for parking limit violations -: Improved enforcement efficiency compared to manual monitoring background: original_contract: period: December 3, 2020 to December 2, 2021 scope: 275 parking sensors installed at no cost to Kirkwood purpose: Proof of concept and demonstration for Fybr miscommunication: error: City staff incorrectly reported the original contract as covering 69 spots at a cost of $14,973 instead of 275 spots at no cost. impact: This mistake led to misunderstandings and influenced the council's decision. contract_lapse_and_issues: contract_expiry: December 2, 2021 ownership_transfer: Hardware ownership and maintenance responsibility transferred to Kirkwood at no cost. maintenance_problems: Gateways went offline due to power issues, causing sensor battery drain and reduced functionality. reactivation_request: City requested reactivation in January 2025; Fybr identified only 69 sensors with sufficient battery life. replacement_fee: $14,973 charged to relocate and reactivate these 69 sensors. conclusion: The council's rejection was influenced by inaccurate information and lack of a clear alternative, despite the technology's potential benefits. Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
- Council Greenlights Pitman Place (Kirkwood Gadfly) — project: name: Pitman Place location: 300 N. Kirkwood Road (former Commerce Bank site) type: 60-apartment mixed-use development developer: TriStar Properties with Stock & Associates approval_status: First reading approval granted by Kirkwood City Council on November 20th zoning_changes: residential_on_first_floor: approved (previously banned) impact: Allows larger apartments and more bedrooms, more retail space, fewer parking spaces but still compliant design_iterations: original: apartments: 1_bed_1_bath: 27 2_bed_2_bath: 27 3_bed_2_bath: 6 retail_space: original amount clubhouse_size: larger parking_spaces: original number new_plan: apartments: 1_bed: 23 2_bed: 24 3_bed: 13 retail_space: a couple hundred square feet more clubhouse_size: slightly smaller parking_spaces: 6 fewer but compliant design_features: -: Gabled facade (Concept P) -: Balconies and five direct-entrance apartments on Adams facade historical_tribute: plaque: To commemorate historic Pitman School naming: Development named after Pitman School context: zoning_code: previous_requirement: Mixed-use with commercial on ground floor along main streets rationale: Promote active street front and walkable downtown criticism: Mandate sometimes counterproductive due to parking and foot traffic issues developer_incentive: Retail included if financially viable benefit_of_change: More and larger homes, more affordable housing, less red tape approval_process: timeline: -: Original proposal submitted and scheduled for early October vote -: Developer withdrew proposal before vote to restart process -: Planning & Zoning hearing held October 15th -: Council agreed to zoning change and preferred Concept P design -: First reading approval granted November 20th public_and_council_reaction: Negative feedback on original flat, bulky design developer_response: Presented two new facade options with improved aesthetics Impact: Impact unclear based on automatically extracted text. Sentiment: neutral (0) Priority: medium Read more
Keep an eye on Tired of the Speeders? Turn on the Cameras. from Kirkwood Gadfly.