Webster Groves moves forward on Big Bend streetscape design tied to St. Louis County federal project

Samantha, a city staff member, told the Webster Groves Business District Commission that “the agreement, with the engineer to, design the streetscape elements, under the St. Louis County's project, was approved last night, by city council.”

The commission heard that the city will execute the contract and provide it to the consultant so design work can begin. Staff said they expect a roughly two- to three-month design schedule with progress reviews the commission will see at its monthly meetings.

The project will be coordinated with St. Louis County’s project because the county’s work is funded by a federal grant and requires additional reviews and approvals. Samantha said the county aims to finish design this fall and move to any necessary right-of-way work in federal fiscal year 2027.

Commission members asked about lighting and accessibility. Samantha said the light fixtures for the streetscape will match the Old Orchard business district standards and that staff has been asked to ensure fixtures are dark-sky compliant and use LED luminaires. “I've been asked, to make sure that they are dark skies, compliant also,” she said.

Samantha also said the preliminary layout will determine the number and placement of poles and that a preliminary “light push” will be done early in the design so the commission can provide input before detailed design.

The commission will receive schedules and design reviews as the consultant develops them. No final construction contract or construction schedule was presented at the meeting; staff described these steps as future actions tied to county approvals and federal grant timing.

Commissioners who participated said they wanted to ensure the commission’s input is incorporated in preliminary layouts and that dark-sky and ADA-access considerations are included before final design.