Lewis E. Reed
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Lewis E. Reed (born October 9, 1962) is the Alderman of the 6th Ward in St. Louis, Missouri.
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[edit] Education and Early Career
Reed was raised in Joliet, Illinois. He received a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science at Southern Illinois University. Reed served as the chairman of the St. Louis Port Authority (overseeing riverfront property lease agreements, and riverboat gaming tax revenues), served on the board of directors of the St. Louis Development Corporation (overseeing city business development issues and minority business certification compliance), Vice President of the 6th Ward Democratic organization, co-chair of St. Louis City Ways & Means committee (overseeing St. Louis City 420+ million dollar budget), member of St Louis Public Utilities committee (which overseeing & negotiates cable franchise agreements and technology issues facing the city), serves as a member of the Regional Justice Information Systems (REGIS) board of directors (which leverages technology to monitor and track criminal data and statistics), co-chaired Cardinal Baseball stadium hearings in St. Louis, board member of Downtown Now and Downtown Partnership.
[edit] Tenure as Alderman
As Alderman, Reed drafted and passed into Law a Technology Bill reorganizing all St. Louis City technology departments, decreasing cost and increasing efficiency. Sponsored and passed the first Community Improvement District (CID) in St. Louis with assessed properties value of over 334 million and raising millions of dollars for numerous initiatives to rebuild and market downtown. Drafted and passed the first neighborhood based TIF in the history of the city, raising over 8 million dollars to support neighborhood development plans. Along with 5 other Aldermen founded the organization named Bike St. Louis to promote cycling in St. Louis and received over $1.1 million in grants to establish Bike routes connecting Forest Park to the Riverfront and various other parks throughout the city. Reed worked with developers to expand the housing market adding hundreds of new housing units throughout the ward and 100’s of millions in new development. And, worked to expand the commercial districts throughout the ward adding many new retail and restaurants throughout the ward.
[edit] Family
Reed, his wife and children reside in St. Louis, Missouri.
[edit] Accomplishments
Thinking City-wide
Bike St. Louis began with an idea from Alderman Lewis Reed to create a way to connect the parks in the City for cyclists and to provide safe commuter options. A partnership was formed between five Aldermen--McMillan, Roddy, Conway, Young, Krewson--and Great Rivers Greenway (a.k.a. Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District).
After 9 months of planning with the other Aldermen, Trailnet, the St. Louis Bike Federation, BPS, the Streets Department and constituents from the St. Louis Area to identify safe route options, Reed and the group were then able to apply and win Federal Enhancement funds through a grant process with East/West Gateway Council of Governments.
Phase I included approximately 20 miles of routes and goes from Forest Park Parkway to the Arch, then weaves through various neighborhoods in the six participating Aldermanic--Krewson (28), McMillan (19), Roddy (17), Conway (8), Reed (6) & Young (7). It is an on-road route made up of a variety of lane types due to safety and space constraints.
Signage that marks the route and provides point of interest directions and distances was custom designed by Kiku Obata and follows MUTCD standards. Maps that display the routes and safety information are available free of charge at local cycling outlets. An educational initiative outreach program grew out of Bike St. Louis which included school based bike safety training. This was done to promote safe cycling for kids.
In Phase II, Bike St. Louis added over 50 miles of routes through all parts of the city including Metro-link stops and points of interest. Thanks to Reed's leadership, now every Alderman participates in Bike St. Louis including funding and planning of routes through their communities.
With over 70 miles of routes throughout the city and partnerships with the surrounding counties Bike St. Louis has become a successful regional effort.
Neighborhood Focus
Lafayette Square has become one of the premier historic neighborhoods in the country. As the neighborhood's Alderman, Reed worked to pass the first neighborhood tax-increment financing (TIF) in the city which will provide $8.5 million to fund the urban plan and guide the rebirth of the neighborhood.
The TIF has been key to rebuilding the infrastructure of the neighborhood which included funding for a beautiful plaza that use to be home to a junk yard, and various other street and neighborhood improvements. A neighborhood TIF was leveraged in this area because Lewis Reed believed there was a need to rebuild the fabric of the neighborhood to provide a positive impact on the quality of life for the neighborhood residents. The other benefit of the neighborhood TIF is creating an environment that fosters local business. Since passing the TIF, over 100 new homes have been added to the neighborhood, and many new businesses and five new restaurants have opened with great success.
Another neighborhood in the 6th ward, Tower Grove East is located in the central corridor bounded by Grand on the West, Shenandoah on the North, Nebraska on the East and Gravois on the South. Approximately four years ago Lewis Reed initiated a targeted plan to redevelop the neighborhood and reduce the number of vacant, abandoned properties including city-owned LRA properties. The program was a huge success sparking new developments throughout the neighborhood. Reed also sponsored and opened a state of the art police substation in the neighborhood equipping it with high speed VESPAS that are used to patrol the neighborhood and reduce crime.
Aldermanic Record
Alderman Reed serves on the following Board of Aldermen committees: Engrossment Rules, Resolutions and Credentials Health and Human Services Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Legislation Neighborhood Development , Vice-Chair Public Utilities
Ordinances passed by the Board of Aldermen sponsored by Alderman Reed: [[1]]
[edit] President of the Board of Aldermen
Lewis Reed, a long-time resident of the Compton Heights neighborhood and Alderman of the central cooridor 6th Ward officially announced today his intentions to run in the March 6, 2007, Democratic Primary for President of the Board of Aldermen in the City of St. Louis. Reed is nearing his eighth year as Alderman, representing parts of the downtown business and loft district, Fox Park, Compton Heights, Midtown, Lafayette Square and the Gate District.
In making his announcement Reed said, “It’s time to change who is seated for the next four years in the President’s chair. The economic growth of our city indicates that a successful team approach works better in the re-building of one St. Louis. The next President of the Board of Aldermen must represent all of the people and all of their interests. St. Louis is a great city, but it has many challenges. We must deal with those challenges in a progressive, professional and constructive manner. The days of old-fashion politics is harmful to the growth of the city. We must also include diversity of thought in the fiscal viability and quality of life. I bring a sense of pride, value and business acumen to the President's office.”
As the campaign moves forward with its fundraising efforts, Reed said that he and supporters are planning various city-wide community-outreach initiatives. These events will give the average citizen a chance to provide input, as well as volunteer for the campaign.
The Committee to Elect Reed will soon request that those planning to run for the office sign a Code of Ethical Conduct commitment. The commitment will keep the campaigns strictly on issues relevant to the individuals’ respective platforms and professional records to avoid personal attacks. Reed said of the commitment, "The recent response from the public in the recent elections clearly indicates what happens when negative campaigning dominates."
The Committee to Elect Reed also announced the appointment of Alderman Mike McMillan, license collector-elect and 6th ward committeewoman Beverly Buchheit, as co-chairs of this democratic campaign.
“The President's office is more critical than ever as we rebuild this City,” said 15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida, who is endorsing Reed’s candidacy. “It has to be one St. Louis coming together and Alderman Reed has demonstrated the vision and leadership to move us forward.”
Reed is a strong proponent of jobs, reinvestment and rebuilding. He continues to work in his ward with area developers to expand the housing market, add jobs, add hundreds of new homes and an ever-expanding business district with new retail shops and restaurants.
“I’ve had the opportunity of working with Alderman Reed, and witnessed his tenacious drive to help move St. Louis forward,“ said Alderwoman Dionne Flowers, who is also endorsing Reed’s candidacy. “His endless energy is readily accepted by many of his ward constitutes, colleagues and others who have city-wide interests.”
