St. Joseph Plans for ''Mo'' Scenic Boulevards

The early 20th century city designers in St. Joseph, Mo. built scenic parkways and boulevards for the city, like this roadway to Hyde Park.

St. Joseph, Mo. has initiated a boulevard master plan that continues the intent of the early 20th century designers of the city's parkway and boulevard system.

The original parkway took drivers along a scenic, meandering roadway in the middle of the city from Krug Park to Hyde Park.

The new plan calls for scenic boulevards in the newer eastern areas of the city. City planner Mike Kellam explains the plan as a ''necklace for the city,'' wide streets and grassy medians, trees and shrubs, with bike lanes and wide sidewalks. The plan, he said, needs to be functional and aesthetically pleasing to attract developers.

The Missouri chapter of the American Planning Association likes the idea, too, giving St. Joseph its 2009 Outstanding Special Community Initiative Plan award. City officials point out the ''necklace'' won't be happening overnight. This is a long-range plan that will occur over the coming decades and be contingent on the economy and new development.