ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis says several projects and initiatives are in the works to improve safety along Chippewa Street near Ted Drewes.

St. Louis community members have advocated for more safety around Ted Drewes and Chippewa Street in recent years after a few tragic incidents, including a 2022 hit-and-run crash in the area that resulted in the death of a high school student.

Recently, the St. Louis Water Division installed a bollard to protect a fire hydrant on the north side of Chippewa across from Ted Drewes. After previous crashes involving the hydrant, the bollard intends to prevent future collisions.

Additionally, the city is planning ahead for “construction of traffic calming and safety improvements” at the start of next year.

Rasmus Jorgensen, the deputy director of communications for the St. Louis Mayor’s Office, tells FOX 2 that the improvements are currently scheduled between January and March 2025, during Ted Drewes’ offseason.

“This project has been delayed, in part because traffic signal equipment has a very long lead time and is an integral component of the phasing of the project, and because Ted Drewes has had many requests for changes to the design, and the City has worked diligently with them to find the best solution,” said Jorgensen in a statement to FOX 2.

Safety improvements planned around Chippewa Street, according to Jorgensen, include:

Relocation of the east parking lot entrance at Ted Drewes

Construction of a new accessible signalized midblock crossing

Improved lighting for increased visibility

Installation of a new PTZ  (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera tied into the Real Time Crime Center for increased security

Construction of a new bump-out with bollards and fencing to corral and separate patrons from vehicular traffic out in front of Ted Drewes