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When St. Joseph residents talk about having "the best of both worlds," the topic usually involves community size, not a combination of Jesse James and the Pony Express. St. Joseph does have something of a split personality--but one that many communities might envy. On one hand this city features a number of quiet neighborhoods where residents can enjoy sitting on their porch, rarely lock their doors and children still play in the street. People even know the names of their neighbors. Yet St. Joe also hosts major regional sporting events, a diverse arts community and other amenities that would be welcome in many larger cities. A high tech fiber optic network already links much of the city and St. Joseph's life science initiative is in place and growing. Even the historic downtown area is undergoing a renaissance that includes specialty shops, restaurants and loft housing. St. Joseph really is both a "small big city" and a "big small town," offering some of the best aspects of both. Families First St. Joe's "family friendly" personality is perhaps the most reoccurring theme of this topic. Although St. Joseph offers a growing nightlife and urban entertainment choices, school events are still major social activities. Churches and religious organizations play a major role throughout the community. This is definitely a town where the question is asked, Is it good for the children? Other small-town features are among the most cherished by St. Joseph residents. They talk about being able to drive anywhere in minutes, "even in rush hour." They obviously relish their community festivals and events, including a few that might be considered old-fashioned in more urban settings. They take pride in St. Joe's ability to team up on issues and opportunities. At times, their success stories sound like early settlers recalling a community barn raising. This teamwork is something that comes up a lot here. In the past decade, St. Joe has faced several serious setbacks, including the 1993 and 1995 floods, and several major plant closings. Although every community must cooperate to survive, St. Joseph's ability to quickly marshal diverse forces is not only strong, but surprisingly so. The city's economic progress is one of the best examples. Starting with plant closings that unemployed sizable percentages of the labor force during the 1990s, the community established several public/private partnerships that have achieved significant and tangible results. Size Does Count One reason is that St. Joe's size is often an advantage. Big enough to bring real muscle to bear, the city is small enough to successfully tackle its problems. St. Joseph has its share of committees and long-range studies, but at the end of the day these efforts usually result in action. The examples of teamwork tell a lot about the city in other ways as well. St. Joseph's most active business park, its Port Authority and even the downtown revitalization are all collaborative efforts. So are its major arts programs. The community is also mature enough to deal with questions not everyone likes. Current growth and redevelopment have raised identity issues that sometimes set old-fashioned individualism against much-needed community improvement. Although answering these questions will ultimately take months or even years, St. Joseph is addressing the issues with the same spirit of teamwork that typifies most of its efforts. City programs to clean up some of the area's more blighted neighborhoods and establish a community-wide trash service are good examples. Although St. Joe has experienced the kind of debate that is typical of such issues, the community has made significant progress with its cleanup while returning several properties back to private development. Getting There For outsiders, the most misunderstood element of St. Joseph may be geography. Many Kansas City residents view St. Joseph as a convenient rest stop on I-29. If pressed to find the city on a map, they usually start too far north, near the Iowa line. St. Joseph is actually closer to Kansas City International Airport than many parts of Kansas City including portions of Johnson and Jackson County. Far enough away to have its own identity, St. Joseph is close enough for a night "on the town" if residents want something beyond local offerings. This unique location is a major part of St. Joe's identity. Rural, even isolated areas of northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas surround the city. Miles of farmland and extensive wildlife areas are accessible in every direction. At the same time, business opportunities and urban life are easily accessible in St. Joseph or nearby Kansas City. Residents even joke about their wardrobe choices: jeans for driving north to rural Missouri, suits for the drive south to K.C. Another St. Joe geographic amenity is the Missouri River. Many communities struggle to come to grips with having this great river in their backyard. St. Joseph already operates both a successful industrial port and a recreational river landing. St. Joseph is also developing a riverwalk and nature center that will be unique to Missouri and neighboring states. Tastes Great, Less Filling St. Joseph might not be for everyone, but its unique size offers a number of real surprises. Both individuals and businesses appreciate the combination small-town atti-tudes and big city amenities--although like the television beer commercial, they may debate which is the most important. The real story involves new residents and businesses that deliberately select St. Joseph because of this unique mix of features. With miles of fiber optic cable and a high-tech industrial base, St. Joe is well positioned to offer a small-town lifestyle with big city benefits to individuals and organizations.
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