Explore how safety concerns impact the experience of residents and tourists in downtown areas. Discover strategies to enhance security and create a welcoming environment for all.
Deep Dive: The Future of Downtown Part 3
Image by Argus Staff
Public Safety and Connectivity
Regardless of which part of the City someone visits, feeling safe is their main concern. Both residents and tourists are less likely to spend time Downtown if they encounter—or are fearful of—crime.
In the last five years, crime in St. Louis has dropped significantly—violent crime in particular is at its lowest point since 2013. Between 2022 and 2023, the City reported a “21% reduction in homicides,” building on the “25% drop in homicides from 2020 to 2021.” Police Chief Tracy and Circuit Attorney Gore have been instrumental in spurring this positive trend. On the other side of the coin, no matter how often we cite statistics, we have to understand that our feelings about an issue lag behind reality. And right now, people feel differently.
Those feelings may be, in part, linked to a string of Downtown shootings at parties held at short-term rentals (STRs) last year. Those incidents led to the passage of Board Bill 33, which requires operators to, among other things, list their properties with a 2-night booking minimum and designate an agent to serve as a local point of contact. Building on those regulations, Prop S—which passed last November—charges STR operators a 3% fee per occupied night. Half of the collected fees will support the creation of affordable housing and the remaining half will fund relocation assistance and eviction counsel for tenants.
Downtown is, first and foremost, a neighborhood. However, without residents on the streets, it can feel more like a transient, temporary space for hotels, offices, and tourists. Regulating and reducing STRs can increase affordability by adding more long-term housing to the market, which, in turn, brings people back to the neighborhood.
A commonly held belief among researchers is that more eyes and ears on the street reduces instances of crime, as people generally feel safer on streets with large crowds. Additionally, the “Busy Streets” theory posits that well-maintained streets also reduce crime—people are more likely to spend time outside when empty lots are mowed, trash cans are empty, and sidewalks are maintained. It’s essentially the opposite of the “Broken Window” theory, which says that deteriorated neighborhoods increase crime. Creating vibrant Downtown streets through retail and residential development is an important part of aligning feelings with data.
One strategy that attracts more residents is transit-oriented development (TOD). In practice, this means incentivizing developments by amending zoning codes, investing in strategic projects, and incentivizing development along transit corridors, encouraging density near bus and MetroLink stops. Board Bill 13, introduced by Alderman Cohn and passed in August, does just that for the future Green Line. The new line will run along Jefferson from Chippewa to Natural Bridge, with a transfer station with the red and blue lines in Downtown West. This creates car-free connectivity between Downtown and the rest of the City and incentivizes new developments along Jefferson.
As for the Busy Streets theory, many beautification and traffic safety projects are already underway, and many will be completed in the next few years. St. Louis’ major north-south corridors are getting complete overhauls in terms of street design and pedestrian safety. Several of which—Jefferson, Gravois/Tucker, and Broadway—pass through or near Downtown. These overhauls include lane reductions, bump-outs, protected crosswalks, bike paths, wider sidewalks, and speed humps. Additionally, construction is underway on the 7th Street redesign between America’s Center and Ballpark Village, making a vital pedestrian corridor easier to walk down and bolstering businesses along the route.
| The Brickline Greenway, an interconnected bike and pedestrian path connecting major public parks to the Arch grounds, continues to make headway through the central corridor. The first segment, along Market beside Energizer Park, has been complete for some time. And now, a section between Energizer Park to Harris-Stowe is under construction. Eventually, that segment will travel through SLU’s campus and the City Foundry to a bike path on Vandeventer, which will extend north to Fairground Park and south to the Tower Grove Connector. These projects, and those that will break ground in the near future, have the potential to transform the way people move through Downtown. Moreover, reducing traffic violence alongside criminal violence will go a long way to aligning our perception of safety to the statistical realities. Moving Forward My vision for Downtown St. Louis is one of revitalization. Today, through a combination of public-private partnerships and commitments from elected officials, we are positioned to reshape our city’s front door into a vibrant, thriving neighborhood. I co-sponsored the TRANSFORM STL Act, introduced by Alderwoman Sonnier and supported Mayor Jones, because it offers a variety of benefits for neighborhoods across our city—including Downtown. As a neighborhood, Downtown would have access to key programs outlined in the bill, including investments in infrastructure improvements, support for new residential development, and street safety initiatives. Additionally, the funding appropriated in the bill can match federal, state, or corporate contributions, effectively doubling the resources available for a range of projects. Additionally, the projects outlined in this newsletter are being developed by a diversity of stakeholders—local government, non-profits, and corporations. Public-private partnerships are among the most effective tools we have to drive real change. While the resources we can dedicate as a governing body are limited, matching funds from the private sector significantly expand what’s possible. When we pair those contributions with federal or state grants and funding opportunities, we unlock the potential for serious, transformative investments—not just Downtown, but across the entire City. Leaders, public and private, understand that open communication is key to these partnerships. And as I said in my inaugural address—if you have ever, for any reason, thought my door was closed to you, try it again today. The path to revitalizing Downtown won’t be without challenges, but it’s important to remember that progress is being made and we are gaining momentum. Local leaders are actively working to make Downtown safer, more connected, and more vibrant. By continuing to work collaboratively and highlighting small victories alongside large-scale transformations, we will create a Downtown St. Louis that works for everyone. |
Downtown safety, crime prevention, tourism safety, community security, urban safety measures, resident concerns, visitor experience
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