Join us as we welcome 2025 in St. Louis! Explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for downtown development, community engagement, and upcoming municipal elections.
Image by The Newsletter ’05
This is Part 2 of a multi-part blog series featuring insights from Megan Green, the current President of the Board of Aldermen. Recently, the Argus Newspaper interviewed Megan during her campaign for the presidential role. Now, she is excited to share her vision for the future and the progress ahead for St. Louis with the community.
| Catalytic Development In the wake of the Rams’ departure for Los Angeles, many residents were rightfully concerned about the future of the Dome and convention center. Fortunately, with the arrival of the Battlehawks and $30 million from the Rams settlement, the future of America’s Center looks bright. Renovations are currently underway to add a 72,000 sq. ft. exhibition space, and a few months ago, the Dome received brand new turf and LED lights. Of course, while the success of the Dome and convention center are important, it is far from residents’ primary concern: vacancy. Among the vacancies highlighted in the Wall Street Journal, the Railway Exchange Building is the most maligned. Despite serving as Macy’s flagship department store until 2013, the 110-year-old high-rise has been vacant for a decade. In 2017, it was purchased by a prospective developer, but eight years later no progress has been made. In response, the City is currently in the process of seizing the building through eminent domain. From there, demolition of the adjacent parking garage can begin, and redevelopment of the Railway Exchange can move forward. |
Over the last year, two other high-profile vacancies have seen major strides toward renewal. The Millennium Hotel, which mirrors the story of the Railway Exchange, was purchased by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation last September. Completed in 1968, the tower’s rotating rooftop hotel was one of Downtown’s premier attractions. And while the foundation doesn’t intend to redevelop the building itself, they hope that purchasing the building will lay the groundwork for collaboration between a developer and the community to reactivate a prominent part of our skyline.
While these two historic buildings are in the early stages of redevelopment, the Jefferson Arms, a former hotel at the corner of Tucker and Locust, is nearing completion. In fact, the owner hopes to have the building completed and reopened this year, stating in October that the renovation was 70% complete. Boasting 225 hotel rooms, 235 luxury apartments, and ground-floor retail, the building—which has been vacant for nearly 20 years—will once again serve as an anchor in the heart of downtown.
Any discussion about historic downtown buildings would be incomplete without mentioning the Wainwright Building. Built in 1891, the 10-story building is considered one of the country’s first skyscrapers and has been on the National Register of Historic Places for almost 60 years. In 2024, it was announced that the state government would be moving its local offices out of the building, and many residents feared it would be next in line to sit vacant. Fortunately, in early September, Greater St. Louis Inc. purchased the property, with plans to redevelop it in the near future.
On the topic of historically significant buildings, the Old Municipal Courts Building, constructed in 1911, is one of our city’s most prominent. The structure, which is owned by the City and sits next door to City Hall, has garnered attention from a number of developers after a tour organized by SLDC was held in November.
Redeveloping historic buildings is important to maintaining density and the character of our city, but we should also acknowledge new developments happening across Downtown.
Alex Oliver, a new player in Downtown redevelopment, purchased several buildings on Washington Avenue with a vision to create a cohesive neighborhood with more permanent residents. In Downtown West, a former warehouse has become “The Victor,” housing hundreds of apartments just down the street from Energizer Park (home of St. Louis City SC); several other developments are planned nearby, including a mass timber high-rise on Locust. South of the soccer stadium, Union Station is expanding by adding an amusement park set to open in 2025.
From the Mississippi to Midtown, transformative projects are reknitting the fabric of our city. Through some avenue or another, the majority of these projects have received support from the City. Whether through seizing neglected buildings through the legal system, directly collaborating with private developers, or providing incentives, local officials have been involved every step of the way.
And while all of this development is exciting, if residents don’t feel safe Downtown, encouraging them to call Downtown home will be an uphill battle. Luckily, significant progress is being made on those fronts.
St. Louis 2025, downtown St. Louis, municipal elections, city planning, community conversation, local issues, snowstorms, committee hearings
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To be continued!
