St. Louis residents can now shape city policies through an innovative online platform.
ST. LOUIS — Aldermanic President Megan Green is encouraging city residents to share their ideas for new policies through a public online portal launched earlier this month. The initiative, called Speak Up, St. Louis, is designed to expand opportunities for civic participation and make city government more accessible.
The portal allows residents to submit proposals, vote on others, and engage in discussion. Over the next six months, ideas that gather at least 150 votes will be formally reviewed by Green’s staff. If a proposal is considered viable, a memo will be circulated among aldermen and the public, with the possibility of advancing to legislation. Those that are not adopted will receive an explanation from the board president’s office.
This is not the first time Green has used digital engagement tools. Last year, the same software collected community feedback on how the city should spend its $250 million settlement from the Rams’ relocation. Hundreds of residents contributed suggestions, and while disagreements among aldermen stalled many of the proposals, the process itself was recognized as a meaningful step in transparency and even received positive attention from the state auditor.
So far ideas submitted through the new portal have addressed significant local issues such as affordable housing, tornado recovery, recycling improvements, building vacancy, safer roads, and enhanced public transit infrastructure. Suggestions also include the addition of more bus shelters and replacing certain stoplights with roundabouts to improve traffic flow.
Community advocates see the platform as an opportunity to highlight both immediate neighborhood needs and long-term policy solutions. The initiative also provides a way for residents who cannot attend city meetings to still participate in civic life.
Although no proposal has yet reached the 150-vote threshold required for official review, the portal continues to grow in popularity. Organizers expect that, as more residents learn about Speak Up, St. Louis, substantive proposals will rise to the top and help guide future policy discussions at City Hall.
#SpeakUpSTL #CivicEngagement #StLouis
