Downtown Now! Newsletter
November 1998

DOWNTOWN
REVITALIZATION
OFF TO A FAST START

It's been just 13 months since Mayor Clarence Harmon formed Downtown Now! to develop and implement a fast-track, five- to ten-year action plan for revitalizing downtown St. Louis. Today, after five major public workshops and countless other meetings involving thousands of St. Louis residents, the optimism and enthusiasm created throughout the community have prompted the jump start of many exciting projects. Who would have imagined that so much could have been accomplished in such a short time and before the final draft of the plan is even ready for release?

NationsBank took the lead in March with its commitment to invest $100 million in downtown revitalization projects, and the business community, as well as individuals, have been quick to take up the challenge.

Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, the Washington Avenue Loft District, a key focus of Downtown Now!'s urban design plan, will receive $4 million to be used for streetscape improvements. This funding, part of the Fiscal Year 1999 Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies Appropriations Bill, will be used to widen sidewalks, install streetlights and create pocket parks and open spaces along Washington Avenue between 10^th and 18^th streets.

The improvements will expedite the expansion of a residential community in this area, one of five downtown districts to receive primary attention under the revitalization plan. David Darnell, a co-chair of Downtown Now! and president of NationsBank Midwest, noted that an inviting streetscape is critical to making an area look and feel like a neighborhood that will draw more residents and businesses.

He describes the $4 million grant as "a huge shot in the arm for the development of Washington Avenue."

Richard Flemming, president of RCGA and a Downtown Now! co-chair, said, "The announcement of the grant shows how governmental leaders at all levels can bring resources to the revitalization effort and underscores the fact that we are moving forward with action on agreed-upon elements of the downtown development plan, even as the plan is being completed."

Renovation began with the 1993 loft district plan and has continued to take off after Missouri approved a historic preservation tax credit in 1997. Downtown Now!'s planning consultants believe there is a market for nearly 1,300 new residential units there over the next five years.

Also located on Washington Avenue will be the 1,000-room Convention Center Hotel, which would include the old Gateway and Lenox hotels and a new 30-story tower. The city has received $22 million in funds and loan guarantees from HUD for the project. A 200-room luxury Drury Inn is under construction. In addition, a 200-room Westin Hotel and the conversion of the Edison Brothers Warehouse into a 100-suite hotel, 80-condos and retail space are proposed. A 450-room hotel at Laclede's Landing is being discussed. The three-story Monkey Bar and Polly Esthers, a '70s disco club have opened.

To hear what other exciting things are in the works, come to the Dec. 8 presentation at the City Hall Rotunda, located at 1200 Market Street!