The Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative is a new approach to revitalize nine neighborhood areas in the St. Louis region. It combines physical development and infrastructure improvements with human service support and community-based economic development. A Neighborhood Leadership Team oversees the development of a comprehensive neighborhood plan for each cluster.

Sustainable Neighborhoods is an initiative of St. Louis 2004 and its implementing entities, Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) and Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance (RHCDA).

Fox Park is part of the Sustainable Neighborhood cluster that includes Gravois Park, Benton Park West, and McKinley Heights. The planning process is currently under way for these neighborhoods.

UPDATE

Implementation of the physical development piece of the Sustainable Neighborhoods Plan is finally underway. In October the Sustainable Neighborhoods Development Office (SNDO) requested a list of physical development priorities from each of the four South Side Sustainable Neighborhoods. For Fox Park, the 2600 & 2700 blocks of Shenandoah Avenue have been identified as the target area for Phase I development. This target area was selected based on resident input received during the SNI planning process.

On January 16, 2003 a request for funding was submitted for approval to Area Resources for Human and Community Services (ARCHS). If approved ARCHS, the SNDO, and the Regional Housing and Community Development Alliance (RHCDA) will then seek funding sources to help implement Phase I physical development projects in Fox Park.

This request for funding, which was drafted with assistance from DeSales Housing, proposes a combination of new construction, substantial rehabilitation, and owner improvements to address the housing needs of Shenandoah Avenue. In total approximately 18 units of housing will either be newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated and sold to owner occupants.

The Sustainable Neighborhood Initiative is focused on achieving
the following twelve goals:

1. Parents working

2. Young children ready to enter school

3. Children and youth succeeding in school

4. Children and families healthy

5. Youth ready to enter the workforce and become productive citizens

6. Children safe in their families and families safe in their communities

7. Residents organized to pursue the best interests of the neighborhood

8. Residents have access to safe and effective transportation systems

9. Residents have access to decent and affordable housing

10. Residents live in neighborhoods with quality parks, open space, recreational institutions, community centers, and a clean environment

11. Residents have access to financial capital for homes, businesses, and personal needs.

12. A public information system links residents to resources and opportunities throughout the region