TOMORROW: Join SLDC and the Green City Coalition alongside the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) for a kickback at Peace Park.

🗺️🤝 A community-guided roadmap for six North St. Louis neighborhoods has been formally adopted by the City of St. Louis Planning Commission. This week, SLDC presented Project Connect’s OurPlan initiative, helping move forward a long-term vision for St. Louis Place, Old North St. Louis, Jeff-Vander-Lou, Carr Square, Columbus Square and Hyde Park. Led by SLDC Neighborhood Transformation Managers Curtis Griggs and Melissa Garcia, the plan reflects years of resident engagement and focuses on housing and vacancy, economic development, transportation, arts and culture, historic preservation, sustainability and more. As Curtis shared with @stlpublicradio, OurPlan will serve as a launchpad for collaboration as partners work to align resources, identify opportunities and advance neighborhood revitalization in North St. Louis. Read more: stlpr.org/government-politic…

🎙️ Hear SLDC President and CEO Stephen Westbrooks on @FOX2now discuss the 2026 Mayor’s Celebration of Businesses luncheon, taking place Oct. 1. ⬇️ Watch the interview: fox2now.com/news/missouri/ma… Reserve your seat: developstlouis.org/luncheon

In Downtown West, a 100-year-old building has been reimagined as one of St. Louis’ most distinctive destinations: 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis. With support from SLDC through tax abatement and public infrastructure coordination, the $90 million adaptive reuse development brings together hospitality, public art, local partnerships and community programming while honoring the property’s history and contributing to the City of St. Louis’ future. A "different penguin" from other 21c Museum Hotel properties, the St. Louis location emphasizes community connection and local impact. As Chris Randall, director of community impact at 21c St. Louis, puts it: "It's less about simply putting heads in beds and more about being a resource to the city." Learn more about 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis in SLDC’s latest Business Spotlight: ow.ly/vQZ950ZLByE

Peace Park’s community celebration is back on the calendar! 🎉🍂 SLDC and the Green City Coalition are partnering with the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) for the September Kickback at Peace Park on Saturday, Sept. 19. The event is open to everyone and will feature community resources from dozens of OVP partners, along with free ice cream, live music, grilling and other family-friendly activities. Join us as we celebrate the continued momentum at Peace Park, where the first phase of revitalization is already serving as a neighborhood gathering place in College Hill. 📆 Saturday, Sept. 19 | 2 to 5 p.m. 📍 Peace Park | E. Grand and Strodtman Place

Homeownership can create stability, opportunity and a deeper sense of belonging in St. Louis. Programs like SLDC's HomeSTL are helping make that future possible for first-time homebuyers across the city. The strong demand reflects the need for resources that make homeownership more accessible and help build a stronger, more inclusive city. Read more from @ksdknews about how HomeSTL is helping families in St. Louis build a stronger future: ksdk.com/article/news/local/… 🚨 Please be advised that SLDC is no longer accepting reservation requests for the HomeSTL Downpayment Assistance Program, as all funds are fully reserved as of 8/31/26. If you are a participating lender and have already submitted a reservation request, your client has been placed on a waiting list. Should reserved funds become available, we will only consider buyers from the waiting list who are under contract for the purchase of a home with a closing date on or before September 30, 2026. These requests will be processed in the date order their eligibility packet was completed.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding has helped the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority (LRA), staffed by SLDC, tackle vacancy and accelerate demolition, lot maintenance and property reuse work across the city. As this once-in-a-generation investment comes to a close, SLDC is proud to highlight how the funding has supported the LRA’s work. With support from ARPA funding, the LRA has: ✔️ Demolished more than 500 dilapidated homes through its Demolition Program ✔️ Maintained and cleaned more than 2,100 vacant lots through its Beautification Program ✔️ Reduced its inventory from roughly 10,000 parcels to about 9,000 ✔️ Invested $6.5 million and transferred up to 50 parcels to support 50 new homes in North St. Louis Jasmine Cannon with the LRA spoke with KMOV about how this work helps clear the way for future development, neighborhood investment and new partnerships. Learn more about ARPA funding’s impact in St. Louis: firstalert4.com/2026/08/22/f…

SLDC and the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) are seeking qualified partners for two current opportunities to strengthen operations, public resources and neighborhood-focused development in St. Louis. 👇 💡 Residential Brokerage Services for Infill Housing Pilot Program: LCRA is seeking residential real estate brokerage services to help bring approximately 15 newly constructed homes to market through the Infill Housing Pilot Program. Proposals are due Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. 💡 Financial Systems & Process Modernization Consultant: SLDC is seeking a consultant or consulting firm to assess current financial systems and develop a roadmap for more efficient workflows, real-time reporting and stronger data-driven financial insights. Proposals are due Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. A pre-submission conference for the Financial Systems & Process Modernization Consultant RFP will be held virtually Monday, Aug. 31, at 4 p.m. Questions for this RFP must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 11, to Dontrinia Baxton at baxtond@stlouis-mo.gov. View current procurement opportunities and full RFP details: stlouis-mo.gov/government/de…

Community Connectivity: To support downtown revitalization & digital inclusion goals, the City of St. Louis partnered with SmartWAVE Technologies to deploy a free public Wi-Fi network throughout key downtown areas & public parks. The solution delivers secure, reliable broadband access in outdoor public spaces, helping bridge the digital divide for underserved and unserved communities while enhancing connectivity for residents, visitors, students & local businesses. #ConnectSTL piped.video/watch?v=Dg9zolZj…

Because of a $1M North St. Louis Small Business & Non-Profit Grant Program award, Upsilon Omega Center was able to install a new HVAC system, renovate the interior & newly resurface an ADA-accessible parking lot. These enhancements strengthen the organization's ability to provide programs, services & community events while ensuring the facility remains a reliable resource for generations to come. Congratulations to Upsilon Omega Center!

📅September 1: How to Train Your Bookkeeper with Quickbooks at the #NEEC. Learn to understand cash flow, avoid bookkeeping mistakes & use reports to make decisions. Register: ow.ly/8Ilx50ZAHp6

SLDC President and CEO Stephen Westbrooks joined St. Louis Magazine Business Editor Eric Schmid on “The 314 Podcast” for a conversation about our role in helping shape St. Louis’ economic future. Reflecting on leading SLDC, Stephen emphasized the breadth of partners and stakeholders who engage with the agency, and the importance of making it easier for developers, small businesses, community organizations and public partners to invest in the city. He also shared his vision for SLDC as a leading organization in the city’s development ecosystem — one that helps reduce barriers, lower risk for investment, reposition underused land and buildings, and connect public resources with private investment. 🎙️ Listen to the full conversation in @stlmag: stlmag.com/podcasts/314-podc…

A long-vacant property in Tower Grove South is being transformed into new affordable homeownership opportunities. This week, developers broke ground on four affordable homes on a Morgan Ford Road lot, bringing new life to a former gas station site. The project is an example of how environmental cleanup, land reuse and public-private collaboration can turn underused property into new investments in St. Louis neighborhoods. Cleanup of the site was supported through SLDC, and later the Land Reutilization Authority transferred the property to the @TowerGroveCDC. The new three-bedroom homes are expected to go on the market next year. 🎥 See more from @KMOV: firstalert4.com/2026/08/11/4…

French Frie Factory was awarded of $250,000 from the North St. Louis Small Business & Non-Profit Grant Program for a project to create a vibrant dining space & two co-working offices to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. The visible improvements inside and out reflect a commitment to fostering economic growth, supporting local talent, and creating a welcoming space where residents and visitors can connect over great food. Congratulations to French Frie Factory!

Be part of the community conversation at the next Project Connect Neighborhood Plan Public Review Open House! Powered by SLDC, Project Connect proposes neighborhood revitalization, transportation and infrastructure improvements, and other redevelopment efforts be implemented across six St. Louis neighborhoods: St. Louis Place, Old North St. Louis, Jeff-Vander-Lou, Carr Square, Columbus Square and Hyde Park. On Wednesday, August 26, neighborhood residents are invited to learn more about proposed plans, ask the Project Connect team questions and share feedback. 📅 Wednesday, August 26 ⏰ 5 to 8 p.m. 📌 William J. Harrison Education Center - 3140 Cass Ave. More information about Project Connect can be found at projectconnectstl.com/.

Federal investment is helping move forward infrastructure improvements that support city services and create new leasable space along St. Louis’ south riverfront. Today, U.S. Congressman Wesley Bell (@WesleyBell4MO) joined the City of St. Louis to recognize federal funding secured for several city projects, including $250,000 for the South Riverfront Redevelopment Project. This project is part of plans to construct a new trash transfer facility, allowing for more trucks and increased trash collection capacity. The site of the old facility will create new space for the St. Louis Port Authority to lease to a future tenant and position the south riverfront for future economic activity. Thank you to Congressman Bell and our city partners for backing investments that move St. Louis forward.

Lee’s Family Laundry was awarded of $500,000 from the North St. Louis Small Business & Non-Profit Grant Program. The grant money went towards interior & exterior renovations including a new parking lot. Congratulations to Lee’s Family Laundry!

🎊 Save A Lot y Más is celebrating its grand reopening on Cherokee Street! With an expanded selection of Hispanic and international grocery offerings, Save A Lot y Más is bringing more fresh produce, quality meats, pantry staples and everyday essentials to South St. Louis. The grand reopening represents continued investment in Cherokee Street and the South St. Louis community, supporting street-level vibrancy and growth in a neighborhood business district. SLDC is excited to celebrate this milestone alongside Cherokee Street Community Improvement District and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro St. Louis. Stop by to support community businesses and join the celebration. 📍 Save A Lot y Más - 3427 S. Jefferson Ave. ✂️ Ribbon cutting: Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. 🛒 Grand reopening special pricing: Aug. 5-11 💵 $10 off $60 coupon for purchases of $60 or more: Aug. 5-18 📰 Read more in the St. Louis Business Journal: bizjournals.com/stlouis/news…

SLDC welcomes Dr. Gerard Hollins Jr. as its executive vice president of development! Gerard is a St. Louis native bringing over 30 years of experience in real estate financing, development and management. When he begins his role with SLDC in mid-August, he will oversee the city's pipeline of real estate projects and business investments. Most recently, Gerard served as director of grants and impact investments at the James S. McDonnell Foundation (@JSMF), where he identified and managed over $90 million in investments and grants. Throughout his career, he has also held leadership positions in St. Louis city and county government and has taught at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (@umsl) and Washington University in St. Louis (@WashU). SLDC President and CEO Stephen Westbrooks and St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer expressed support for Gerard's appointment. “This role serves as the primary engine for deal flow and developer engagement at SLDC,” Stephen said. “We’re confident Gerard will help establish clear, coordinated and predictable pathways for project execution for developers, businesses and investors in the city.”

Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center St. Louis (AMICSTL) will open a $37M advanced manufacturing facility in North St. Louis. Their award of $2M from the North St. Louis Small Business & Non-Profit Grant Program will help create a long-term, sustainable pipeline of highly qualified employees. Thanks to AMICSTL for creating a bright future for St. Louis in advanced manufacturing!