St. Louis County, City, STL Partnership Participate in DOT Convening in Washington, DC
The St. Louis region proudly participated in the Thriving Communities Program (TCP) Convening in Washington, DC, on December 10-11, 2024. Representing the region were LaShay Melton, St. Louis County grants operations manager; Elysia Russell, St. Louis City sustainability director; and Maude Bauschard Trost, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) senior project manager.
St. Louis is part of TCP’s “Complete Neighborhoods” cohort, with efforts focused on Spanish Lake in St. Louis County and neighborhoods along Riverview Drive in North St. Louis City. These areas face challenges such as high flood risk, limited public transit, and economic barriers. Key initiatives aim to prepare for transformative opportunities including the Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Park, a 425-acre conservation center expected to generate $600 million in economic impact and over 350 jobs by 2034.
STL Partnership, in collaboration with St. Louis County and the City of St. Louis, is implementing several targeted activities to address these challenges, with a focus on public engagement and transportation planning. This includes two Community Engagement Events, planned for early 2025, that will be held in Spanish Lake and North St. Louis City to gather public input on transportation needs and priorities along Bellefontaine Road, Riverview Drive, and Larimore Road. These events will also address public transit challenges and opportunities. Feedback from the events will be compiled into a summary report to inform future infrastructure planning and funding applications.
The TCP Convening provides a platform for the St. Louis team to share these ongoing efforts, learn from other communities, and exchange best practices for advancing equitable, sustainable infrastructure. By leveraging TCP resources and strengthening regional partnerships, the St. Louis region is laying the groundwork coordination for resilient, connected, and thriving neighborhoods.