CRE Consulting Team Shares Growth Opportunity Ideas for Spanish Lake

Public transit access, land leasing and capital support for first-time homebuyers among recommendations

With the anticipated public opening of Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park in 2027, the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE)—known for providing real estate analysis and action plans for municipalities—recently examined potential economic development opportunities in Spanish Lake, Mo., in unincorporated St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding area. Their visit to the region took place as part of Transforming Neighborhoods, a technical assistance program from the National Association of REALTORS®, through which St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (STL Partnership) and St. Louis REALTORS® hosted nationwide members of CRE from Oct. 13–15. CRE’s subsequently released report recommended public transit access, long-term land leasing, capital programming for first-time homebuyers and a host of other means to help foster growth.

The fully detailed report is available here.

The CRE team interviewed elected officials, regional planners, economic development leaders, university leadership, community stakeholders and representatives from the WildCare Park and other sectors to examine opportunities to build up the Spanish Lake areas.

“Bringing the Transforming Neighborhoods program to St. Louis has been a goal for years, and it’s rewarding to see our collaboration with STL Partnership bring that vision to life in Spanish Lake,” said Charlie Hinderliter, chief advocacy officer and director of commercial services for St. Louis REALTORS® and secretary of the STL Partnership Board of Directors.

The CRE team recently shared a report with STL Partnership and St. Louis REALTORS® with the following suggestions for potential growth opportunities in Spanish Lake:

• Encourage multimodal connectivity including public transportation to benefit WildCare Park and the community.
• Implement a communications strategy to let everybody know that Spanish Lake has seen steady improvements in safety and offers a place to live, work and play with many amenities.
• Develop programs that create access to capital for first-time homebuyers and for existing homeowners for home improvements to revitalize the neighborhoods.
• Recruit additional population to Spanish Lake to enable success for retail, restaurants and similar amenities.
• Align land development with the planning efforts that have already been undertaken, including the St. Louis County 2050 Master Plan.
• Louis County should consider long-term land leases or sales to encourage Agricultural Technology within the community.
• STL Partnership can serve as a leader to help with the sustainable growth and development of the Spanish Lake community.

“The cross-sector collaboration that took place in October is essential to keeping the momentum of that region moving forward,” said Rodney Crim, CEO and president at STL Partnership. “WildCare Park will be extremely beneficial to the area, and we feel these recommendations from CRE will help Spanish Lake reach its potential.”

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said it is critical to build on the excitement of WildCare Park in a thoughtful, sustainable way that will benefit Spanish Lake and north St. Louis County.

“When WildCare Park opens its doors next year, we want to make sure that plans around the zoo are developed in a way that benefits residents, creates job growth and attracts tourists from throughout the county,” Page said. “I appreciate the input from the CRE in helping us create that balance.”

WildCare Park is a world-class safari park and conservation center that is being built on 425 acres near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Economists estimate that over 10 years, WildCare Park will generate more than $660 million in regional economic impact.

“With WildCare Park coming to Spanish Lake, we are excited about the opportunities it will bring our residents and to see how it will transform the area,” stated St. Louis County Councilwoman Shalonda D. Webb, who represents District 4.

“It was our honor and privilege to volunteer for this assignment and provide Counselor expertise to Spanish Lake,” said Eric Swanson, CRE, managing director, StarCap Group LLC, of Boca Raton, Fla., who led the team. “Our team was very impressed by the large number of people genuinely excited about the future of Spanish Lake and eager to be a part of improving the community. We look forward to watching as the community, led by STL Partnership, moves forward with implementing these recommendations.”

Other team members included Garner Chandler, CRE, data specialist, of Washington, D.C.; Matthew McDonough, Esq., CRE, founding member, McDonough PLLC of Babylon, N.Y.; Marilee Utter, CRE, president, Citiventure Associates, LLC, of Denver, Colo.; Raja Waran, CRE, senior managing director, IRR-Philadelphia of Philadelphia, Pa.

The Transforming Neighborhoods program enabled CRE Consulting Corps strategic guidance to assist STL Partnership through a collaboration with the St. Louis REALTORS®. This program focused on identifying key economic development opportunities in Spanish Lake and surrounding areas due to the impact of WildCare Park.