Over the weekend, more than 100,000 people gathered in Downtown St. Louis to enjoy various events and activities, bringing economic benefits to the area. According to Tishaura O. Jones, Mayor of the City of St. Louis, “Days like this remind us what Downtown can and should be: the safe, vibrant, dynamic, walkable neighborhood at the heart of the St. Louis metro.”
While there has been a noticeable increase in hotel bookings, foot traffic, and visitors to Downtown attractions, there are still significant challenges to address. Jason Hall, CEO of Greater St. Louis, Inc., mentioned that “the Wall Street Journal highlighted some critical challenges Downtown St. Louis faces, particularly with some of the vacant large properties in the Central Business District.”
Despite recent progress, the article in the Wall Street Journal was criticized for painting a negative picture of Downtown St. Louis. Tishaura O. Jones pointed out that the article relied on a flawed study and did not consider key drivers of foot traffic and economic activity in the area. She emphasized, “the St. Louis metro will not grow without a strong Downtown, and Downtown St. Louis is not yet where it needs to be.”
To address these challenges, business, civic, and government leaders in the St. Louis region are working together to revitalize Downtown. Efforts include partnering on new incentives to attract retail businesses and infrastructure investments to enhance safety and walkability. Jason Hall stated, “We are optimistic about the future of St. Louis and the revitalization of Downtown.”
Recent positive economic indicators, such as job and GDP growth, show that St. Louis is on a path for growth. The city was even named one of the “Hottest Job Markets” in the country by the Wall Street Journal. Tishaura O. Jones highlighted the importance of Downtown in the region’s growth, stating, “Downtown has to be a priority for the entire region. We need to think creatively about what it can be and work diligently to get there.”
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders aim to make Downtown St. Louis a world-class neighborhood at the heart of the metro. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and CEO Jason Hall expressed their commitment to continuing this work to ensure the revitalization and success of Downtown St. Louis.
