Show-Me State Times

Construction has commenced on a significant infrastructure project aimed at revitalizing 7th Street in downtown St. Louis, stretching from Ballpark Village to America’s Center on Washington Avenue. The project, valued at $3.7 million and funded through a combination of public and private sources, seeks to enhance the area with new sidewalks, lighting, trees, and protected bicycle lanes.

Bill DeWitt III, President of the St. Louis Cardinals, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “This is a critical infrastructure project that will provide a better connection between Ballpark Village and the America’s Center and add vibrancy and street-level activity in the heart of Downtown.”

The development continues efforts by city officials and business leaders to make downtown St. Louis safer and more vibrant. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones stated, “Making 7th Street...a more walkable and bikeable space with new sidewalks, lighting, trees, and a bike path is another way we’re using public-private partnerships to build a more safe, vibrant, and beautiful downtown St. Louis.”

Neal Richardson of the St. Louis Development Corporation noted that these improvements aim to create a pedestrian-friendly environment: “The 7th Street improvements will make Downtown more pedestrian friendly and encourage connectivity to improve the overall experience for residents, employees and visitors.”

This project follows several initiatives launched by city leaders earlier this year as part of an ongoing public-private partnership focused on addressing vacant properties like the Railway Exchange Building and Millennium Hotel.

Kurt Weigle from Greater St. Louis Inc., highlighted progress made since these efforts began: “Over the past few months we’ve worked together with the City...We’ve started work on this great new project to connect to major Downtown anchors.”

Construction began on October 1st with landscaping slated for March 2025; completion is expected by June 2025.