Priority Sites & Projects
In 2022, SLDC identified several key Development Board-owned priority sites and projects within the Economic Justice Demonstration Areas that will catalyze equitable economic growth. Using our Roadmap for Redevelopment, we are currently focusing our efforts on a handful of those sites, which are in varying stages of community engagement and stabilization:
Chuck Berry House: 3137 Whittier Street
Objective(s): Stabilize structure, community engagement in revisioning and reuse, market site for future redevelopment.
Source of funds: Economic Development Sales Tax Fund, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
Completed to-date: Structural assessment, report, repair recommendations, and cost estimations. Execution of supplemental structural engineering service agreement and creation of detailed technical specifications and drawings. Selection of contractor for stabilization work. Community Development Administration review of stabilization contract. Structural repair.
Sara Lou Café: 4067 Saint Louis Avenue
Objective(s): Stabilize structure, community engagement in revisioning and reuse, market site for future redevelopment.
Source of funds: Economic Development Sales Tax Fund, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
Completed to-date: Structural assessment, report, repair recommendations and cost estimations. Contract execution of the supplemental structural engineering services agreement. Creation of stabilization construction documents. RFB for stabilization issued. Community Development Administration review of stabilization contract.
Ongoing: Structural repair and related work (Estimated date for stabilization work to be completed is September 2026). Awaiting change orders so work can reconvene in June 2026. Substantial work is required.
Wellston Station: 6111 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
Objective(s): Stabilize structure for future redevelopment
Source of Funds: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
Completed to-date: Hazardous material cleanup and partial demolition down to the building’s framework have begun, along with initial shoring efforts. Comprehensive structural inspection and recommendations. Stabilization design. Engineering assessment.
Ongoing: Permits have been issued and work expected to start in June 2026. The contract covers the repair and stabilization of this historic building, including rebuilding of the roof, dormers, windows and doors.
Club Imperial: 6306 W. Florissant Avenue
Objective(s): Deconstruct and demolish building
Source of Funds: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
Completed to-date A safety report with repair recommendations has been prepared by David Mason. Scaffolding and fence repairs.
Ongoing: Permits awaiting approval, with the deconstruction and salvage of specific exterior building elements expected to begin in June 2026. Full demolition will be completed in September 2026.
Marshall School: 4322 Aldine
Objective(s): Stabilize structure for future redevelopment
Source of Funds: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
Completed to-date EPA technical assistance reuse plan completed April 2023. Structural and environmental engineers assessment. Gain site control.
Ongoing: Contract to be executed soon and then notice to proceed can be given.
Scope includes two separate contracts:
1) stabilization of main building including roof, walls, interior debris removal, gutter/downspouts, site opening board up, etc.
2) Demolition of the single story ancillary building not attached to main building.
Cleveland High School: 4352 Louisiana Avenue
Objective(s): Stabilize structure for future redevelopment, market site for future redevelopment.
Source of Funds: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds
Completed to-date: EPA Reuse Report. Gain site control.
Ongoing: Accepting bids to stabilize structure. Awaiting board approval before contract execution and Notice to proceed can be given.
Scope includes two separate contracts:
1) stabilization of main building including roof, wall structural repair, interior debris removal, gutter/downspouts, site opening board up, etc.
2) Demolition of the detached ancillary gym and two additions off of the main building.
Work is anticipated to begin mid-July and complete before September 30, 2026 for both scopes.
Railway Exchange Building: 600 Locust Street
Objective(s): Market site for future redevelopment.
Source of Funds: Outside sources/ARPA LCRA Land Assemblage Fund
Completed to-date Eminent domain process initiated. Court-appointed commissioners valued property at $7.3 million. LCRA paid $2.6M for garage and surface lot on city block 129. Building Division marked garage for emergency demolition.
Ongoing: Selection of contractor to demo garage. Waiting for Board of Aldermen to approve bill possibly allocating money towards Railway Exchange.
Bids are currently being solicited to demolish the former Charlie Gitto’s building and the skywalk connecting the Railway Exchange garage to Keiner West garage. Once bids are received and an award is made, notice to proceed is expected to be given with work commencing late July 2026 and completed by September 30, 2026.
SLDC is still exploring funds to acquire the Railway Exchange building and demolish the adjacent garage.
Municipal Courts Building: 1320 Market Street
Objective(s): Market site for future redevelopment.
Source of Funds: TBD
Completed to-date RFP bids.
Ongoing: City received two proposals from developers.
Millennium Hotel: 200 South 4th Street
Objective(s): Assist Gateway Arch Park Foundation in marketing site for redevelopment.
Source of Funds: TBD
Completed to-date Assisted Gateway Arch Park Foundation with the redevelopment plan/blighting study. Arch Park Foundation issued RFP and selected Cordish Co. as redeveloper.
Ongoing: Working with the city and stakeholders on potential incentives for the site.
The Monarch on MLK Campus for Economic Mobility: 3940 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
In October 2023, the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of the City of St. Louis (LCRA) —a development board staffed by the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) —purchased a 150,000-square-foot industrial building at 3940 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in North St. Louis, along with 29 surrounding vacant parcels. Once redeveloped, the 15.39-acre site will transform into an innovative transit-accessible workforce and training campus for manufacturing and other high-paying, in-demand careers.
Project Status:
A company has been contracted for the renovation and repair of the Monarch facility, preparing it for tenancy. The Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) maintenance shop and another prospective tenant are expected to be the first tenants. This work is large in scope, but still is planned on commencing early July 2026 and finishing by September 30, 2026.
Contact
Rob Orr
SVP, Real Estate Development
orrr@stlouis-mo.gov • 314.657.3738
Peter Phillips
VP, Land Assemblage and Redevelopment
phillipsp@stlouis-mo.gov • 314.657.3736