In an important step toward rebuilding after the May 16 tornado and bringing new investment to North St. Louis, the City of St. Louis Planning Commission has formally adopted "A Stronger Northside," a new neighborhood plan created with significant community involvement to guide the future development, investment and community priorities for The Ville, Greater Ville and Kingsway East neighborhoods, all of which were significantly impacted by the tornado.

This is the first new neighborhood plan to be adopted in areas of the city that were damaged by the tornado. Plans for five other North City areas, spanning 16 additional neighborhoods, are currently in progress as part of the City's PlanSTL Neighborhood Planning Program.

"This neighborhood plan, which establishes key priorities for the future, was created in strong collaboration with the residents of The Ville, Greater Ville and Kingsway East, exactly as it should be, and I'm grateful to all the community members who have taken part in this, once again demonstrating a strong collective commitment to the neighborhoods," said Mayor Cara Spencer.

A Stronger Northside advances targeted strategies to stabilize and reinvest in housing while expanding pathways to affordable homeownership. The plan focuses on revitalizing commercial corridors, supporting small businesses and strengthening the local economy, alongside improvements in mobility and safety. Cultural, historic and community anchors such as Sumner and Tandy are reinforced as visible centers of neighborhood pride and long-term stewardship. Over the last four years, the City has committed over $250 million toward the implementation of the City's Economic Justice Action Plan (EJAP).

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The Planning Commission voted to adopt the plan on Dec. 17 during a public meeting held at St. Philip's Evangelical Lutheran Church in The Ville. The plan solidifies a collective vision and shared goals for development, reinvestment, neighborhood improvements and priority projects. A Stronger Northside will serve as a guiding document for City decision-making, public and private investments and coordinated community action.

The planning process was led by the City of St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency through its PlanSTL Neighborhood Planning Program and began in July 2024. The process emphasized meaningful community engagement, data-driven analysis and alignment with citywide policies, resulting in a plan that is both forward-looking and grounded in local priorities.

The evening of adoption reflected the profound legacy and enduring significance of these neighborhoods. Residents and supporters shared stories that highlighted the area's cultural heritage, resilience and long-standing contributions to the city. The community's legacy was palpable and deeply ingrained in shared memories and experiences.

With adoption complete, the next phase is implementation. Residents, the Recovery Office, City departments, community organizations and partners will work together to advance priority projects, align investments with the plan's goals and formalize neighborhood planning implementation models.

4theVille led the MLK Cultural Blvd, a network of public infrastructure and placemaking enhancements that anchor a culturally-rooted and vibrant Dr. Martin Luther King Drive corridor. Through additional investments, including Great Rivers Greenway's Brickline Greenway, the corridor will link regional investments such as NGA West, AMICSTL, Ranken, the Urban League, The Monarch and Sumner High School, forming a continuous civic, educational and cultural spine.

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Reinvestment in the housing stock, combined with strategic use of LRA-owned properties and layered incentives, will create a clear pathway to restore existing homes, build new ones and meet growing demand from families. The plan provides guidance that complements development in the pipeline, such as Elevate at the Bridge, a four-story, 50-unit mixed-use project with commercial space. The City, through the St. Louis Development Corporation and Community Development Administration, is committed to continued investment, including a recently announced pilot project to construct modular housing on vacant LRA-owned sites in The Ville.

Additional focused investment discussions in the campus surrounding key anchors, including Sumner High School, Homer G. Phillips Senior Apartments and Tandy Community Center, are already gaining momentum.

During the neighborhood planning process, residents successfully executed two pop-up activations that brought art, gardening and cultural programming to public spaces while showcasing long-term design possibilities. Building on this momentum, we hope to see community members lead several additional pop-ups over the coming year, particularly on priority lots. These spaces can be transformed into temporary gathering places and activated in time for the summer season.

The plan will also play an essential role in informing tornado recovery efforts and supporting rebuilding and reinvestment aligned with long-term neighborhood resilience and community aspirations.

For more information about the A Stronger Northside Neighborhood Plan, please contact the City of St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency. The full plan is available at PlanSTL.com.  As the City advances from planning to implementation, the Planning and Urban Design Agency will continue to coordinate with partner departments to support an orderly and effective transition. While implementation efforts are still being aligned across the City, the adopted plan provides a clear framework to guide next steps. During this transition period, questions may be directed to the City of St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency.

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