Developing the Recipe for a Thriving Corridor in St. Louis

Along a narrow corridor from the riverfront to Interstate 170, bounded by Delmar Boulevard to the north and Interstate 64 (Highway 40) to the south, St. Louis is experiencing an urban renaissance. Rail transit, cultural institutions, thriving businesses, civic offices, high-quality green spaces, and historic buildings are among the ingredients that add up to the place "where St. Louis succeeds as a city," writes Bryant. 

"Sarah Coffin, associate professor of public policy studies at SLU, and other urban experts said the corridor’s growing vitality will continue to attract new residents who prefer to walk more and drive less. 'People’s tastes are changing about how they want to live and where they want to live,' Coffin said."

The successes of the corridor are flowing into adjoining areas as well, adds Bryant. "Experts said that central corridor development is promoting overdue growth elsewhere, particularly south to the Botanical Heights and Shaw neighborhoods and through the Forest Park Southeast area to the Grove entertainment district."

“The idea of building off success instead of leaving it as an isolated instance is taking shape,” said Zack Boyers, chief executive of St. Louis-based U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corp.