Money, Options Pour into Pruitt-Igoe in St. Louis—Are They Any Good?

The long shadow of 20th century urban renewal strategies color the debate over three potential redevelopment proposals for the site of the former site of the Pruitt-Igoe public housing complex on St. Louis' Near North Side.

1 minute read

February 27, 2015, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Energy (and money) is mounting on St. Louis’ Near North Side," writes Alexis Stephens. "Three separate development projects that all touch the densely overgrown gravesite of what was Pruitt-Igoe public housing are leveraging city, state and federal power to transform the area, while residents grow even more anxious about what the future holds."

Stephens details the three projects: the Northside Regeneration project (which has already secured $390 million in tax increment financing), the relocation of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and a transformation project led by Urban Strategies and backed by a $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

According to Stephens, "all offer different quality-of-life improvements and economic development potential, but also real threats of displacement and gentrification."

Writing for the UrbanReviewSTL site, Steve Patterson also drills down on the details of each of the three plans on the table to make the argument that St. Louis is clinging to the failed lessons of urban renewal.

Monday, February 23, 2015 in Next City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today