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St. Louis Front Page presents St. Louis CitySide, an overview of the City Government of Saint Louis. From time to time, we will take an indepth look at many of the projects in which the city is involved and how these projects will affect residents and visitors.
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ARCHIVED NEWS
Red DotRevitalization of Downtown Begins With $35 Million Renovation of Old Post Office
Red DotSt. Louis Aldermanic Ways and Means Committee Endorses Ballpark Agreement/Summary of Final Agreement
Red DotBallpark Bill Draws Heated Opposition at Public Forum/House Bill NO. 1889
Red DotSaint Louis Art Museum Donates $10 Million to 'Heart of the Park' Improvements
Red DotSt. Louis Lands 2004 U.S. Olympic
Women's Marathon Trials
Red DotMary Meachum Freedom Crossing Site Dedicated
Red DotMississippi River Trail Dedicated
Red DotMayor Slay, Multi-Faith Religious Leaders Encourage Religious Tolerance
Red DotTaking Stock of Our City and Our Region
Red DotMissouri Attorney General Stops Internet Auction Fraud
Red DotSt. Louis/East St. Louis Joint Economic Development Initiative Receives Nearly $3 Million in Funding
State of the City Address before the Board of Aldermen
Mayor Francis Slay received a standing ovation following his first State of the City address before the Board of Aldermen.

St. Louis Is One of the Best Places in America
to Do Business Says Mayor Francis Slay

by Bob Moore, SLFP.com

ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), April 16, 2002 - Mayor Francis Slay rolled out his vision for continued economic development in his first State of the City address, Tuesday morning, April 16, before the Board of Aldermen at City Hall.

The Mayor noted that a year ago, he told the Board that it was his dream to help make St. Louis a great city once again. Today various projects in city neighborhoods are beginning to take shape including:
  • The old Homer G. Phillips Hospital building in the Ville neighborhood being reborn as a senior-living center
  • The restoration of the old Lennox and Statler hotels into the new convention center hotels
  • Warehouses along Washington Avenue being converted into apartments, condominiums and office space
  • Growth of diverse immigrant businesses along South Grand and cultural district along North Grand
  • The vibrant Lafayette Square community
Speaking optimistically, the Mayor focused on improving the efficiency of government. He stated that his office is redirecting nearly a quarter of a million dollars into education and job creation. "We should do whatever we can to help our schools preparing our young people to be good citizens and productive participants in an increasingly complex and fast-moving society."
Merchandise Mart Building
The Merchandise Mart Building, located on Washington Avenue just west of the new Renaissance Grand Hotel, is being converted into residences and retail space.


The Mayor's new budget will include a full $5 million for ConnectCare for Fiscal 2003 as part of a commitment to provide quality health care for those who lack basic coverage. Recently, together with Governor Bob Holden and County Executive Buzz Westfall, the Mayor formed the Regional Health Commission to develop a blueprint.

"The bottom line is we are looking for every opportunity we can to save taxpayers money," - Mayor Slay.
CityView, a new program that will measure the performance standards for city departments, will be introduced later this year.

"Such programs offer city-government workers a great opportunity to improve their services and receive what is in many cases long-overdue recognition for good work," stated Mayor Slay.

"The bottom line of all this is that we are looking for every opportunity we can to save taxpayers money," reaffirmed the Mayor. "We need to direct as much of that money as possible toward programs that really affect the quality of life in our city: reducing crime, improving neighborhoods, creating jobs."

The Mayor plans to expand the city tax base by strengthening downtown. "This part of our city provides more than 95,000 jobs, and about a third of the overall revenue of St. Louis," continued the Mayor. "This is why we are working so hard to pass the ballpark/Ballpark Village proposal. This is why we are working so hard to get the Old Post Office district developed after years and years of inaction."

As part of the economic development plan, the Mayor told the Board of Aldermen that he was sending legislation requiring at least 15 percent of the workers on municipal construction contracts to be apprentices enrolled in approved programs.

King Louis Square
King Louis Square, a new residential area on the site of the former Darst-Webbe housing project, was built with funds secured through HOPE VI, a HOME loan from the City of St. Louis, MHDC, FannieMae (FNMA), Firstar Community Development Corporation, Bank of America and proceeds from the syndication of federal and state tax credits through the St. Louis Equity Fund.
To create a more diverse business community, the Mayor said he has taken a major step in creating a new affidavit that includes civil and criminal penalties for filing false information on applications for businesses to be certified as minority- and female-owned companies in order to participate in city contracts.

Mayor Slay took an aggressive stance on the declining population of the City as indicated in the 2000 Census. "In order to reverse this decline, we are going to have to work together across lines of neighborhood and race," he stated.

"I have heard people from every possible background tell me in the strongest terms that they have had it with divisiveness and decline, and they want to see us cooperate and move this city forward," commented the Mayor. "We should always remember that the state of this city matters not only to those of us who live within its boundaries, but people throughout the bi-state metropolitan area, and throughout Missouri."

Mayor Slay stated that there is limitless potential in the City of St. Louis. "It's been a long time since this city has allowed itself to dream big dreams. When I ran for Mayor, I said, 'We can be a great city again.' Now, after my first year in office, I believe this more strongly than ever," concluded Mayor Slay.

Levine Hat Company
(L. to R.) Edward Levine, great grandson of founder Benjamin Levine and Richard Johnson, sales rep, in the showroom of the Levine Hat Co, which has been located on Washington Avenue for over 75 years.
Many businesses in downtown St. Louis believe that new development will bring life back to the downtown district.

"I'm very proud of the development downtown," stated Richard Johnson, sales rep with the Levine Hat Co, which has been located on Washington Avenue for over 75 years. "I remember as a kid, it was very busy in the neighborhood and it then subsided. Now, I think it's going to bring business back with the beautification of the downtown district. I'm very excited about that from a business point of view."

Richard commented that Levine Hat Co is the world's largest retail hat store with over three floors of hats. When asked about today's trend of people not wearing hats, he quickly responded, "We're trying to change that now. A lot of the rappers and entertainers are wearing hats. We want to get them back into wearing hats. We've been in business for over 100 years. We want the hat people back here in St. Louis."Red Dot

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