Economic Justice

The communities surrounding the street have been the driving force behind its continuing economic rebound over the past decade.

The old paradigm in downtown St. Louis, that of a central business district with millions of square feet of office space, has faltered in recent years.

“Economic justice is a team sport. Government cannot do this alone," said Mayor Tishaura Jones. "When done in collaboration with our philanthropic civic and private sector partners, we can make a lasting difference for generations to come."

The R&R Marketplace includes centers for career development and training, co-working and innovation, addiction treatment, and early childhood education, as well as a restaurant and a bank.

“There are people that have applications, there are businesses that have been waiting and counting on the opportunity to be able to get this money to build or revitalize their business,” said the bill’s sponsor.

The grants and funds seek to bring economic opportunity to communities that have historically faced economic discrimination and disinvestment.

The center is funded by federal COVID relief money.

Residents throughout the region, including the Metro East, will have access to the resources that come with the federal Build Back Better Challenge Grant.

The plan is already targeting development and investment in Dutchtown, the area around the new NGA headquarters, Walnut Park and Martin Luther King Boulevard.