Urban Strategies

Arts leaders, St. Louis leaders and community members want an upcoming public arts project to reflect the history of north St. Louis.

Urban Strategies Inc. has received a $20.8 million federal Promise Neighborhoods grant to provide academic and social services support to students and families in struggling schools in the 63106 ZIP code of north St. Louis. The federal grant will give families access to early childhood education, emotional support programs and college and career readiness assistance.

The former Greyhound bus station in north St. Louis once bustled with travelers. But after Greyhound moved, the building became abandoned. In recent weeks, it's become a canvas for St. Louis-based artist Cbabi Bayoc, who installed spray paintings that show beauty and Black pride.

A 2018 study by the National Low Income Housing Coalition showed that a St. Louisan who earns minimum wage would have to work 81 hours per week in order…