CDA Announces $10 Million in Awards for Neighborhood Transformation Grants

The City of St. Louis’ Community Development Administration (CDA) announced today the final round of awards from its Neighborhood Transformation Grants. The initiative, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), invests in community-driven projects to strengthen City neighborhoods by boosting beautification programs, accelerating development projects, assisting project implementation by increasing non-profit organizations' capacity, and expanding home repair programs for moderate and low-income homeowners. All proposed projects are in Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) and Economic Justice Index areas in the city. This round of funding provides $10,225,270 of Neighborhood Transformation Grant awards. The first round of Neighborhood Transformation Grants, which invested over $18M into the production of 952 affordable housing units was announced in August. 

"Through these grants, the City of St. Louis is investing in the future, fostering development that is rooted in equity, sustainability, and community collaboration,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “These projects were all proposed by community organizations and will be empowered through the City’s strategic deployment of ARPA dollars.”

Neighborhood Transformation Grants were announced in March 2023 to seek community-driven proposals in Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) and Economic Justice Index areas in the city for four categories: Housing Production, Proactive Development, Home Repair, Neighborhood Beautification, and Capacity Building. 

"Our commitment to proactive development, neighborhood beautification, and strategic project implementation underlines CDA’s mission of reversing decades of disinvestment and investing in community and grassroots organizations,” Executive Director Nahuel Fefer said.

Proactive Development: Paving the Way for Change

With $4 million awarded, Proactive Development projects for non-profit service agencies and neighborhood groups support critical pre-development efforts - like site acquisition, environmental remediation, and construction plans aimed at meeting community needs like housing, childcare services, food initiatives, and health services. These projects are rooted in community backing, demonstrated through letters of support and the formation of project teams. The residential development projects will breath new life into disinvested neighborhoods according to each community’s unique needs. A full list of awards is below, but a few examples include:

The Favored Foundation for Strengthening Families is converting an LRA-owned building into an early childhood education center in Hamilton Heights.

Cornerstone Corporation will continue its implementation of the weCollab West End Plan through the development of community space in a former Prop NS property and LRA-owned lot in the West End.

St. Louis Art Place Initiative will continue renovating LRA homes.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis and PGA REACH Gateway Foundation will work to convert the former Carter Carburetor Superfund site into a youth golf center

With the 5908 Etzel project, we are creating a vibrant community-based space where resident leaders and Cornerstone families can thrive while they heal, imagine, and build the West End renaissance together,” said Monique Thomas, Executive Director of Cornerstone Corporation. “It will serve as a permanent place for the living, breathing community work and resident activation of weCollab, and a place of rest for our renters." 

"We are thrilled to be supported by Neighborhood Transformation Grants to continue to work with our neighbors and partners in Gravois Park in building wealth and equity for local artists, not only through homeownership, but in creating cultural opportunities at the block level,” said Kaveh Razani, Co-Director of St. Louis Art Place Initiative. “We appreciate having the far reaching impacts of our work recognized with this award!"

Neighborhood Beautification: Enhancing Our Urban Landscape

Neighborhood Beautification grants, totaling $3.37 million, will drive projects that amplify the visual appeal and vibrancy of City neighborhoods. Projects include taming vacant lots, enhancing parks and community gardens, and litter clean-up programs. These initiatives will transform underutilized areas into community hubs. A full list of awards is below. A few examples include:

North Newstead Association and SLACO will receive funding to scale their neighborhood clean up programs to over a dozen neighborhoods across the city 

Grassroots neighborhood groups including the Revitalization of Baden Association, Gravois Park Block Link Neighborhood Association, Lewis Place Historical Preservation, Dutchtown Main Streets, Hope in the Ville, and Old North St. Louis Restoration Group will be funded to expand their lot maintenance, dumping prevention, and beautification/gardening initiatives. 

College Hill Foundation will expand its celebrated lavender farm.

"On behalf of the College Hill Foundation and the College Hill Neighborhood, I would like to thank CDA. This Neighborhood Transformation Grant will expand our beautification and stabilization efforts in College Hill by converting vacant lots and replacing them with beautiful lavender and other plants,” said Fred Kimbrough, Executive Director of College Hill Foundation. “The lavender gardens also employ residents and other people who are in need of economic opportunities. The College Hill Foundation looks forward to this new partnership with the City of St. Louis.”

Capacity Building: Strengthening Project Implementation

Empowering organizations to navigate the complex terrain of community transformation, Capacity Building grants, totaling $1.127 million, will equip applicants with the resources to carry out their missions and projects. New staff and resources will provide invaluable support, ensuring that projects align with community needs and are executed efficiently, ultimately achieving their intended impact.

Home Repair: Keeping Blocks Intact, Preserving Generational Wealth

Three organizations’ minor home repair programs will be expanded. Home repair programs preserve generational wealth, reduce property vacancy, and ensure the safety of residents by providing crucial home repairs like new roofs, HVAC, stairs and porches, tuckpointing, electrical and more. Awarded projects include expansions of existing programs. In addition, Employment Connections will create a program to train youth in landscaping while serving low-income homeowners.

CDA also released today an RFP for Major Home Repair Services seeking contractors to expand its Healthy Home Repair Program. Response are due on October 9, 2023.

Guided by the City of St. Louis Economic Justice Action Plan, CDA prioritized projects in the city’s most distressed communities as well as projects in close proximity to public transit, schools, and other community assets. Additionally, CDA also prioritized projects addressing LRA-owned vacant buildings and the development of city vacant lots. In fact, more than 300 vacant LRA properties will be transformed through Neighborhood Transformation Grants. Projects demonstrating alignment with the city’s sustainability plan and neighborhood plans were also prioritized. 

Click here or the thumbnails below to view a PDF list and map of Neighborhood Transformation Grant awards

 

Click here to explore interactive map.

Neighborhood Transformation Grants Funding Recommendations

Proactive Development of Community Assets

Applicant: Jubilee Community Development Corporation

• Project Title: Eliot School Rehabilitation
• Project Description: Rehabilitation of the Eliot School building into Jubilee Wellness Center (JWC), an opioid treatment and transitional housing facility.
• Neighborhood: Fairgrounds Neighborhood
• Address: 4242 Grove St, St. Louis, MO 63107
• Funding Award: $500,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $22,710,484.17

Applicant: Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group

• Project Title: Historic Building Stabilization & Community Garden
• Project Description: Stabilization of three historic buildings: 2215 N 13th S, 2707 Blair, and 2519 Blair; Expansion of 13th St. Seed St. Louis community garden is located at 2700 N 13th Street.
• Neighborhood: Old North STL
• Address: 2215 N 13th, St. Louis, MO 63106; 2707 Blair, St. Louis, MO; 2519 Blair, St. Louis, MO 63106; 2700 N 13th, St. Louis, MO 63106
• Funding Award: $249,900.00
• Total Development Cost: $336,500.00

Applicant: The Favored Foundation for Strengthening Families

• Project Title: Early Childhood Educational Facility
• Project Description: The Show Me Family Zone will convert a vacant LRA property into an early childhood educational facility. The Good Shepherd Academy for Boys will offer 40 slots to low-income families.
• Neighborhood: Hamilton Heights
• Address: 5957 Page Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112; 5953 Page Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112
• Funding Award: $413,533.00
• Total Development Cost: $2,315,000

Applicant: Gateway Global American Youth and Business Alliance Inc. (“Gateway Global" or GGAYBA)

• Project Title: Geospatial & IT Campus Development
• Project Description: Acquisition of the former Most Holy Trinity school building and Development of the Geospatial & IT Workforce and Apprenticeship Campus (GIWAC)
• Neighborhood: Hyde Park
• Address: 3519 N. 14th St., St. Louis, MO 63107
• Funding Award: $350,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $2,500,000.00

Applicant: Northside Youth and Senior Services (NSYSSC)

• Project Title: Community Center Construction
• Project Description: NSYSSC plans to construct a modern 15,000 square foot community facility. This new center will feature a commercial kitchen and multipurpose rooms for exercise, work, and activities.
• Neighborhood: The Ville
• Address: 4120 Maffitt Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63113
• Funding Award: $305,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $5,700,000.00

Applicant: Be Well Cafe (BWC) Corp

• Project Title: Hyde Park Community Garden, Pavilion, and Rainscape
• Project Description: BWC Project will build a pavilion for the farmer's market in Hyde Park next to Be Well Cafe and create a rainscape and community garden.
• Neighborhood: Hyde Park
• Address: 2030 Salisbury St, St. Louis, MO 63107
• Funding Award: $217,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $354,000.00

Applicant: Cornerstone Corporation

• Project Title: Community Hub Construction
• Project Description: Plan and begin construction for a community hub on former LRA property (5908 Etzel, 63112) stabilized through the Prop NS program
• Neighborhood: West End
• Address: 5908 Etzel Ave, St. Louis MO, 63112
• Funding Award: $90,500.00
• Total Development Cost: $809,520.00

Applicant: Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis

• Project Title: Urban League Village
• Project Description: Capital infusion for surveys, assessments, design plans, and technical support for the development of 17 single-family homes.
• Neighborhood: Fountain Park
• Address: 1320 N Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63113; 1328 N Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63113; 1315-1317 Bayard, St. Louis, MO 63113; 1327-1333 Bayard Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63113; 1347 Bayard Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63113; 1324-1356 Bayard Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63113; 4847-4861 Page Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63113
• Funding Award: $348,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $6,000,000.00

Applicant: North Grand Neighborhood Service

• Project Title: Rehabilitation of 3 bed and 2 bath single house
• Project Description: Capital infusion for the rehabilitation of a 3 bed/2 bath single-family house at 3630 Garfield Avenue
• Neighborhood: JVL
• Address: 3630 Garfield Ave, St. Louis, MO 63113
• Funding Award: $100,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $160,000.00

Applicant: St. Joseph Housing Initiative

• Project Title: Development of 6 single-family homes
• Project Description: Acquisition of six vacant single-family properties for redevelopment
• Neighborhood: Dutchtown, MT. Pleasant, Carondelet, St. Louis, MO 63111
• Address: Dutchtown, MT. Pleasant, Carondelet, St. Louis, MO 63111
• Funding Award: $89,994.00
• Total Development Cost: $348,516.00

 

Neighborhood Beautification 

Revitalization of Baden Association

• Project Title: Vacant Lot Maintenance
• Project Description: Expand groundskeeper’s program, which maintains the upkeep of the Baden neighborhood with a focus on the maintenance of city-owned (i.e., LRA) vacant lots and routine scheduled clean-ups for the community to get involved.
• Neighborhood: Baden
• Address: 1253 Baden Ave, St. Louis, MO 63147
• Funding Award: $79,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $79,000.00

Hope in the Ville

• Project Title: Community Gardens Expansion
• Project Description: Establish and expand community gardens in three lots owned by The Antioch Baptist Church.
• Neighborhood: The Ville
• Address: 4222 St. Ferdinand, St. Louis, MO 63113; 4214 West North Market, St. Louis, MO 63113
• Funding Award: $114,116.00
• Total Development Cost: $335,140.00

DT2-Downtown Dutchtown dba Dutchtown Main Streets

• Project Title: Virginia Avenue Green Space/Marquette Park Maintenance
• Project Description: The Virginia Avenue Green Space will improve the community garden and develop a pocket park adjacent to the Metro bus stop on its southeastern lot.
• Neighborhood: Dutchtown
• Address: 4730-36 Alabama, St. Louis, MO 63111; 4748-52 Alabama St. Louis, MO 63111; 4754-58 Alabama, St. Louis, MO 63111; 4731 Virginia, St. Louis, 63111; 4747 Virginia St. Louis, MO 63111
• Funding Award: $325,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $2,362,277.00

Lewis Place Historical Preservation Inc (LPHP)

• Project Title: Maintenance of 20 vacant lots
• Project Description: LPHP will provide neighborhood beautification by maintaining 20 vacant lots, beautifying lots, and combating dumping for two years.
• Neighborhood: Fountain Park and Lewis Place
• Address: Fountain Park and Lewis Place Neighborhoods
• Funding Award: $180,320.00
• Total Development Cost: $276,320.00

North Newstead Association (NNA)

• Project Title: Neighborhood Beautification Program
• Project Description: NNA will expand its existing Beautification Program to focus on eight neighborhoods to complete 40 Beautify Our Block: Large-Scale Clean-Up and Beautification Work Days and 40 Tired of Tires: Expansion Across North St. Louis City events.
• Neighborhood: Various
• Address: Citywide
• Funding Award: $490,400.00
• Total Development Cost: $3,330,904.00

Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group (ONSLRG)

• Project Title: Clean Up and Mow 74 Vacant Lots
• Project Description: ONSLRG will clean up trash and mow 74 vacant lots that have high visibility locations and/or are strategic locations next to proposed rehab or new development.
• Neighborhood: Old North STL
• Address: Old North St. Louis Neighborhood
• Funding Award: $55,500.00
• Total Development Cost: $58,500.00

Cornerstone Corporation

• Project Title: Activation of Park: hardscapes and recreational features
• Project Description: Gwen Giles Park, at the western end of the Hodiamont Greenway, will be activated with new hardscapes, softscapes, and recreational features by the end of 2025, with consultation of Great Rivers Greenway.
• Neighborhood: West End
• Address: 924 Hodiamont Ave, St. Louis, MO 63112
• Funding Award: $277,500.00
• Total Development Cost: $422,500.00

St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO)

• Project Title: Keeping It Clean Neighborhood Program
• Project Description: SLACO will expand the existing Keeping It Clean Neighborhood Beautification program with ExtraKIC, expanding the program to 6 neighborhoods and increasing clean-up workdays.
• Neighborhood: KingsVille plus 6 additional neighborhoods
• Address: Citywide
• Funding Award: $479,297.00
• Total Development Cost: $1,875,074.00

St. Louis Housing Authority (SLHA)

• Project Title: Residents-led Beautification
• Project Description: Resident-driven beautification projects at five SLHA Developments: Parkview, West Pine, Euclid Plaza, and Renaissance at Grand, and Northside Scattered Sites. SLHA will expand its capacity to support residents by hiring a Resident Coordinator for the projects.
• Neighborhood: Various
• Address: Parkview: 4451 Forest Park Blvd St. Louis, MO 63108; West Pine: 4490 West Pine Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108; Euclid Plaza: 5310 N. Euclid St. Louis, MO 63115; Renaissance Place at Grand: 1001 N. Compton St. Louis, MO 63106; Northside Scattered Sites: 1007 N. Taylor St. Louis, MO 63108
• Funding Award: $238,690.00
• Total Development Cost: $355,250.00

Gravois Park Block Link Neighborhood Association

• Project Title: Improvement of Community Gardens
• Project Description: Purchasing, improvement, and preservation of three existing community gardens and one urban orchard in the Gravois Park neighborhood.
• Neighborhood: Gravois Park Neighborhood
• Address: 3500-3502 Pennsylvania, 3135-3137 Potomac, 3459 Pennsylvania, 3522 Tennessee
• Funding Award: $83,204.00
• Total Development Cost: $83,204.00

College Hill Foundation

• Project Title: Expanding Lavender Farm, Clean Up Program
• Project Description: Expansion of the beautification and community revitalization program that aims to transform once abandoned properties into healthy green spaces of botanical Lavender.
• Neighborhood: College Hill
• Address: 1436 Obear Ave, St. Louis, 63107
• Funding Award: $469,375.00
• Total Development Cost: $519,375.00
• Project Title:

GRO Health Center

• Project Title: GRO District Gardens
• Project Description: The GRO District project will serve to empower the community, encourage active participation in the local food economy, and provide diversity and resiliency to the St. Louis food supply chain with demonstration gardens.
• Neighborhood: Fountain Park/Lewis Place
• Address: 4616, 4618, 4700 McMillan, St. Louis, MO 63108; 911, 913, 916 Marcus, St. Louis, MO 63108; 4564, 4568, 4570, 4572, 4576, 4582, 4586, 4588, 4705, 4711, 4712, 4714, 4718, 4719, 4720, Kensington Place, St. Louis, MO 63108
• Funding Award: $335,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $2,825,098.00

Delmar Main St

• Project Title: Delmar Main Public Art
• Project Description: Delmar Main aims to unify the corridor by adding community-led elements of beautification and art installations that will bring people together, including public art sculptures and two murals at Delmar & Hamilton and 4561 Delmar.
• Neighborhood: West End / Skinker DeBaliviere
• Address: West End and Hamilton Heights Neighborhoods
• Funding Award: $245,000.00
• Total Development Cost: $245,000.00

 

Capacity Building

Applicant: Old North Saint Louis Restoration Group (ONSLRG)

• Project Title: Old North Staffing
• Project Description: Funding will support hiring a Project Manager for 3 years to oversee the construction of three new homes and a rehab currently being undertaken by ONSLRG, organize neighborhood meetings, ensure communication with neighbors, and help with fundraising and sponsorship efforts.
• Neighborhood: Old North STL
• Address: 1306 St. Louis Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63107
• Funding Award: $132,000.00

Applicant: Delmar Main St.

• Project Title: DMS Staffing
• Project Description: The Executive Director will lead the sustainability of the Delmar Main Street organization and collaborate with partners to implement the 2023-2026 Delmar Plan.
• Neighborhood: West End / Skinker DeBaliviere
• Address: 5501 Delmar Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112
• Funding Award: $200,000.00

Applicant: North Newstead

• Project Title: NNA Staffing
• Project Description: NNA will hire a full-time Asset Manager for three years to coordinate a comprehensive Property Condition Assessment. Pre-development tasks prepare for the rehabilitation of NNA's affordable housing portfolio.
• Neighborhoods: Various
• Address: 4601 Pope Ave. St. Louis, MO 63115
• Funding Award: $447,623.00

Applicant: Be Well Cafe Corp

• Project Title: Be Well Cafe Staffing
• Project Description: Hiring additional staff to support the expansion of the Hyde Park farmers market, kitchen, and cafe.
• Neighborhood: Hyde Park
• Address: 2027 Salisbury St, St. Louis, MO 63107
• Funding Award: $137,500.00

Applicant: St. Louis Art Place

• Project Title: Community Land Trust Staffing & Technical Assistance
• Project Description: Funding will support staff and contractual costs to support the development of St. Louis Art Place's Community Land Trust model.
• Neighborhood: Gravois Park
• Address: 3224 Locust St, St. Louis MO 63103
• Funding Award: $180,000.00

Applicant: Hope in the Ville

• Project Title: Community Gardens and Commissary Kitchen
• Project Description: Expansion of access to quality food with the construction of a commissary kitchen and the beautification of community gardens.
• Neighborhood: The Ville
• Address: 2401 Annie Malone Dr, St. Louis MO, 63113
• Funding Award: $30,475.00

Home Repair

Applicant: Employment Connection

• Project Title: Minor Exterior Home Repair Services for Seniors
• Project Description: Train youth to provide lawn maintenance and execute minor home repairs for low to moderate income homeowners.
• Neighborhoods: Citywide - EJI Priority Tracts (Penrose, O'Fallon, Fountain Park, Wells Goodfellow, Hamilton Heights, Kingsway E&W, Dutchtown, Mt. Pleasant, Gravois Park, College Hill)
• Funding Award: $330,000.00

Applicant: Mission St. Louis

• Project Title: Minor Home Repair Program (MHRP)
• Project Description: Mission: St. Louis will complete 250+ repairs per year on 100+ homes per year at a cost of roughly $1,000 per repair.
• Neighborhoods: Citywide - EJI Priority Tracts (Various)
• Funding Award: $795,270.00

Applicant: Harambee

• Project Title: Minor Home Repair / Youth Training Corporation
• Project Description: Train youth to provide tuckpointing services and minor home repairs to roughly 90 low to moderate income homeowners.
• Neighborhoods: Citywide - EJI Priority Tracts (Various)
• Funding Award: $600,000.00

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About the Community Development Administration (CDA): The Community Development Administration (CDA) serves as the City of St. Louis’ clearinghouse for federal, state, and local funds. CDA works to implement the Mayor's economic justice agenda by funding a wide range of public and nonprofit entities to provide public services, build affordable housing, combat blight, and conduct various other community development activities.