Community Engagement

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Community Engagement

Shaping land use with the people of St. Louis

This update to the SLUP was developed with people who care about St. Louis. The experiences, expertise, and dreams of the people of St. Louis guided this plan in its creation and will continue to shape its implementation and impact for years to come.

Community engagement was a key part of every phase of this planning process: before any planning started, as initial ideas and challenges were identified, as drafts began to emerge, and as the plan was finalized. Throughout this process we sought to demystify land use as well as learn with and from people. Most people who shared their wisdom are or were residents of the city. The team also heard from potential future residents, as well as visitors and other stakeholders. In the following pages, you'll learn more about how folks were involved in the creation of this document, responding to current and envisioned land use with their ideas and deep knowledge about St. Louis.

The people of St. Louis love this city — this plan represents their aspirations for this place we share together.

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This diagram shows a snapshot of all the ways the people of St. Louis participated in this process. In the following pages, learn more about each type of engagement.

⬚ figure SLUP Scoop Newsletter Issue #3: The Plan

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Guided by residents

Steering Committee

The resident steering committee (introduced on page 146) was a core part of the planning team, and also an important bridge and communicator of the public engagement process.

“When I think about the future of land use in St. Louis, I am most excited about the opportunities we can create to include all stakeholders in the process. This includes residents, businesses, schools, the creative and faith communities, and City officials. The sky is the limit once we are able to work together in shaping the fabric of a thriving St. Louis.”

• Kelly McGowan

Selection by Lottery

In fall 2023, over 100 people applied to join the steering committee. From the original list there were over 80 applicants who live in the city of St. Louis. By random draw, 25 candidates were drawn, and a final group of 11 was selected that represented diverse geographies, racial backgrounds, and time in St. Louis.

Charged to ensure the SLUP aligns with current needs while reflecting the aspirations

The members of the steering committee were invited to help guide priorities for the plan, establishing a feedback loop between the City, the consultant team, and St. Louis residents. To do this, the steering committee met throughout the planning process, beginning in November 2023 and concluding in February 2025. During meetings, the steering committee reviewed draft materials, giving first reactions and spotting things that needed more consideration. Steering committee members also reviewed materials outside of meetings, attended public workshops and events, and supported engaging with the people they are connected with in the community.

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In fall 2023, over 100 people applied to join the steering committee.

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These Steering committee members represented diverse geographies, racial backgrounds, and time living in St. Louis.

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Throughout the SLUP update process, the consultant team met with the Steering Committee to review updates.

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“I am thrilled about the wonderfully diverse future generations flourishing in a city that wasn’t originally designed for them. The prospect of current and future residents enjoying a walkable environment, affordable housing, and public spaces that are safe for everyone is truly inspiring. I feel genuinely grateful to be involved in the discussions that contribute to the city’s progress.”

• Sapna Bhakta

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Involved throughout the process:

• November 14, 2023 Kick-off and discussion of ideal future land use
• January 22, 2024 Discussion topics, visions, and priorities emerging from the public
• March 18, 2024 Discussion about vision and goals
• May 13, 2024 Review of updated draft designations and framework
• June 6, 2024 Review of draft detailed map
• August 26, 2024 Review of plan framing and strategies for St. Louis
• October 18 & 22, 2024 Review of draft plan

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Steering Committee

We asked each member of the Steering Committee the following question: “Why do you want to be part of the steering committee?” Here’s what they said!

Sapna Bhakta

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“Over the past decade, I have resided in various neighborhoods within the city limits, such as Tower Grove East, Botanical Heights, The Tiffany, and currently, Lafayette Square. I have a vested interest in the capacity building and the promising potential of the city’s bright future.”

Bernard Powderly

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“I love giving back to the community and am fully invested in making the City of St. Louis a better place for all.”

Kelly McGowan

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“As a health equity advocate, I’m interested in efforts to dismantle the racist policies and practices that have resulted in the segregation and intentional disinvestment in communities of color. I am interested in contributing to efforts that can truly transform our city and ensure ALL residents live in thriving built environments.”

Stephanie McCloud

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“I want to gain knowledge of the city planning process and help it be inclusive for all.”

Christian Frommelt

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“I was born and raised in St. Louis and have been variously proud, heartbroken, and hopeful for how our historic river town-turned-metropolis-turned-post-industrial underdog can truly meet the moment and live up to the ideals of its citizenry. I’m seeking new ways to be part of improving our city.”

Tom Radomski

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“I grew up in the city of St. Louis. However, I have spent most of my adult life living in other parts of the Midwest. Now that I have settled in St. Louis, I would love to get involved in my neighborhood as well as the city at large.”

Bob Sforza

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“As a lifelong St. Louisan, I feel a sense of civic duty to give back to the City which I call home. I feel my background and interests in urban planning and transportation enable me to have thoughtful conversations about the future of our region and the possibilities of building a better tomorrow for St. Louis residents and visitors alike.”

Twanya Banks

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“I’m a MO Realtor and land structuring (for example redlining) is detrimental to my profession”

Kasimu Taylor

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“Born and raised in St. Louis I have seen the neighborhoods that I’ve grown up in become spaces where those in the community have no voice in what their community will look like in the future. I’m an advocate for those people and this will allow me to be their voice in rooms that they’re not able to be in.”

Brady Williams DC

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“I am both a business owner and resident of the city of St. Louis, and I am passionate about its history and its future and I want to ensure that it grows again.”

Denean Vaughn

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“I’m a small business owner, homeowner, block captain, member of the Hyde Park neighborhood planning committee, and I’ve recently started a community led non-profit to serve the Hyde Park community. I enjoy meeting with and listening to community members to make our wonderful community better.”

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“I’m excited about utilizing and preserving future land use in St. Louis. Focusing on priorities that are important to the community such as equitability, and using resources around to revitalize land gives me a great sense of pride and duty to be a part of such a necessary task.”

• Stephanie McCloud

Informed by key implementation partners

Working Groups

The Working Groups were organized to bring deep technical and implementation expertise from across St. Louis into the update process.

47 Working Group Members

Selected for diverse expertise and experience

Working group members included City staff, organizational partners, and community leaders who have deep experience in fields like education, housing, resilience, economic development, and transit. (See full list of membership on page 380). Members were invited by the Planning and Urban Design Agency team.

Grounded in the conditions of St. Louis

Working group members and other stakeholders joined the project team to understand current conditions in St. Louis, participating in walking and driving tours. Tours included a walking tour of the Ville neighborhood with community leaders, site visits to green infrastructure locations, a driving tour of developments being built in the city and region, and a tour of the Mississippi Riverfront.

Organized around three project pillars

Each working group was formed around a pillar that is critical to the future of St. Louis. Participants were invited to join working groups based on their relevant expertise, and then each working group was tasked with offering their input within the framing of that pillar. Although there was overlap in the perspectives of the working groups, this allowed deeper discussion and exploration into these critical topics.

Quality of Life

• Experiences that make someone want to stay in St. Louis, or come here and stay
• Affordability in housing, transportation, utilities, and other costs
• Health, well-being, and enjoyment
• Growth and development to retain current residents and attract new ones

Resilience

• Being able to recover from severe weather events that disrupt life in the city
• Being prepared for increases in heat, rainfall, and other climate changes
• Health and well-being outcomes related to environmental stressors such as air quality and heat
• Long-term trajectories for the region

Equity

• Addressing historic inequities, particularly racist disinvestment and decisions.
• Balancing current needs while healing past harms caused by planning
• Maintaining affordability and resilience
• Balancing the needs of the city with the needs and actions across the region

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⬚ figure Working Group Meeting on Vision & Goals

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Involved throughout the process

Working group members met in their groups 6 times, with some additional sessions that were open to all working group members. In addition to participating in meetings, working group members reviewed drafts and provided feedback, as well as supported public engagement through coordinating and hosting small groups and roundtables with their constituents and members, sharing public opportunities, and attending public events.

December 14 & 15, 2023 — Expectation setting and initial discussion

January 22, 2024 — Discussion topics, visions, and priorities emerging from the public

February 22 & 23, 2024 — Discussion of the roles a land use plan can play

March 26, 2024 — Review and refinement of draft goals

April 11, 2024 (all working groups) — Review of draft designations and framework plan

May 22, 2024 — Identifying allied implementation strategies for plan goals

August 27 & 28, 2024 — Review of plan framing and strategies for St. Louis

October 24 & 29, 2024 (all working groups) — Review of draft plan

With input from stakeholders

Roundtables

Stakeholder roundtables were opportunities to hear from people who have specific roles in land use implementation in St. Louis.

Roundtables were held after initial vision, goals, and concepts were developed with substantial public input, allowing space for participants to respond to these concepts based on their expertise as developers, industrial land managers, urban farmers, and more. Over 100 people participated in this series of gatherings.

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11 Roundtables

Stakeholder roundtables designed to fill gaps in knowledge about specific topics with people who have specific roles in land use and implementation.

100+ stakeholders participated in roundtables

Framed to expand understanding

Roundtables were designed to address questions that go beyond the expertise of the general public and fill in gaps in knowledge about specific topics or experiences. Roundtables sought to understand these things:

How development and land use happens broadly

Sessions with development groups and individuals were designed to help understand how development and land use happens at both large and small scales across the city. Between April and June 2024, there were four sessions open to anyone in the development community, as well as one session specifically for community development professionals. During these sessions, participants reacted to draft designations and ideas about land use. A session was held with Greater St. Louis, Inc to understand overlaps with their efforts, as well as a session open to Community Improvement District and Business District managers to understand the opportunities and challenges in commercial corridors and districts. In addition, a session with stakeholders on Laclede’s Landing helped to understand that district.

Industrial land use, the Port of St. Louis, and rail use

Sessions with industrial landowners, City of St. Louis staff, and regional advocates helped expose the needs and opportunities around industrial use, including responding to the draft flexible industrial designation, river access questions, and other related needs.

Urban farming, active green space use, and resilience

One session was held with urban farmers and other stakeholders who use land in the city for green uses, both economic and ecological—including people working on resilience infrastructure and land trusts. This session was designed to understand the challenges and limitations of the current regulations and processes, as well as gather feedback on the draft approach to green space designations.

Neighborhood-scale economic development

The Neighborhood Transformation Managers team supports coordination in neighborhoods to promote and initiate equitable economic development. A session with this team was designed to seek their input on how draft materials would be understood and used by the public and to set up their participation in review of a draft detailed parcel map.

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Green Space Roundtable Session

Informed and shaped by the people of St. Louis

Public Engagement by the Numbers

• 1,700+ People We've had direct interaction with people through workshops, surveys, and pop-ups through multiple rounds of engagement.
• 15 Pop-Ups Pop-up locations have been around St. Louis at YMCAs, The Print Bazaar, Small Business Saturday, Vacancy Collaborative, The Foundry, and more!
• 3 SLUP Scoops We published 3 extensive newsletters throughout the SLUP update.
• 20 Small Groups The focus groups have been both virtual and in person with fun activities and tools relating to land use.
• 11 Roundtables Stakeholder roundtables designed to fill gaps in knowledge about specific topics with people who have specific roles in land use and implementation.
• 4 Surveys There have been over 760+ responses from 4 different SLUP surveys.
• 32 Public Workshops There were over 30 public workshops — both in-person and virtual — starting in November 2023 and continuing through the end of 2024.
• 19 Presentations The SLUP team participated in creating and presenting 19 times to different groups about the project.
• 26 Virtual Activities
• 63 In-Person Activities There were 63 in-person activities throughout the SLUP project.

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SLUP Final Workshop & Celebration

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Informed and shaped by the people of St. Louis

Public Engagement by the Numbers

Of the 1,700 people who have participated, the team collected some demographic information from over 1,200 people. Based on what they shared, here are some details about who participated:

About 1,125 people told us about where they lived, and about 1,060 of those people identified as being current city residents. About 50% of those folks live in zip codes that overlap with a qualified census tract, which is a designation that the federal government gives to areas where 50% or more of the households have incomes below 60% of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or have a poverty rate of 25% or more. The team heard from at least one resident in every residential zip code within city limits.

Two zip codes fully within city limits were overrepresented based on their population: 63104 (Lafayette Square, Soulard) and 63110 (Forest Park Southeast, Shaw, the Hill). One zip code was underrepresented based on their population: 63111 (Carondelet, Mt. Pleasant).

Of the 1,160 people who shared their race or ethnicity, 34% identified as something other than white. 24% identified as Black or African American, 4% identified as Asian, and 5% identified as Hispanic or Latinx. 60% of participants identified as white alone.

Experiences of specific groups often underrepresented in public engagement

There were a number of types of people who have critical perspectives to the development of a long-range land use plan in St. Louis that the team wanted to be sure to reach, including young people, people with disabilities, and people knowledgeable of the experience of new Americans, including immigrants and refugees. Working with existing city groups, a number of dedicated sessions were held, organized with the Universal Design Group led by the Office for the Disabled, the Office for New Americans, SLATE Youth Jobs, the Mayor's Youth Cabinet, and the City Youth Council. These sessions sought feedback and input on portions of the draft plan and to learn more about the opportunities and challenges for people in St. Louis.

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⬚ figure Universal Design Group, organized by the Office for the Disabled

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⬚ figure Public Engagement Meeting Locations in St. Louis

Starting with awareness: who’s heard of the SLUP?

Sharing information about the SLUP and the update process

Part of this process was introducing the St. Louis community to the SLUP and how it impacts our city.

At early meetings about the update to the SLUP, the team would ask folks who had heard of the SLUP before. Usually, only current and former planning staff or commissioners would raise their hands. So to help raise awareness across the city about comprehensive planning, and the SLUP specifically, the team told the story of the SLUP widely. This included a robust website, an Instagram account that shared about both the process and what the team was learning through engagement and analysis, presentations, and newsletters known as the SLUP Scoop.

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Starting with awareness: who’s heard of the SLUP?

SLUP Scoop Newsletters

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There were 3 different issues of the SLUP Scoop Newsletters that were distributed throughout the SLUP update.

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SLUP Scoop Issue #1: Let’s Get Going!

SLUP Scoop Issue #2: Existing Conditions

SLUP Scoop Issue #3: What’s The Plan?

The SLUP Scoops were a series of limited-run printed and online newsletters that shared the story of the land use plan.

Each SLUP Scoop included things like interviews, maps, images, descriptions, and interactive activities. The SLUP Scoops invited residents and stakeholders to participate in the process and reflect on their own experiences with land use in St. Louis. SLUP Scoops were distributed at public events as well as in public spaces like city buildings, cafés, and partners’ spaces.

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Starting with awareness: who’s heard of the SLUP?

SLUP Social Media @SLUP_stl

The SLUP Instagram account, @SLUP_stl, featured engagement activities, learnings from analysis, and more.

To help share the stories of land use planning across St. Louis, the team ran an Instagram account, @SLUP_stl, which featured engagement activities, learnings from analysis, and more. The @SLUP_stl account had over 1,000 followers, and one reel had over 318,000 views. Some posts, like that reel, received a lot of interest and attention.

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Presentations

To help raise awareness and excitement about the SLUP, the team took the show on the road.

The team visited neighborhood meetings, town halls, and other community meetings to share an overview of the update process and invite folks to participate through upcoming workshops or surveys. The team did 20 presentations, including two informational sessions about the draft and adopted plan.

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An iterative process of public engagement

Public Engagement Process

There were many iterative phases of hearing from the public throughout this process, allowing people to contribute at multiple points along the way.

Along with gathering valuable input, a primary goal of engagement throughout the process was to support members of the public to have a positive experience where they felt heard and had their questions answered. This iterative schedule and approach supported growing and deepening relationships with engaged community members throughout the process.

"St. Louis is hyper focused on the neighborhood — we need to reconnect and integrate neighborhoods to create buy-in to the larger city identity as a whole. We need to be one cohesive city for future success while celebrating the individuality or identities of unique neighborhoods."

• City Resident

"I love this city, and I'm excited for our future. I know we can be a leader in education, environment, medicine, and tolerance. We have never stopped being a great city, we just seem to have forgotten. We need something to remind us and make us proud again."

• City Resident

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2023 | 2024 NOV | DEC | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY

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"I think vibrancy for me would also be kind of the opposite of 'suburbs'... so plenty of sidewalks and a mix of buildings close to the curb."

• City Resident

"I love the city and see its potential, but want to be mindful of its past. Less demolition, and more taking advantage of what makes us unique!"

• City Resident

January 2024 — March 2024 Exploring Tensions

PHASE GOALS • Continue introducing the public to the Strategic Land Use Plan and the planning process • Explore tensions and trade-offs on particular topics that have risen from the first round of engagement • Seek input on prioritization of potential visions for the future of St. Louis

PHASE ACTIVITIES • 6 public workshops • 11 small groups

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"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make improvements for the health, safety and well-being of the people that love this city."

• City Resident

"St. Louis can have a strong future if and only if we are able to reach across our divides."

• City Resident

October 2024 — December 2024 Draft Plan

PHASE GOALS • Inspire the public about future aspirations for land use • Build buy-in for adoption • Prompt for and respond to remaining open questions from the public • Clarify any final narrative, storytelling, and communication details

PHASE ACTIVITIES • 1 public workshop • 2 Virtual public information sessions • Opportunities for public review and comment

JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC

June 2024 — July 2024 First Look: Parcel Map

PHASE GOALS • Gather input on specifics of designations, including the language, examples, and components. • Seek feedback on refined framework map. • Seek feedback on where designations should be on the map at a block level • Prompt for reaction to the refined vision and goals

PHASE ACTIVITIES • 13 public workshops • 6 small groups • 61 survey responses

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"If people want to live in unwalkable sprawling communities, they have an unlimited variety of suburbs to choose from, but the city should go all in when it comes to being a proper city."

• City Resident

• ADDITIONAL REVIEW In addition to new public engagement, the team also reviewed previous plans, comments from the public related to the Rams Settlement distribution, and past engagement efforts related to land use.

What Works Well & What Has Potential

Public Engagement Activity

In this first phase, people thought of a place in St. Louis that has potential to be better or that works well now. They picked a map to start with, based on the previous land use designations — and then using stickers, drawing, and their own creativity, they made changes to the land use to improve on the place they were thinking of. People wanted to see more walkable areas, emphasized the need for access to amenities, and expressed the desire to build on the strengths and assets in St. Louis, among many other topics.

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The colorful stickers for this activity visualized different building types, land uses, and intensities. As people imagined how they would make places in St. Louis better, they also shared why these places work well or have potential and why they made the changes they did.

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Exploring Tensions

Public Engagement Activity

This phase was an opportunity to dig deeper into some tricky questions that the land use plan must grapple with, all of which emerged from initial themes in public engagement. Tensions that came up included serving current residents versus potential future residents and visitors, designing the city for walking versus for driving, and addressing vacancy by filling in buildings or leaving land clear to serve other ecological or social purposes. Through a series of activities, people shared their thoughts about how to balance these tensions.

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Activities encouraged participants to explore the challenging tensions in land use planning, making the real trade-offs that the SLUP makes. After responding to the prompt with stickers and drawing, participants discussed their responses, sharing different perspectives from across the city.

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First Look: Framework Plan

Public Engagement Activity

Once the team had a draft of designations and a draft vision for the future of St. Louis, people took a look at these drafts as well as an early map, reacting with their questions, concerns, and ideas. People shared thoughts about where in the city there should be taller buildings and where things should stay similar to how they are now. Residents were also asked to give feedback on naming conventions and descriptions of designations so they are easy to understand.

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First Look: Parcel Map

Public Engagement Activity

Using the draft vision for land use, the team created a first draft of a parcel map. Referring to drawings depicting the designations, people across the city reviewed geographic areas they were familiar with and gave feedback on how this draft aligned with their aspirations and expectations. They were also able to identify parcels and designations where the aspirations didn't match the reality and shared what else they would want to know or see to understand this plan in its final form.

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The voices of the public, throughout this plan

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Throughout the plan, you’ll see quotes and stories that serve as examples of themes that emerged from residents and other stakeholders. The quotes you’ll see are representative of strong sentiments across St. Louis.

Most of the input provided in this plan was qualitative, meaning that it was about experiences, stories, and feelings rather than things that can be quantified. The team, working with the Steering Committee and the Working Groups, assessed all of the themes that emerged to understand and determine their relevance to the SLUP specifically. There are a few times in this document where you may see some quantification of public sentiment — this feedback came from responses to the Vision Survey, which asked people to prioritize what was most important to them.

Throughout our city, there are many things we agree on — but not everything. In making decisions for this plan, the team weighed information beyond input from the public, including data about existing conditions, regional trends, and the constraints of land use planning as a policy tool. This plan represents decisions that balance multiple perspectives and are realistic about our current and potential future context, while being rooted in our shared values.

Thank you for your input to create this plan and for the energy and support you will bring as we, as a city, move to implement these aspirations together.