Exciting Neighborhood Transformation Happening in St. Louis’ Near North Side
By Sophia Black, Washington University Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement 2025 St. Louis Fellow
Just north of downtown and a few blocks from the Mississippi River, a once distressed neighborhood is being revitalized. Preservation Square, a housing development in the Carr Square neighborhood, is transforming the community through the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI).
The City of Saint Louis was one of the few cities in the country selected for the prestigious Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2016. Along with Boston, MA; Camden, NJ; Denver, CO; and Louisville, KY, the city was awarded $29.5 million to kickstart and revitalize five neighborhoods: Carr Square, Columbus Square, Downtown West, Old North St. Louis, and St. Louis Place.
The grant is administered by the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration (CDA) in partnership with McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS) and Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI). Through the Choice Neighborhoods framework of three core pillars: housing, people, and neighborhoods, these partners are reimagining the five Near North Side communities by addressing housing, neighborhood revitalization, and people-centered investments.
CDA’s partnership with developer MBS has allowed for the rehabilitation of Preservation Square, which serves as a keystone example of the Choice Neighborhoods housing pillar. With a nearly $30 million federal grant, the project is leveraging over $250 million in total development to provide high-quality, affordable housing, improved neighborhood amenities, and expanded opportunities for residents.
USI leads the people-focused work of the Choice Neighborhoods partnership, providing case management, education support, and wraparound services to help families thrive.
Preservation Square, once the site of two Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher homes, has been transformed into a success story for neighborhood revitalization in St. Louis. According to residents and the developer, the development ensures that residents of all backgrounds have access to quality housing that fits their needs. The units range from one to three bedroom apartments and townhomes, creating a diverse mix of resident lifestyles.
With the completion of Phase 2b, Preservation Square stands as a shining example of the positive impact of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative in St. Louis.
