CDA to Present $4.8 Million Check to Jubilee Community Development Corporation

The City of St. Louis Community Development Administration (CDA) is proud to support the transformative work of theJubilee Community Development Corporation in the Fairgrounds neighborhood.

On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 1:15 PM, CDA will present a ceremonial check for $4,787,030 to Jubilee CDC at the historic Eliot School Building, located at 4247 N. Florissant Ave. The funding will help rehabilitate the 51,380-square-foot Eliot School, built in 1898 and vacant since 2004, into the Jubilee Wellness Center—a state-of-the-art addiction treatment and recovery facility.

The $4.8 million in funding from the Community Development Administration (CDA) will support the transformative work of Jubilee Community Development Corporation in the Fairgrounds neighborhood. This funding is directed toward the rehabilitation of the historic Eliot School into the Jubilee Wellness Center. Built in 1898 and vacant since 2004, the 51,380-square-foot school building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility addressing critical issues like addiction, homelessness, and mental health. 

Jubilee Wellness Center is made possible by CDA Neighborhood Transformation Grants funded by Affordable Housing Production ($2.5M), HOME-ARP ($429K), ARPA ($500K), and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) ($1,358,000). CDA’s investment is leveraging additional private philanthropic support, as well as state and federal historic tax credits, making Jubilee Wellness Center one of the largest private developments north of the Delmar Divide in 75 years. The total project cost of $24 million is a collaborative effort to revitalize the neighborhood, honor the building’s historic architecture, and critically address the shortage of detox and recovery beds in St. Louis.

In addition, CDA is funding the Jubilee CDC’s conversion of the vacant Economy Inn Motel at 4206 N Grand Blvd. into a supportive housing center called Gethsemane Home with a grant of $1.157 million (HOME-ARP).

The Jubilee Wellness Center will provide 75-100 beds for addiction recovery and transitional housing, a medically assisted treatment clinic, fellowship spaces, training rooms, and supportive services. In partnership with the Assisted Recovery Centers of America (ARCA), the center will expand on Jubilee’s track record of providing holistic recovery programs that address not only physical and mental health but also economic stability and community reintegration.

Over the years, Jubilee has developed innovative programs, including addiction recovery homes, job training, and employment opportunities, while managing hundreds of apartments in north St. Louis. The organization’s success stories highlight their ability to create lasting change and empower individuals to rebuild their lives and become community leaders.

The Jubilee Wellness Center is a testament to the power of partnership and community-driven development, offering hope and opportunity to individuals and families facing some of the region’s most pressing challenges.

About the Community Development Administration (CDA): The CDA serves as the City of St. Louis' hub for federal, state, and local funds, implementing the Mayor's economic justice agenda. By funding public and nonprofit entities, the CDA supports a wide range of initiatives, including public services, affordable housing development, blight eradication, and other community development activities. www.stlouis-mo.gov/cda/