First Drafts of Last Two Neighborhood Area Plans for Tornado Zone

The City of St. Louis has released the first drafts of neighborhood plans for the last two areas, representing 10 neighborhoods, impacted by the May 2025 tornado. Residents, organizations and community members are invited to review the plans and provide feedback.

The planning processes began shortly after the tornado and included engagement with residents and community members to identify neighborhood priorities, challenges, opportunities and long-term goals. The plans reflect community input and outline strategies to support neighborhood recovery, revitalization, and investment.

The draft plans cover two planning areas:

• Plan Area 4: Hamilton Heights, Wells-Goodfellow, Kingsway West, College Hill, Fairground Neighborhood, Penrose, and O’Fallon.
• Plan Area 5: Academy, Fountain Park, and Lewis Place.

The plans lay the vision to rebuild communities, strengthen existing assets, and create quality housing and amenities. Key topics include housing, recreation and activities for all ages, neighborhood safety and walkability, local businesses, and welcoming, active public spaces.

The City will host opportunities for residents to review the Plan Area 4 draft, share comments, and discuss recommendations. Plan Area 5 review sessions will be announced at a later date.

Plan Area 4 Community review sessions:

• Nov 12 | 3:30–5:00 p.m.
  Divoll Branch Library
  4234 N. Grand Blvd.
• Nov 16 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
  Julia Davis Branch Library
  4415 Natural Bridge Ave.
• Nov 17 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
  Bayer YMCA
  5555 Page Blvd.

Residents are also invited to the Plan Area 4 pop-up demonstration, where the community will celebrate the transformation of a vacant lot into Granville Gardens, a new community garden at 1400 Granville Place. Developed in partnership with the GRE Foundation through the City's Vacancy to Vibrancy Small Grant program, the project demonstrates how vacant properties can become productive community spaces—one of the strategies featured in the neighborhood plan.

Friday, November 13  Beginning at 12:00 p.m.
Granville Gardens
1400 Granville Place

Visitors can see raised garden beds being installed, connect with community partners including the Vacancy Collaborative and Seed STL, pick up a copy of the neighborhood plan and discuss recommendations with the planning team. Temporary traffic-calming improvements along Ridge Avenue will also be demonstrated to explore ways to improve neighborhood safety.

Community feedback will help shape the final plans and guide future neighborhood investments.  Residents can review the draft plans online at planstl.com.

Questions or comments can be directed to info@planstl4.com.