RHCDA

Mayor Francis Slay, 5th ward Alderwoman April Ford Griffin and City Treasurer Larry Williams joined a group of about one hundred people for a ceremonial "Streetbreaking" at Crown Square last Thursday, October 30. Guests were there to witness first-hand RHCDA's remarkable work in transforming Old North St. Louis, one of St. Louis' oldest and most historic neighborhoods. Two long-time residents, Johnnie Owens and John Bratkowski, shared their thoughts about what the transformation of the neighborhood and the reopening of 14th Street means to them.

The Crown Square development is bringing the "town center" of historic Old North St. Louis back to life with 80 townhouses, garden, "live/work" and loft apartments, and 34,000 square feet of commercial space on and around the former 14th Street pedestrian mall. This comprehensive revitalization also includes the re-opening of the streets that were closed in 1977 and the reuniting of a commercial district with its neighbors. Our gathering marked the planned street reopening, which will be completed in 2009 and will bring this historic neighborhood back together and back to life.

Guests also had the opportunity to take "hard hat" tours of the development and, of course, Crown Cancy Kitchen chocolates and ice cream were served!