The Gravois-Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods Plan is a community-driven roadmap for the future of Benton Park West, Dutchtown, Gravois Park, and Mount Pleasant – vibrant and diverse neighborhoods in St. Louis City. Developed with extensive resident input and adopted by the St. Louis City Planning Commission in May 2018, the plan articulates a clear vision for creating “accessible, sustainable, inclusive neighborhoods where families and individuals thrive in a diverse and historically rich, engaged community.”
This vision, established by a Resident Steering Committee, guides specific actions and initiatives designed to enhance the quality of life for all residents. Sources and related content
As part of the national EPA Community Change Technical Assistance, We participated in extensive planning and fundraising to fund and begin implementing the Gravois Jefferson Historical Community Plan for the area around Marquette Park. Check our project out at the 4:47 mark.
Turning Vision into Action
The Gravois-Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods Plan is more than just a document; it’s a catalyst for positive change. To transform this vision into reality, the St. Louis Arts Chamber is collaborating with community partners, including Dutchtown Main Streets, Allies of Marquette Park, and the Thomas Dunn Learning Center. Together, we are empowering residents to build capacity and implement projects that celebrate the unique arts and culture of these neighborhoods.
Capacity Building Priorities
Recognizing that capacity building is essential for sustainable community development, the Arts Chamber is working with the Gravois-Jefferson neighborhoods to strengthen key areas:
- Physical Infrastructure: Improving and revitalizing key community assets like Marquette Park, the Thomas Dunn Learning Center, Cherokee and Nebraska streets, and the Compton Plaza.
- Financial Capital: Securing grant funding and donations to support community initiatives.
- People Skills: Developing skills in grant research and writing, planning and executing calls for art, and fostering community engagement.
- Human Resource Development: Providing job skill development and training opportunities for residents.
- Strategic Planning: Establishing an implementation committee and engaging stakeholders in collaborative planning processes.
- Cultural Expression: Leveraging resources at the Thomas Dunn Learning Center, including an expanded community trauma-informed arts program, to promote cultural expression through festivals, murals, and other creative initiatives.
By focusing on these key areas, the St. Louis Arts Chamber and its partners are building a strong foundation for the successful implementation of the Gravois-Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods Plan, ensuring that the community’s vision translates into tangible improvements and lasting impact.
Plan/Programs being Implemented
Infrastructure
Marquette Park
East seven acres of Marquette Park was a lake, later filled with concrete to be a pool.
While the concrete has largely been filled in to create a more moderate sized pool, the concrete base along with the topography of the park creates flooding for several months of the year.
Marquette Park, a vital community hub in the Dutchtown South neighborhood of St. Louis, is envisioned as a vibrant, multi-generational space. Guided by the Gravois-Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods Plan and the Marquette Park Plan, the park boasts numerous assets, including athletic fields, a playground, community programs, and the city’s largest free public pool. Despite these strengths, Marquette Park faces challenges that hinder its full potential:
- Maintenance and Aesthetics: Poor maintenance, minimal connectivity, and scarce seating detract from the park’s usability and aesthetic appeal.
- Undeveloped Spaces: Many public spaces within the park remain underdeveloped, limiting opportunities for community engagement and recreation.
- Environmental Concerns: Insufficient tree canopy contributes to heat island effects and poor air quality, directly impacting the health of residents, particularly concerning high rates of respiratory and cardiac issues as well as serious flooding 304 months our of the year.
Marquette Park is poised for a transformation that will enhance its role as a vibrant community hub. By addressing existing challenges and implementing planned improvements, the park will become a truly thriving space that promotes health, well-being, and social connection for all residents.
Key projects underway include:
- Stormwater Management: Addressing water runoff issues on the west side of the park, mitigating flooding along Compton Avenue and the east side hill, and connecting the sewers to the sewer system.
- Compton Plaza: Transforming Compton Avenue adjacent to the park into a vibrant art plaza that hosts community events, slows traffic, and connects both sides of the park.
- Urban Greening: Planting 180 trees (2-4 inch caliper) throughout the park to increase shade, improve air quality, and enhance the overall aesthetic appeal.
- Fitness and Art Trail: Creating a multi-use trail on the east side of the park for fitness activities, walking, and biking, while also providing spaces for community artwork.
- Amphitheater: Constructing an amphitheater on the west side of the park to host performances and community gatherings.
- Bioswale and Native Plantings: Installing a bioswale with native plants to address flooding and improve water quality.
- Herb Garden: Creating an herb garden around the Thomas Dunn Learning Center to provide educational and recreational opportunities.
Community Involvement:
The Community Garden Club welcomes new members to help design, install, and maintain native gardens specifically designed to absorb floodwater, improve air quality, and mitigate heat island effects. Click here to learn more and sign up to be an AmeriCorps Volunteer with us!
These projects, driven by community input and collaboration, will transform Marquette Park into a welcoming and sustainable space for all.
Thomas Dunn Learning Center
The Thomas Dunn Learning Center, a beloved community hub nestled in the southeast corner of Marquette Park, has been serving the Dutchtown neighborhood since 1991. Designed by Ittner and Bowersox, Inc. with natural lighting, energy conservation, and the wishes of its namesake in mind, the ADA-accessible facility offers a range of resources, including classrooms, a computer lab, library, art lab, training kitchen, and a small auditorium.
This award-winning building (recognized by the American Institute of Architecture and the City of St. Louis for its design excellence) is a vital resource for the community, hosting diverse programs such as:
- High School Equivalency classes
- Camps for youth
- A drop-in center
- Civic council meetings
- Arts classes
- A community garden
Despite its importance, the Thomas Dunn Learning Center faces critical challenges:
- Leaky Roof: Water damage is causing significant issues, including the growth of black mold.
- Outdated HVAC System: The aging HVAC system struggles to maintain comfortable temperatures, hindering the center’s ability to serve as a heating and cooling center during extreme weather.
- Unhealthy Environment: These issues contribute to an unhealthy indoor environment, impacting the health and well-being of staff, volunteers, and community members who utilize the center.
Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring that the Thomas Dunn Learning Center can continue to serve as a vital resource and safe haven for the community.The arts are poised to play an even greater role in the revitalization of the Gravois-Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods. Plans are underway to expand arts programming in exciting ways, including:
- After-School Programs: Engaging youth in creative activities and providing opportunities for artistic expression.
- Park Exhibitions: Showcasing art throughout Marquette Park, creating an interactive and engaging experience for visitors.
- Senior Gathering Spaces: Developing dedicated spaces for seniors to connect, socialize, and participate in arts programming.
These initiatives will further enhance the cultural vibrancy of the community and contribute to a more inclusive and engaging environment for residents of all ages.
Streetscapes beginning with Cherokee and Nebraska
As part of the environmental projects, designs for intersections along the watershed include curb bump outs with trees and native plants.
Compton Plaza
Compton Avenue currently divides Marquette Park, creating a barrier between the two sides. Its hardscape surface contributes to stormwater runoff issues, with water flowing down the hill on the west side and accumulating on the low-lying areas on the east side. Pedestrian safety is also a concern, as speeding traffic makes it difficult to cross Compton Avenue.
The proposed solution offers a multi-faceted approach:
- Traffic Calming: Interventions will be implemented to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety.
- Art Plaza: Compton Avenue adjacent to the park will be transformed into a vibrant art plaza, creating a welcoming space for community events and connecting the two sides of the park.
- Temporary Closures: The plaza will be designed to allow for temporary closures during events like Marquette Community Days and Juneteenth, providing safe and flexible space for community gatherings.
This transformation of Compton Avenue will not only address environmental and safety concerns but also create a more inviting and unified park experience for all residents. Some examples:
Reno Nevada
Saginaw Michigan
Syracuse NY
Florence Italy
Financing
Grants
Fueled by a powerful combination of federal, state, and local support, the Gravois-Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods are turning their vision into reality. Projects outlined in the community plan are now being implemented, thanks to funding from the EPA, DOE, DOT, Missouri DED NAP, AmeriCorps CCAC, AmeriCorps State and National, and VISTA.
Donations
Ongoing support is critical to the actual implementation and maintenance of the improvements. We are accessing public funding but need the public to also fund the project! To donate, click here. Business donations to this project are eligible for 50% match in Missouri tax credits which can be used over 5 years and the balance may be deductible on federal taxes. For more information on the MIssouri Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credits, click here.
Volunteers and In-Kind Donations
Interested in supporting the project as a volunteer or with in-kind resources? Contact Sandy.
Educational and Job Skills Programs
The St. Louis Arts Chamber and its partners are committed to fostering workforce development within the Gravois-Jefferson Historic Neighborhoods. Guided by the neighborhood plan and the requirements of federal grants, we are creating innovative pathways to connect residents with good jobs, particularly in the environmental sector.
Our initiatives include:
- Walking Softer Program: Providing community education on environmental stewardship and sustainability practices.
- AmeriCorps National and State Program: Bridging the gap between traditional education and employment by connecting high school interns with summer training and job opportunities, leading to long-term career pathways.
These programs demonstrate our commitment to building a skilled workforce that can contribute to the environmental and economic revitalization of the Gravois-Jefferson community.
Strategic Planning
Expanding Collaborations
Prioritizing environmental sustainability and community health, we have partnered with esteemed programs at St. Louis University and Washington University. Furthermore, we have developed a collaboaration to replicate the impressive results of a park renovation project in Louisville Ky. that demonstrated a 13% reduction in blood-borne factors associated with heart disease. This collaboration and research-based approach will ensure that our efforts to revitalize Marquette Park yield significant and measurable health benefits for the Gravois-Jefferson community.
Cultural Expression
Once the necessary infrastructure improvements are in place, Marquette Park will become a canvas for a vibrant array of public art and cultural experiences. Imagine:
- Community Art Exhibitions: Showcasing the talents of local artists and fostering a sense of community pride.
- Festivals and Performances: Hosting lively events that bring people together to celebrate music, dance, and cultural traditions.
- Enhanced Movie Nights: Creating a unique outdoor cinema experience under the stars.
- Expanded Sculpture Garden: Transforming the park into an interactive outdoor gallery.
- Public Art along the Fitness Trail: Integrating art into the natural landscape, encouraging both physical activity and artistic appreciation.
These are just a few of the exciting possibilities that await Marquette Park. By integrating art and culture into the revitalization efforts, the park will become a truly dynamic and engaging destination for residents and visitors alike.