STL On the Cheap: Coming Things

What's Coming & What's New

St. Louis keeps growing in exciting ways, and we love to see it. Featured here are just a few highlights to watch. Keep looking forward!

STL Zoo WildCare Park - North Campus Expansion: Currently in process is the development of 425 acres of land along the river in North County to create a conservation and animal science center, along with educational programs, nature play experiences and wooded trails. This site will also feature a wildlife adventure park, which will be free to County and City residents, and include a fee for outside visitors.

Part of the development plan, which is currently being hashed out, includes the possibility of glamping. With wild animals. In North County. While I'm resisting the urge to mention a park full of dinosaurs here, this will be an interesting one to watch.

We've also learned the plan for the original zoo property expansion across the highway is actually part of a longer potential 20 year plan. This would include parking and walking access over I-64, possibly including gondola cars, that would then allow an expansion of the zoo itself into the current highway side parking lot. The zoo is relatively landlocked to about 90 acres at that property, so this may allow growth there in a creative way.

PROPOSED: Lighthouse Point, North County Riverfront: Excited by the changes to come in and around the WildCare Park, this is a proposed mixed-use development targeting 67 acres at 270 and Riverview, which was previously the North Shore Golf Course. This would feature a marina, water park, themed hotel, restaurants and shopping.

We are informed by a local officer that a number of changes are already beginning to take place in the NOCO area not far from the future park. With revitalization in the works, we hope this area we grew up in sees its heyday once again. (And, guys, don't forget our beloved old Jamestown Mall acreage while you're up there!)

Chain of Rocks Bridge Park Updates: Another NOCO favorite of ours, we're excited for the anticipated updates to this classic piece of old Route 66. (Where once upon a time at its rebirth I ended up with my name on a Trailnet plaque. True story.) These are some pretty solid and much needed upgrades, including new accessibility, event area, picnic pavilion, restrooms, ecosystem and habitat restoration, and improved security features. Anticipated completion is early 2024.

Westport Plaza: Westport makes the list yet again! After a flurry of recent updates, here come some shiny new ones. Gold glove shiny, even. Rawlings is moving their headquarters in, with plans to create a baseball fan experience. In addition, two new restaurant properties are slated to centralize, including 360 West, a duplicate of the downtown eatery taking over the old Robata space in the gold tower, and Soda Fountain Express, a miniature version of the dining experience that took over the former Hard Rock property at Union Station. And, for the first time ever, new living quarters will be available to rent at The Porter, a luxury apartment complex. Keep an eye out for a gold glove atop that gold tower as this place transforms once more.

39 North: Another improvement project with the potential to perk up yet another central locale. Creve Coeur in West County, right around main arteries Lindbergh and Olive, already plays host to several area plant science industry groups. In hopes of making the area even more attractive to ag-biz types, a major rebuild and update attempt is in the works. We've already seen new apartment housing sprouting up all around (and not just here), along with a significant redesign to the Linbergh at Olive interchange and other area updates, but the look ahead to new trails, restaurants and entertainment, with perhaps even another new microbrewery, stands to benefit locals in many ways as well.


Midtown Redevelopment: This exciting redevelopment plan covers 400 acres around SLU and near the Cortex Innovation Community, and presently includes the currently expanding City Foundry and The Armory District, plus hotel and greenway concepts. The Foundry is an especially ambitious project, now hosting a food hall with up to 20 local vendors, retail, art, entertainment, AN ACTUAL GROCERY STORE (yay, Fresh Thyme!) and much more. Some development slowed with the pandemic, but we're watching things come to life, even dropping by the Foundry for a free exotic auto show.
PROPOSED: Gateway South Project, South City Riverfront: Yet another Mississippi riverfront plan, this one south of the Arch. This 1.2 billion dollar development is eyeing 80 acres of Choteau's Landing. The plan, which hopes to create a new district including recreation, entertainment and residential features, is anticipated to take 10 years to full completion, which should mean ongoing area innovation if approved.

NextSTL: Per their own description, NextSTL covers the future of development, transportation and public policy in the region. As we continue to pray for growth and reinvigoration in and around every part of STL, it's all definitely worth keeping an eye on.

STL Partnership: This economic development team works in both St. Louis City and County to create infrastructure encouraging business growth. In case your eyes are glazing over, this isn't just about jobs, though that's huge. This group is behind and encouraging a lot of the recent explosion of great things in the area, and they're charting the latest details on what's to come. Just hover your mouse over their "Our Projects" tab for a quick sample.

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