According to the City of St. Louis, the municipal government has posted the first drafts of neighborhood recovery plans for the ten neighborhoods most affected by the May 2025 tornado. The plans are intended to guide long‑term revitalization, improve safety, and attract investment, making them a critical step for residents seeking to rebuild their communities.
The draft documents cover two planning areas. Plan Area 4 includes Hamilton Heights, Wells‑Goodfellow, Kingsway West, College Hill, Fairground Neighborhood, Penrose and O’Fallon. Plan Area 5 encompasses Academy, Fountain Park and Lewis Place. Together, the two areas represent the last two neighborhoods still awaiting formal recovery strategies.
Each plan outlines a vision that emphasizes quality housing, active public spaces, and expanded recreation for all ages. Other focal points include neighborhood safety, walkability, support for local businesses, and the creation of welcoming amenities. The city says these priorities reflect extensive engagement with residents, community groups and local stakeholders conducted since the tornado’s aftermath.
To collect community input, the city will host three in‑person review sessions for Plan Area 4. The meetings are scheduled for November 12 (3:30‑5:00 p.m.) at the Divoll Branch Library, November 16 (5:30‑7:30 p.m.) at the Julia Davis Branch Library, and November 17 (5:00‑7:00 p.m.) at the Bayer YMCA. Sessions for Plan Area 5 will be announced later.
On Friday, November 13, a pop‑up demonstration will take place at Granville Gardens, a new community garden at 1400 Granville Place. Organized with the GRE Foundation through the city’s Vacancy to Vibrancy Small Grant program, the event will showcase raised garden beds, temporary traffic‑calming improvements on Ridge Avenue, and provide copies of the draft plans for residents to review and discuss with planners.
Residents can also examine the drafts online at planstl.com and submit comments electronically. The city encourages written feedback to be sent to [email protected]. Kia Murray, the mayor’s press secretary, is listed as the point of contact for additional questions.
What’s next? After the November review sessions, the planning team will incorporate public comments and finalize the plans later this winter. The finalized documents will guide future neighborhood investments, including housing projects, streetscape upgrades, and support for local businesses, helping St. Louis residents move forward from the tornado’s devastation.
Sources: stlouis-mo.gov
