
u/DowntownDB1226

Downtown backers let media see their effort
There are so many bizarre things here, but I think the author opens with a solid message at the beginning. A bunch of people who don't want to be quoted are sitting in a fancy high-rise conference room making decisions, claiming the group isn't exclusive while simultaneously stating it's by invitation only. To top it off, they state their main mission is to avoid duplicating efforts, yet all six items listed as their primary goals are direct duplications of what others are already doing.
British Airways increases weekly flights to London
British Airways to increase London (LHR) to St. Louis (STL) route:
• April 19-June 30 increased 4 → 7 weekly
• July 1 forward increased 4 → 5 weekly
Tech company opens a Downtown office
Freedom Technology Solutions opens office in Globe Building for 50 employees (& growing) in Downtown STL.
Other tenants include medical robotics manufacturer Stereotaxis, defense firm BAE Systems, General Dynamics , and geospatial firm T-Kartor.
The Columbia, Maryland-based company founded in 2004 works with the Department of Defense and NGA
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2026/09/08/freedom-technology-solutions-globe-building.html
Hi Res map of north city tornado area projects
There was a post today about $337m in north city projects but the map wasn’t legible in the stlpr story. Got a hi res from a contact at SLDC
City Foundry developer suggests entertainment may be the best use for The Armory
New + Found CEO Steve Smith has floated the idea to city leaders and the data center developer as something that could be a “win-win for everybody.”
The developers of the Midtown Data Center are open to this proposal, should it prove to resonate with the broader St. Louis community. TerraWatt co-founder and CEO David Daneshforooz confirms to SLM that Smith had approached them with the idea to return the building to entertainment use.
“It’s worth considering whether the highest use of The Armory is a major entertainment destination which can deliver a stronger overall plan for the area while maintaining the commitments, including jobs, we have made through this process,” Daneshforooz says in a statement.
Millennium progress (3 floors removed in 18 days)
Looking west- First image 18 days ago and 9 floors above the sign and today 6 floors above the sign
Image 3 is looking east today: 3 floors above the sign and on 8/14 there were 6.5 floors above the sign, in the middle of taking the 7th down.
Activist sue to stop midtown data center
The argument is funny, it’s the argument I said the developer could have made as well, that the executive order the mayor signed that required it to go to a hearing had no teeth since the city mayor cannot change the zoning code via executive order but that this also means is that by the current zoning code, this use is permitted without a hearing or any conditions; it’s a use by right. Interesting to see how to judge sees it.
Total jobs in the City in 2002 and 2023
City private sector, total and gov jobs in 2002 and 2023 (earliest and latest jobs data from the Census' On the Map portal)
Massive data center proposal coming to north city industrial park
The City is about to get a MASSIVE data center proposal for this area, it exceeds the $3b midtown data center
City migration by income level
2023 IRS filings data is out (3-year delay) and the same pattern for migration in and out of STL continues, City is losing residents with $50,000 or less income and gaining those with $50,000+ and especially $200,000+. This has been a long time trend. This helps explain why despite pop lose, there is 10,000 more occupied housing units in the city now than 10 years ago, why earnings tax is at all time high and partially the $250,000,000 in budget surpluses
Kiener grass is back
I think the fencing will stay around it for a while as the sod takes in. The seating area is all done and they’re doing some punch list fixes but that should be open pretty soon. Chairs are being unboxed right now.
Spending at various districts
This data compares Q1 2026 to Q1 2025. The State Department of Revenue was delayed in releasing this year's numbers. Typically, Q1 data—covering the quarter ending in late March—is published by the first week of May, but this year it was pushed back to August. We expect Q2 data to follow more quickly, likely within the next month or so.
Q1 figures can be hit-or-miss because businesses, particularly those starting at the end of Q4 or in early Q1, do not always submit their receipts on time. However, it still offers a useful year-over-year comparison.
Not in the graphic but hotels in the City did $83M in revenue in Q1 2026 v $73M in Q12025, +13%
Full-Service restaurants $107m v $100M in Q12025, +6%
We are in week 3 of no homicides
Last homicide was August 4th. Today starts day 15 of no homicides in STL city
How to contact SLMPD board members
As a city resident & a taxpayer, or someone who works in the city while living elsewhere—making you a city taxpayer as well—you have every right to engage with the Police Department’s commissioners. Whether you want to share a concern, offer a compliment, or simply talk about your day, you should know who to reach out and how to do so.
The contact information provided was released by the police department through a Sunshine Law request. If you choose to engage with board members, please always maintain a respectful and civil tone—it is the most effective way to foster a meaningful response and an open dialogue.
2 city high schools take the top 2 spots for best public high schools MO and top 100 nationally
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/missouri/rankings
Two St.Louis city public high schools take 1 & 2 spots for best Public High Schools in Missouri and the only two in the top 100 nationally
Metro # 1 in Missouri & 22 nationally
Collegiate #2 in Missouri & 90 nationally
Once again, it proves that SLPS has the ability and talent to educate kids at a very high level