Origin

The Locust Business District (LBD) was incorporated pursuant to Ordinance 58728, approved December 23, 1982 relating to the Locust Business District, a special business district, established through provisions of Section 71.790-71.808 R.S.Mo. and as amended by the Board of Aldermen December 1, 2000, Resolution 184 which enlarged the LBD to provide a catalytic force in the area with the express objectives of stimulating community morale and facilitating "spin-off" investments in new construction and rehabilitation.

Boundaries [see map]

The entire Locust Business District area extends generally from Delmar and 18th street on the southwest corner, moving south on 18th Street to Market Street, turning west on Market Street to the western edge of 21st Street, heading south to the northern property line behind the Area Rescue Consortium of Hospitals and UPS to the eastern edge of Jefferson where it heads north along Jefferson, then northeast along the southern property line of Grainger's property and the east property line of Harry's to Market Street, then west on Market Street to the eastern line of 23rd Street, north on 23rd Street to Olive Blvd., then west along Olive Blvd. to Compton, turning north on Compton to the alley north of Washington, heading east along the alley to Leffingwell and north along Leffingwell to Delmar, then east along Delmar to the point of beginning of Delmar and 18th street.

With the exception of certain major institutional and public uses, the area is currently characterized by small family owned businesses and new companies seeking creative uses of older buildings.

Moving Forward

Since its incorporation, the Locust Business District has made a concerted effort to stabilize the area and to attract new investment within its boundaries. However, the physical condition, size, and prior use of the buildings vary greatly, and these existing conditions have complicated the redevelopment process to some extent. For instance, retrofitting modern office uses within buildings with turn of the century column spacing can require additional costs associated with that effort. Therefore, this premium expense becomes a development proforma as well as a timing issue that can impede business's decisions to locate within a redevelopment area. In spite of these existing conditions, there has been a substantial amount of investment over the years.

This area has the potential of being revitalized as a viable commercial and institutional core for the City of St. Louis. Major businesses located within the LBD include: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri, AG Edwards, AT&T, SJI and St. Louis University's Amelia Earhardt School. Additionally, smaller, exciting business entities such as The Charles Motor Company, St. Louis Brewery and Tap Room, Panama Red's, Mulligan Printing and Signcrafters all contribute to the character and stability of the District.

As well, the LBD is enhanced by strong neighbors like Union Station, St. Louis University, Grand Center, Harris-Stowe State College, UPS, Sigma Chemical and the Martin Luther King Business Park that act as anchors for the Locust Business District. The Locust Business District constituents and Board have a deep respect for investment and ongoing corporate citizenship in this area.