Near Northside Choice Neighborhood
A neighborhood transformation plan
As a part of the Choice Neighborhoods (CNI) process, Urban Strategies hired UDA to lead a community process to re-envision Preservation Square in Near North Side St. Louis. Formerly known as O'Fallon Place, it was designed and built next to Priutt-Igoe in the 1970s as the vacant towers were being demolished. Social exclusion and disinvestment in the neighborhood led to disconnected streets and poor perceptions of safety. UDA worked with residents, affordable housing developers, and other communities such as Carr and Columbus Square, to reach a shared vision that includes renovated and new housing, community parks, and walkable streets. The vision is currently being implemented through the $29.5M grant awarded by HUD in 2016.