Many St. Louisans lament the fact that residents of underserved neighborhoods often must travel miles to find services, stores and dining opportunities.
Among them is Michael P. McMillan, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis president and CEO.
“Why do people have to shop all over the region for things we should be able to buy right here?” McMillan asked during a May 31, 2024, press conference with Congresswoman Cori Bush.
“If we do more of that, we can also create more Black-owned businesses.”
Bush announced a $750,000 federal outlay for the renovations of capital improvements of the Urban League Plaza, just east of the Urban League headquarters at 1408 N. Kingshighway and saluted the work of the organization.
“The Urban League has been a pillar of strength and support for the St. Louis community,” she said.
“I am grateful to the entire Urban League family. They are out knocking on doors, out in the streets sweating [and] paving the way for brighter futures.’
The grant is part of the $18.4 million in FY 2023 Community Project Funding (CPF) that Bush secured in 2022. It is part of over $41 million in CPF resources secured for the 1st Congressional District since Bush was elected.
The Plaza is located at Aubert Avenue and Page Boulevard and within the Urban League headquarters footprint, across an avenue named for McMillan.
The non-profit purchased the site from The Roberts Companies in 2020, and immediately began improvements. Several empty storefronts were soon filled with tenants, and the plaza now includes Guys With The Fries and other restaurants, a dollar store a banquet hall and beauty shops.
“I never thought I would own a business, I come from a world that is totally different,” said Akia kemp, a Guys With The Fries co-owner.
“The Urban League [is here] to help people like me.”
Kemp, who said the restaurant was an inaugural tenant, said “I was excited when [the Urban League] came.’
“I look forward to what happens next,” he said.
The restaurant holds staff meetings in the Urban League’s computer facility and has partnered with the Urban League program Save our Sons to provide employment opportunities.
Over the four years of Urban League ownership, McMillan said the plaza has become better lighted, HVAC improvements have been completed and its large parking lot resurfaced.
He said the Urban League could add 12 new tenants following renovation, which will begin this summer. It is also working to establish a fitness center and community gymnasium.
“We want this to be a crown jewel of all north St. Louis,” McMillan said.
McMillan said Bush offered to assist the Urban League Plaza renovation “when she saw it, before was talk of any revitalization.”
“She said, ‘I want to be here for you,’” said McMillan.
In her remarks, Bush said Power4STL, A Red Circle, the St. Louis Housing Authority, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital and SEED St. Louis have also received funding.
“The Urban League is an inspiration. This is a clear demonstration of what we can do when we work together,” said Bush, who is being challenged by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell for the Democratic nomination for Congress.
“As you continue to grow, we will continue to find money.”
Following the press event, McMillan told St. Louis Public Radio organizations like his are key to investment on the city’s northside.
“It takes an organization like the Urban League, that is not for profit [to] say, ‘we’ll spend the funds, we will get the grants and we will try to raise the money in order to bring back the community,” McMillan said.
“It just takes an infusion sometimes of things like this congressional earmark from the congresswoman, or tax abatement, tax incentives for other private developers, and then grants from city, state, county and federal governments in order to try to make up the difference.”
