Mayor Jones, GSL Inc. scold BOA

While Mayor Tishaura Jones hopes “cooler heads” at the Board of Aldermen will soon lead to passage of Rams Settlement legislation, she and Greater St. Louis Inc., are steamed that two critical bills were passed to BOA’s informal calendar, which ended all debate.

“After almost a year and a half of public input and months of debate and compromise among city leaders, the public, and other stakeholders, it’s clear that there are a number of projects and programs this money could have supported that would result directly in notable quality-of-life improvements for everyone in St. Louis,” Jones said in a release.

“When cooler heads prevail, my hope is that the Board of Aldermen will bring a bill to my desk that directs these historic funds to benefit all of St. Louis in ways that our residents can see and feel.”

In December 2024, Jones, President of the Board of Aldermen Megan Green, and Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier introduced the Transform STL Act.

It divided the Rams Settlement Funds into categories including infrastructure, development and families and children.

Infrastructure ($100 million) – Citywide Water Infrastructure Fund – $40 million; Citywide Mobility Infrastructure Fund – $60 million

Development ($100 million) -Citywide Housing Fund – $70 million; Citywide Neighborhood Development Fund – $30 million

People ($77.2 million) – Citywide Workforce Fund – $20 million.

There will also be a new endowment fund containing two accounts, held and invested by the city Treasurer’s Office.

Account 1: Affordable Child Care – $37.2 million; Account 2: Affordable Postsecondary Opportunities – $20 million

On January 23, 2025, Jones, Sonnier, Alderwoman Pamela Boyd, and Greater St. Louis Inc., announced an agreement for the investment of funds from the Rams settlement. The TRANSFORM ACT compromise combined components of Board Bill 153, sponsored by Sonnier, and Board Bill 131, sponsored by Boyd – which was favored by GSL Inc.

Green shut down debate during last Friday’s BOA meeting, and on Tuesday the bill was delayed indefinitely.

“St. Louis has pressing needs that require bold action and major investment. [Tuesday’s] lack of action by the Board of Aldermen means those urgent needs continue to go unmet,” Dustin Allison, GSL Inc. interim CEO said.

 “Waiting doesn’t get St. Louis growing again, and we continue our call for the city to use Rams settlement funds to address depopulation in North St. Louis and revitalizing Downtown so that the city can expand its population and grow its tax base.”

The Rams Settlement money remains in an investment account, which according to the mayor’s office, increased the amount $26,101,958 over roughly 24 months. Jones added that it was “initial inclination” to keep the bulk of the settlement money in interest bearing accounts “due to the uncertainty of federal elections and how the economy would react.”

“I was proud of the compromise legislation that was reached with Alderwomen Boyd and Sonnier, and I’m grateful to the members of my staff who helped broker that compromise,” said Jones.

“In the coming weeks, my office will provide guidance on the impact of the new presidential administration and the effects that Project 2025 will have on our community and our budget. “

GSL’s Allison said, “We will continue our work to get St. Louis growing again and bring investment to disinvested neighborhoods and Downtown when the next session of the BOA begins.”