While an aldermanic board bill to allocate $110 million of the $230 million in Rams settlement funds was introduced but didn’t pass today inside City Hall, more than 150 people rallied on the steps outside. The demonstrators-mostly members of Action St. Louis gathered to demand more money from the settlement be directed toward tornado recovery which caused more than $1.6 billion in damages to city wards.
On Thursday, St. Louis officials publicly proposed a board bill that would allocate millions in Rams settlement fund. Mayor Cara Spencer, Board of Aldermen President Megan Green and heads of various city agencies and organizations outlined the proposal Thursday.
“Decades of systematic, systemic disinvestment and the need for long-term recovery following the May 16 tornado have left north St. Louis requiring major resources for critical home repair, housing production and the capitalization of community-driven neighborhood plans,” Spencer said during the press conference.
Both Spencer and Green said that they believe the bill has broad support among board members with Spencer saying some projects could start soon if the bill is passed.
The bill which was introduced by Aldermen President Megan Green to the board today, separates the money into three pockets, including:
- $110 million to north St. Louis, which includes $70 million for home repair and housing preservation, $31 million toward the North St. Louis Neighborhood Plan Implementation fund, $5 million for rental and deposit assistance, nonprofit case management and support following the May 16 tornado. Also, $4 million to manage the tornado recovery effort and ensure fiscal compliance.
- $55 million for downtown revitalization efforts, including $15 million for economic development along the riverfront. Another $15 million would go toward additional downtown infrastructure, $7.5 million for retail and restaurant incentives and $2.5 million for a public-private partnership fund to attract large-scale events.
- $65 million toward infrastructure and neighborhood improvements throughout the city. Projects include $30 million for improving the city’s water infrastructure and $30 million for public infrastructure, including street paving, sidewalk repairs, tree removals and the renovation of recreational facilities. It also includes $5 million dedicated to vacancy and blight reduction across the city.
Some Action members believe the allocation for North City tornado recovery should be increased from the proposed $110 million to at least $150 million.
Friday’s public demonstration is part of Action’s “People’s Plan,” an agenda specifically designed to “build power, redistribute resources” and scrutinize “different systems” in the city that are in “desperate need of repair and re-creation.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.