Discover how the Brickline will reshape our city, fostering connections, sustainability, and a brighter future for urban living.
The Brickline Greenway
In the heart of St. Louis, a visionary project is unfolding, poised to transform the landscape of the city and the connections among its central neighborhoods. Great Rivers Greenway, St. Louis' public trail agency, is leading the $245 million Brickline Greenway Project, a groundbreaking initiative backed by a unified front of public and private partners, poised to reshape urban mobility, sustainability, and community cohesion throughout the region by 2030. This ambitious endeavor comprises over 10 miles of greenway, stitches 14 neighborhoods together, and stands as a testament to the collective power of public-private partnerships to create a more vibrant and connected St. Louis.
The Brickline will span over 10 miles, encompassing a cross-section of the city, connecting from east to west (Arch Grounds to Forest Park) and north to south (Fairground Park to Tower Grove Park). The plan is to offer a multi-modal corridor that provides pedestrians and cyclists with a safe, accessible route to work, school, and recreational destinations, while reducing the reliance on automobiles. The ultimate goal is to transform St. Louis into a more walkable and bikeable city. Though significant press has been awarded to Great Rivers Greenway for the planning and design of the Brickline, many are underplaying five big ways this project will change St. Louis.
Shown Below: A map of the future Brickline Greenway routes in dark green. (Courtesy of Great Rivers Greenway). Other greenway connections include the 20th Street Mobility Connector and the Tower Grove Connector.
"De-Island-ing" the Central Corridor
The Brickline Greenway is not only about connecting neighborhoods but also effectively "de-islanding" much of central St. Louis. By establishing a central pathway that threads through the heart of the city, this greenway fills a significant void that had long been missing in the urban fabric. St. Louis has lacked a distinctive "main street" that offers commercial density intermixed with essential services and residential density. With the Brickline, residents and visitors now have a vital thoroughfare that links major institutions, landmarks, and neighborhoods such as Saint Louis University, Washington University's Medical Campus, the City Foundry Public Market, Downtown St. Louis, Midtown, the Central West End, Barnes Hospital, and more. This central greenway not only promotes walkability and accessibility but also weaves the city's rich tapestry together, making St. Louis a more cohesive and well-connected urban landscape.
The development of the greenway will create job opportunities and attract new businesses to the region, resulting in increased investments. With better connectivity, residents are encouraged to explore and support local businesses, invigorating neighborhood commercial districts and reinforcing St. Louis's reputation as a hub for culture and entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the increased accessibility brought by the Brickline can have a positive impact on property values in adjacent neighborhoods, benefiting homeowners and furthering economic development.
This economic stimulus has been the case with urban greenway projects across the United States, including Atlanta's Beltline, Indianapolis Cultural Trail, and New York's Highline Network.
Mobility Overhaul
Partnering infrastructure projects are set to complement the greenway's goals, which include enhancing the overall mobility experience. Major arterial road diets, revisions, and beautification initiatives are being undertaken to create a more efficient and visually pleasing urban landscape. Some of the notable projects in the works include making Midtown's Forest Park Parkway and Grand Boulevard an at-grade intersection and reconfiguring spaghetti loop interstate interchanges to free up developable land. The Missouri Department of Transportation released three infrastructure alternatives for that area which can be viewed here.
Tying into the Brickline, the City of St. Louis has embarked on two major infrastructure projects in response to investments from the St. Louis City Soccer Club and the National Geospatial Agency. Dubbed "Project Connect," this includes a redesign of North Jefferson Avenue: upgraded signal timing at intersections, ADA crosswalks, street resurfacing, traffic calming, and corridor beautification. In addition, the 20th Street Mobility Connector will focus on connecting Northside residents to Downtown St. Louis.
Other connections include introducing a road diet on Market Street, redesigning North Grand Boulevard for increased functionality, and repurposing an old train trestle that flows into the City Foundry Public Market. These initiatives will contribute to a safer, more pedestrian-friendly, and interconnected urban environment that seamlessly complements the Brickline Greenway's mission.
Shown Below: A rendering of the Brickline running up North Grand Boulevard. (Courtesy of Great Rivers Greenway).
Shown Below: An early rendering of the Mixed-Use City Foundry Development. The elevated Brickline Greenway is shown connecting a network of commercial spaces together.
Addressing Racial Inequities
The Brickline Greenway Project is not only about physical connectivity but also a critical initiative addressing the deep-seated racial inequities within St. Louis. An excellent illustration of this commitment by Great Rivers Greenway can be found in one of the initial segments along Market Street, where a powerful project, Pillars of the Valley, was completed by artist Damon Davis in remembrance of the once-thriving black neighborhood, Mill Creek Valley. Razed during the urban renewal era of the 1960s, this community's history remains an integral part of St. Louis's past. Much of the once-vibrant neighborhood that used to connect Downtown and Midtown has been absorbed into what now feels like an awkward urban void featuring strip malls, open space, and gated asphalt parking lots. By commemorating the legacy of Mill Creek Valley and acknowledging the historical racial disparities that played a role in its demolition, the Brickline Greenway is seeking to rectify past injustices. Through this recognition, the greenway project becomes a symbol of healing and unity, working to transform St. Louis into a city where equity and inclusivity are at the forefront of its revitalization efforts.
Shown Below: The recently complete, St. Louis City SC Soccer Stadium, and the Brickline Greenway paralleling Market Street. "Pillars of the Valley" is shown at the bottom left.
Funding Through Collaboration
What makes the Brickline Greenway Project even more remarkable is its financing model, which is a collaboration between public and private partners within the St. Louis region. The public sector plays a crucial role in ensuring the project's accessibility and long-term sustainability, while private investments will drive economic growth and innovation in the area. This unique partnership demonstrates the potential of a shared vision and financial resources to create lasting change, benefiting the city as a whole. The soccer stadium serves as a public -private partnership role model for upcoming Brickline segments.
Industrial Era Healing
At the heart of the Great Rivers Greenway's mission is the goal of connecting St. Louisans to their city's natural treasures through greenways and trails. Parks, recreational areas, and community gardens along the greenway will offer residents and visitors opportunities for relaxation, exercise, and cultural activities. These green spaces will significantly enhance the quality of life in the region while promoting sustainability and offering a respite from the urban environment.
The Brickline's commitment to ecological sustainability, incorporating features like rain gardens, native plantings, and stormwater management systems, will enhance the environment, beautify the area, improve water quality, and reduce the risk of flooding, making St. Louis's central neighborhoods not only more connected but also greener and more resilient. Furthermore, this initiative relieves the city of the burdens associated with the maintenance of extensive vehicular road space, providing a more cost-effective and efficient means of transportation that aligns with the city's sustainability goals.
Conclusion
The Brickline Greenway, along with other transformative developments in Central St. Louis, plays a pivotal role in healing the wounds of St. Louis' industrial past. Recent projects such as the City Foundry Public Market, the Washington Avenue mixed-use corridor, neighborhood rehabilitations, and much more showcase a city in the midst of a remarkable transformation. These initiatives symbolize a break from city policy that had clung to its industrial roots for too long. The Brickline Greenway, in particular, is at the forefront of a movement that heralds a St. Louis keen on shaping its future. It stands as a testament to the city's resolve in redefining its identity and declaring, "This is who we want to be moving forward." By repurposing the remnants of its industrial heritage into vibrant urban spaces, St. Louis is writing a new chapter that balances its rich history with a future driven by innovation, sustainability, and a commitment to community well-being.
The next segment of the Brickline Greenway, running from the MLS Soccer Stadium to Compton Avenue through Market Street, will begin construction in 2024. Learn more about the Brickline here.
Comments