Community Partnerships
Neighbors in Need Special Mission Offering
Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion in the United States.
The Neighbors in Need offering supports ministries of justice and compassion, with one-third of the offering given to the Council for American Indian Ministries and the remaining two-thirds supporting UCC justice ministries.
In 2025 the Neighbors in Need Offering supported 26 grant recipients across the UCC who were engaged in projects of direct service and advocacy.
While many of our churches collect the offering on part of World Communion Sunday, contributions to this ministry can be collected throughout the calendar year. Thank you for your support and generosity!
Questions? Contact UCC.
Rachel McDonald
Generosity Officer, Our Church’s Wider Mission and Special Mission Offerings
216-736-2182
September 08, 2025
Brought to you by the Neighborhood Planning Division of the City of St. Louis Planning & Urban Design Agency, this monthly update shares progress on neighborhood plans, highlights local partnerships, and offers ways for you to get involved in shaping your community.
Neighborhood Planning Newsletter
Neighborhood planning is in full swing across St. Louis, and together we’re making great strides. From creative pop-up demonstrations in Plan Area 1, to draft plan work in Plan Area 2, to fun community events in Plan Area 3—residents and partners are bringing big ideas to life. At the same time, we’re kicking off recruitment for Neighborhood Planning Committees in Plan Areas 4-6, creating even more opportunities for neighbors to shape the future of their communities.
This month’s updates are all about progress, participation, and possibilities—and we’re excited for what’s ahead!
Get Involved: Plan Areas 4–6
Get Involved: Plan Areas 4–6
We’re looking for residents and community members to serve on Neighborhood Planning Committees (NPCs) for Plan Areas 4–6. NPC members play a key role in guiding the planning process and making sure community voices are front and center.
Have questions about the application? We’ve got you covered! Join one of our upcoming info sessions:
- Tues, Sept 23 | 6–7 PM – Virtual Office Hours
- Mon, Sept 29 | 12–1 PM – Virtual Office Hours
- Tues, Sept 30 | 4–6 PM – Virtual Office Hours
City of St. Louis
Plan Area 4
College Hill, Fairground Neighborhood, O'Fallon, Penrose, Hamilton Heights, Wells-Goodfellow, and Kingsway West
Consultant Team: MKSK, Development Strategies, RISE, Added Dimensions
Plan Area 5
Academy/Sherman Park, Fountain Park, Lewis Place
Consultant Team: Houseal Lavigne, HR&A, Kimley-Horn, All Together, 4theVille
Plan Area 6
Mark Twain Industrial I-70
Consultant Team: Interface Studios, Ninigrett Partners, Public Design Bureau, Lochmueller Group, Menke Consulting
Get Involved: Plan Areas 4–6
Get Involved: Plan Areas 4–6
Plan Area I
The Ville, Greater Ville, and Kingsway East
Plan Area 1 brought community vision to life with pop-up demonstrations—temporary activations that highlighted ways to beautify public spaces, improve safety, and spark joy. You may still spot the Bulldog paw prints outside Sumner High School! Next steps: findings from this meeting will be incorporated into the draft final plan.
Consultant Team: The Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Blackrock Consulting, WSP, CodaMetrics, and Development Strategies
Plan Area II
Mark Twain, Walnut Park East, and Walnut Park West
The consultant team is hard at work drafting the final neighborhood plan, pulling together input and ideas shared by residents to shape a vision for the area. To stay up to date about where Plan Area II is in the process visit the webpage.
Consultant Team: PGAV, Metropolitan Strategies & Solutions, and Crawford Murphy Tilly
Plan Area III
Baden and North Pointe
From Dickman Park to Vivian Astra, neighbors gathered for fun activation events filled with community, creativity, and conversation—showing what’s possible when we bring people and spaces together.
Visit Plan Area III website for upcoming events and definitely check out their most recent NEWSLETTER.
Consultant Team: Interboro Partners, Key Strategic Group, and Code Studio
Project Connect
St. Louis Place, Old North St. Louis, JeffVanderLou, Carr Square, Columbus Square, and Hyde Park
The draft plan has been completed and is now in the review phase, marking another step toward adoption. A community open house will be scheduled as the next opportunity for residents to review and provide input on the Draft Final Neighborhood Plan. Further details on how to participate and attend the Public Open House will be available on the
Project Connect website.
Consultant Team: Interboro Partners, Key Strategic Group, and Code Studio
Get Involved: Plan Areas 4–6
Neighborhood & Community Partners Spotlight
Residents, business owners, and community members impacted by the May 16th tornado are invited to apply for the Resident and Community Advisory Committee for Tornado Recovery. This group will advise Mayor Spencer and the City’s Recovery Office on recovery priorities and vision.
The committee will meet two to three times this year and four times next year, with occasional follow-up work in between. Applications close September 10, 2025 at 5 p.m., and selections will ensure broad representation of impacted neighborhoods and experiences. Access the APPLICATION on the city’s website.
While the Recovery Committee will focus on tornado recovery, it will work in close alignment with the PlanSTL Neighborhood Planning Committees (NPCs), which meet monthly with PDA staff and consultants to guide long-term planning. Together, both committees will ensure resident voices shape immediate recovery and St. Louis’s future.
Community Development Administration
The City’s Community Development Administration (CDA) has launched the 2026 CDBG Non-Housing Funding Cycle, supporting neighborhood priorities like economic development and public facilities. The Request for Proposals are due by September 5, 2025 at 4pm. Visit CDA's website for training materials and resources during the application period: stlouis-mo.gov/CDA/cdbg/2026.cfm
Tornado Recovery Support Ongoing
CDA continues tornado recovery efforts in partnership with community organizations. If your organization can help with space, supplies, or staff, contact Kevin Ellison at 314-657-3830 or EllisonK@stlouis-mo.gov.
Recovery resources: stlouis-mo.gov/tornado
Northside Resilience Fund: $3,000 Emergency Grants Available
The Northside Resilience Fund is offering $3,000 in direct cash assistance to residents living north of Delmar Blvd whose homes received a red sticker from the City after the May 16 tornado.
To qualify, you must:
- Have lived in one of the eligible neighborhoods at the time of the storm (e.g., The Ville, Kingsway East, College Hill — full list online), and
- Have received a red sticker from the City's Building Division indicating severe structural damage.
Renters and homeowners are eligible. One application per household.
You'll need a photo ID and recent proof of residency (utility bill, paystub, or benefit letter from April–June).
Apply online through Submittable and receive confirmation when your application is complete [Apply Here]
Questions? Call (314) 384-1145.
City of St. Louis Zoning UPgrade (ZOUP) - A Modern Code to Meet the Moment
St. Louis Planning and Urban Design Agency and the Building Division’s Zoning Section have officially launched the ZOUP—the first major rewrite of the City’s zoning code since the mid-20th century. This effort builds on the recently adopted Strategic Land Use Plan and will modernize how land use is regulated, making the code clearer, more consistent, and responsive to community priorities. The process is being led by Code Studio, a nationally recognized planning firm, with input from residents every step of the way. Apply to serve on the Zoning Upgrade Advisory Committee at zoup-stl.com.
Get Involved: Plan Areas 4–6
A Little PlanSTL History...
The passage of the Economic Development Sales Tax gave the City’s Planning & Urban Design Agency a unique opportunity to develop a neighborhood planning strategy that would move St. Louis forward in a positive way. To begin this effort, we examined St. Louis’ planning history, identified best practices from across the country and the world, and considered how these lessons could be adapted to meet our city’s needs.
In 2021, we released a three-part strategy report that synthesized research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. This report became the foundation of PlanSTL and provided the first opportunity for residents to help shape the citywide neighborhood planning strategy.
- Part One offered a look back at planning in St. Louis alongside innovative planning approaches nationwide and globally.
- Part Two summarized discussions with community stakeholders, ensuring that local voices and St. Louis’ unique context were central to the strategy.
- Part Three outlined the proposed neighborhood planning strategy, including guiding principles, public engagement, planning topics, and a map of neighborhood clusters that would undergo the process together.
This work laid the groundwork for the PlanSTL effort we are now carrying forward with neighborhoods across the city.
Get Involved: Plan Areas 4–6
Plan STL's mission is to create safer, healthier, and happier communities by guiding and directing neighborhood planning efforts that enhance quality of life and services for all.
Get involved and help shape the future of your neighborhood! Whether you want to share your feedback, stay updated on planning efforts, or learn how to make a difference, we want to hear from you.
Visit planstl.com to learn more, or reach out to us anytime at pda_planning@stlouis-mo.gov.
Planning & Urban Design Agency - Neighborhood Planning Division
1520 Market Street, Suite 2000
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