Regional public agency’s Board of Directors to launch national search for replacement

After a significant career in public service and a tenacious 15-years at the helm of Great Rivers Greenway, Susan Trautman will serve as CEO for nine more months until May 2025. The transition will happen during the 25^th anniversary of the vote of the people that created the agency, which has since built (with partners and communities) 135 miles of paved, accessible greenway trails with hundreds of destinations, amenities, new special places and conservation projects along the way.

“Susan’s unwavering commitment to regionalism and delivering high-quality and meaningful projects to our community members is a point of pride for our whole region,” said Monica Huddleston, current Board President. “Her leadership changed the game; she elevated the organization year after year, building a team of highly professional staff, efficient systems and a culture of innovation to push for the highest possible impact for the people we serve.”

Trautman joined the organization as its second leader in 2010 and oversaw transformational growth of the depth and breadth of the agency. During her tenure, Great Rivers Greenway doubled their number of miles of greenway trail (from 68 to 135) as well as added several destination park projects. Trautman was a key champion in the 6-agency public-private partnership to plan and implement the CityArchRiver project, reimagining of the Gateway Arch National Park and surrounding areas. Through that project, she navigated the agency and project through a second tax levy, Proposition P, in 2013, which contributed funds to the CityArchRiver project as well as additional greenway and park projects in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. She led the organization through the addition of new departments to promote and sustain the greenways, while developing a 501(c)3 nonprofit Foundation to solicit and steward private donations to the same cause, collecting more than $50 million to date. Trautman successfully leveraged approximately $110 million to date of outside funding sources from federal or state grants, ensuring that residents’ tax contributions are used to their maximum potential. Project highlights include public-private partnerships Trojan Park and Chain of Rocks Park, along the St. Vincent and Mississippi Greenways, respectively. The agency’s latest ambitious project is Brickline Greenway, a bold vision to connect 14 city neighborhoods and four anchor parks with 10 miles of greenway, infused with public art, trees and plants, and inclusive economic development.

“The people’s vision for a vibrant region connected with greenways has never been stronger; this is an opportunity for a new leader to bring energy and insight to the strength and momentum we have in our 25^th year,” said Trautman. “It has been a true honor to deliver on a mission this powerful and dynamic. I am incredibly grateful to our remarkable Board of Directors, who are consistently thoughtful, strategic, and regional in their approach, to our passionate and competent staff who do what’s right, to our dedicated and collaborative partners who make this possible, and to our amazing community members, who guide our efforts, hold us accountable and for whom we do this work. I am especially excited for the visionary leaders involved in the Brickline Greenway to bring that project fully to life in 2030.”

“Bringing the St. Louis region together to advance a big, ambitious idea like the Brickline Greenway takes a unique talent, and Susan Trautman has led this work in the spirit of collaboration and with vision, tireless commitment, and grace. I’ve seen this first-hand working with Susan for nearly a decade now. Susan’s stewardship of GRG more broadly has also been transformational, and she has left an enduring legacy that will serve as the strong foundation her successor can build upon,” said Greater St. Louis, Inc. CEO Jason Hall. “Susan is also a friend, and I’m excited for her to enjoy the next chapter after her distinguished career of service to St. Louis.”

“Susan’s incredible dedication and civic leadership has been truly instrumental in growing the impact of Great Rivers Greenway and strengthening our region the past 15 years,” said Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones. “Her impact and commitment will continue to advance transformative projects like the Brickline Greenway, connecting the people and visitors of St. Louis to outdoor spaces and spurring tremendous economic growth.”

The search for Trautman’s replacement will begin in the next month. The Great Rivers Greenway Board of Directors is working with consultants to support the search for candidates who have executive leadership experience with managing private and public funding streams, building relationships with elected leaders and donors, board management, operations and talent oversight, and strategic problem-solving. Like all roles, the position will be posted online. Anyone can subscribe for email alerts when jobs are posted.

“Given Susan’s generous timeline, we look forward to a robust search finding the right candidate to continue the level of excellence she has established for her role, the staff, and the overall operations throughout the 3-county, 120-town region we’re connecting together,” said Dr. Bernard DuBray, Board Vice President and head of the search committee. “We thank her for her commendable work and wish her all the best in her retirement – she’ll surely be riding her bike on the greenways even more now!”

Trautman’s career highlights include serving as Director of Parks and Recreation at both Des Peres and Clayton, as Planner/Principal at SWT Design, and championing capital projects like the Lodge at Des Peres or Center of Clayton before embarking on her journey at Great Rivers Greenway. Key accomplishments include 2011 St. Louis Business “Top 25 Influential Business Women”, the 2012 “Missourian Award” for her long time efforts in improving the quality of life in Missouri through parks and recreation services, NAACP 2018 Ina Boon Social Justice award for work related to minority inclusion in the CityArchRiver project and numerous accolades for Great Rivers Greenway under her leadership. Her board service includes St. Louis Regional Health Commission, Beyond Housing, Urban Land Institute, American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association (2015-16 Chair).

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ABOUT: Great Rivers Greenway is a public agency, created by a vote of the people in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County in the year 2000 to make the St. Louis region a more vibrant place to live, work and play by developing a network of greenways with partners and communities, enhancing healthy habitats and watersheds along the way. Whether you walk, run, ride a bike, roll a wheelchair or push a stroller, there are 135 miles of greenways and counting for you to explore and enjoy! www.GreatRiversGreenway.org

New Collaborative Community Development Corporation Forms to Support Areas Along Northern Part of Brickline Greenway

Posted on Tuesday August 13, 2024

Brickline North CDC will serve Covenant Blu-Grand Center, Jeff-Vander-Lou and St. Louis Place neighborhoods

A new organization was incorporated this month – the Brickline North Community Development Corporation (BNCDC) was signed into existence by representatives from each of the three neighborhoods it will serve, alongside T. Christopher Peoples, Director of Equity + Economic Impact for Great Rivers Greenway.

BNCDC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to empower individuals and neighborhoods served by the Brickline Greenway’s North Connector, namely Covenant Blu-Grand Center, Jeff-Vander-Lou (JVL), and St. Louis Place, by fostering inclusive and sustainable neighborhoods through collaborative initiatives and partnerships. The economic development programming will provide comprehensive community development services including neighborhood capacity building, neighborhood revitalization, public safety Initiatives, nonprofit and small business support and community engagement and advocacy.

This is the direct result of the past six years of civic engagement around this topic with neighbors, businesses and community leaders. Peoples was hired into this privately-funded role in August 2022, working collaboratively with St. Louis Development Corporation to implement equitable economic development strategies in the Brickline Greenway project area.

“My role exists to ensure that the Brickline Greenway is an asset that creates a ripple effect of thoughtful, sustainable support for this community, such as repopulation and opportunities for shared prosperity,” said Peoples. “I’ve spent the last two years listening and collaborating, and now we’ve come together to create this CDC as a vehicle to both implement and amplify efforts happening in these three neighborhoods, particularly when no other tool is available.”

The Board of Directors that will govern the organization has specific criteria, set out in the bylaws, to ensure representation from the areas they serve. The founding steering committee members that help establish the governance and programming are as follows:

Gwen Chambers, St. Louis Place resident
Lois Conley, Griot Museum of Black History
Audrey Ellermann, Covenant-Blu Grand Center resident & neighborhood assoc. president
Russell Houston, St. Louis Place resident
Darby Latham, St. Louis Place resident (Vector Communications)
Jeremy Main, Jeff-Vander-Lou resident (Mission: St. Louis)
Matt Oldani, Deaconess Foundation
Tom Pickel, retired CDC director
Tim Tucker, Real Estate and Community Development Consultant
Daphne Redding, St. Louis Place resident
Constance Siu, North Newstead Association

“The formation of the new CDC has not only been a wonderful experience; it is a dream come true,” said Ellermann. “This will assure the community that the North Central plan will be implemented and will complement the efforts of the Brickline Greenway, assuring a better future for the neighborhoods. It gives the residents a voice – ‘Nothing about us without us’ – an extraordinary change is about to happen, the first of its kind in St. Louis.”

“The Brickline Greenway can and should result in additional investment throughout the North Grand Corridor community – how that future investment happens, who that investment benefits, and what the impact of that investment will be on the broader neighborhood are of deep concern to current residents, businesses, and other organizations,” said Main. “This CDC will be an important piece of infrastructure for helping shape future investments, both by supporting existing efforts and catalyzing new efforts that will contribute to an ever-more-flourishing North Grand Corridor community.”

“The formation of this CDC has given our communities the ambition to advance and transform our living spaces,” said Redding.

BNCDC will operate in conjunction with the many neighborhood organizations, neighboring CDCs, St. Louis Development Corporation, and individual stakeholders and neighbors alike to determine when the entity is the right fit for any given task, supporting the collective vision for the area. Stay informed on the project and process by subscribing for updates at www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/subscribe.

Brickline Greenway/Great Rivers Greenway

Brickline Greenway is a bold vision to connect people and our city’s most treasured places, creating inspiring experiences and equitable opportunities for growth. This will be a network of 10 miles of greenways, linking up to 14 neighborhoods in the City of St. Louis, connecting Forest Park to the Gateway Arch National Park, Fairground Park to Tower Grove Park and hundreds of destinations in between. Progress includes two segments built, four more in design and is now 44% funded through local tax dollars, State of Missouri funds, several federal grants and private philanthropy. www.BricklineGreenway.org

Great Rivers Greenway is a public agency, created by a vote of the people in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County in the year 2000 to create a sales tax dedicated to connecting the region with greenways. The mission is to make the St. Louis region a more vibrant place to live, work and play by developing a network of greenways with partners and communities, enhancing healthy habitats and watersheds along the way. Whether you walk, run, ride a bike, roll a wheelchair or push a stroller, there are 135 miles of greenways and counting for you to explore and enjoy! www.GreatRiversGreenway.org

Meet Mona

Posted on Thursday July 25, 2024

Mona Vespa is the President of GO! St. Louis. GO! is a local non-profit organization that encourages individuals and families in the #STL region to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle year round. They accomplish this through community collaborations, school-based programming and the creation of new and fun fitness events:

“Running is my sport, my hobby and my profession! Personally, I can’t imagine a better way to explore your own city than on foot, and the greenways are the perfect way to do that! Every time I run a greenway, I am reminded that our city is incredibly diverse in landscape and character, but is also comprised of neighborhoods and communities who are all working towards a similar goal: to make their part of our city a vibrant and welcoming home. And as a part of my job, what a joy it is to share that with the runners and walkers of our area. I’ve used greenways for several GO! St. Louis race routes, and our Summer Passport program’s entire focus is to introduce more runners to the incredible gem of these paths throughout our city. GO! St. Louis is thankful for GRG’s work and dedication to outdoor recreation in our region!”

Home Greenway: All of them!

Brickline Greenway Awarded $9.9 Million in Construction Funds from U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program

Posted on Wednesday July 17, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Emma Klues, VP of Communications & Outreach
Great Rivers Greenway | 217-649-4695 | eklues@grgstl.org

Brickline Greenway Awarded $9.9 Million in Construction Funds from U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg’s office will match local funds to build a greenway bridge between I-64/40 decks at Spring Street

St. Louis, Missouri – The Brickline Greenway just took an important step forward. With support from Congresswoman Cori Bush, the United States Department of Transportation awarded Great Rivers Greenway $9,925,000 in construction funding as part of its Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program. This is half of the total projected construction cost for this new greenway bridge for people walking, running, using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or riding a bicycle. Great Rivers Greenway will fund the balance with local tax dollars and private gifts from donors such as the Berges Family Foundation.

“This greenway bridge will be the hub where the north, south, east and west Brickline Greenway routes come together,” said Susan Trautman, Chief Executive Officer for Great Rivers Greenway. “Creating access for everyone and leveraging local tax dollars, private philanthropy with federal dollars is a win for all.”

The project area is in the Midtown area of St. Louis City, spanning from Laclede Avenue south on Spring Street and across Forest Park Avenue past the City Foundry. A new greenway bridge will go above the east-bound lanes and below the west-bound lanes of I-64/40, bridging through the current barrier created by the interstate to the Grand MetroLink Station and Armory District on the other side, offering easier access for nearby destinations along the way. This portion of the greenway will link into a separate Brickline Greenway project connecting the Grand MetroLink Station to the Cortex MetroLink Station, creating more access and options for residents and visitors alike.

“Every person and community deserves healthy and safe transit options,” said Congresswoman Bush. “This greenway bridge will improve connectivity between our neighborhoods and help create a more pedestrian, mass transit, and bike friendly St. Louis for everyone. I am so happy to have supported this project and that our office could help make this funding possible.”

Partners include the City of St. Louis, private developments, and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The two public agencies are aligning schedules with the reconstruction of the eastbound I-64 bridge over Vandeventer Avenue in 2027-2028 to minimize disruption for community members.

“This is a unique opportunity to create more transportation options for everyone. As MoDOT moves forward with potential improvements on I-64 in this area, we will continue to work with our partners on the Brickline Greenway,” said Tom Blair, MoDOT St. Louis district engineer.

“The many partners alongside Great Rivers Greenway are helping to make the City of St. Louis a vibrant community with green spaces, art, and equitable economic development along the way,” said City of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “This development is a chance for residents to thrive in St. Louis by connecting to and exploring our great city in new ways.”

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Images specific to this project are below.

Project Area Map

This close-up of the project area shows some of the nearby destinations that will be more accessible, alongside an important transit stop – Grand MetroLink Station.

Current Conditions

Current conditions at site of new greenway bridge, looking south from City Foundry and looking north from Armory STL.

Conceptual rendering

Rendering of the Brickline Greenway along the MetroLink corridor, just west of the Grand Station, where these two sections will meet. The signature line of bricks will be in each segment, along with amenities like benches, bike racks and drinking fountains, native plants, public art, signage and more!

Brickline Greenway Map

The yellow star shows the project area, the hub at the middle of the project!

$15 Million State of Missouri Contribution for Brickline Greenway Adds to Public-Private Project Momentum

Posted on Wednesday July 17, 2024

Great Rivers Greenway and partners delivering vital connections and dynamic experiences with 10 miles of greenways and special places along the way

St. Louis (June 30, 2023) – Great Rivers Greenway’s Brickline Greenway project got another boost this week. This major public-private partnership will link historic Fairground Park, Forest Park, Tower Grove Park and Gateway Arch National Park and hundreds of destinations in between with safe, paved pathways. The initiative, launched with an international design competition in 2017 and celebrated the grand opening of the Pillars of the Valley monument earlier this year, has secured significant funding from the State of Missouri Capital Improvement Budget for 2024.

“This $15 million investment provides powerful momentum for the Brickline Greenway, which has been envisioned with input from thousands of residents, businesses and organizations who understand how civic infrastructure boosts the economy of our city and our state,” said Susan Trautman, Great Rivers Greenway CEO. “We’re so grateful for this bi-partisan effort, championed by Senators Steven Roberts and Karla May, and for Governor Parson’s approval of this funding.”

On the heels of a prominent feature in the New York Times, the signing of House Bill 19 adds to the attention Brickline Greenway is earning as an essential part of St. Louis’ future. The development has received broad-based buy-in from residents and businesses who believe it will provide great benefits to the region. With Brickline Greenway being a key component of their STL 2030 Jobs Plan, Greater St. Louis, Inc. co-funded a study conducted by Ernst & Young on the projected economic and social impact for the city, region and state. The report shows the urban greenway will ultimately create shared prosperity for neighborhoods and boost the local economy with upwards of $462 million invested in construction, operations and maintenance—a 2:1 return on investment.

“My priority every day is to think about what happens next to the greenway, how to strengthen neighborhoods, create jobs and work with partners to influence the kind of equitable economic impact the community needs and wants,” said T. Christopher Peoples, Equity and Economic Impact Director for Great Rivers Greenway.

The total project budget is $245 million, with nearly 40% of that already secured through a diversity of sources, including $28 million in federal grants; $15 million from the State of Missouri; a recent $2 million in Missouri state tax credits to incentivize further private donations; $15 million from Great Rivers Greenway’s local tax dollars; $2 million from the City of St. Louis to fund improvements on North Grand; and more than $36 million in corporate and private gifts from early investors such as Edward Jones and the Berges Family Foundation.

Currently, two segments are complete, three more are being designed with community engagement, and several more are in planning. Brickline Greenway construction will continue through 2030.

“The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive and these public and private contributions are an extension of that excitement,” said Trautman. “We are grateful for the shared commitment to this bold vision and look forward to bringing more sections to life throughout the next 5-8 years.”

St. Louis’ Historic Black Neighborhood Mill Creek Valley Memorialized at CITYPARK Along Brickline Greenway

Posted on Monday July 15, 2024

St. Louis CITY SC, Great Rivers Greenway, City of St. Louis and Counterpublic Commemorate “Pillars of the Valley” Civic Art Monument with Surviving Mill Creek Valley Residents and Artist Damon Davis

In partnership with Great Rivers Greenway’s one-mile stretch of the new Brickline Greenway segment between St. Louis CITY SC’s stadium, CITYPARK, and Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis CITY SC is paying tribute to the historic Black neighborhood Mill Creek Valley with a powerful permanent art installation entitled “Pillars of the Valley” outside the southwest corner of the stadium. On February 16, the anniversary of the start of the Mill Creek Valley’s demolition in 1959, surviving former Mill Creek Valley residents and East St. Louis native Damon Davis joined St. Louis CITY SC and community partners to remember the neighborhood’s history, experience the art installation, and acknowledge the completion of this segment of the Brickline Greenway.

“Sports can be a force for good in helping create meaningful dialogue around social and racial equity issues, and this important project is unlike anything in professional sports,” said St. Louis CITY SC President and CEO Carolyn Kindle. “With our stadium district overlapping the footprint of Mill Creek Valley, we knew it was important to acknowledge the hard truths from St. Louis’ past. We want visitors to CITYPARK to learn, honor and remember the history and stories of who was here before us.”

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, author and former Mill Creek Valley resident Vivian Gibson, and project leaders also spoke at the event about the desire to raise up the story of Mill Creek Valley, about which many St. Louis residents don’t know. Pillars of the Valley is part of the Counterpublic 2023 civic art exhibition, which runs every three years for three months from April through July in the City of St. Louis. Counterpublic weaves contemporary art in the life of St. Louisans to help reimagine how civic infrastructure like public art can help us heal through our shared history and stories.

Pillars of the Valley Details

Nationally acclaimed post-disciplinary artist and East St. Louis native Damon Davis conceived Pillars of the Valley to honor and recognize the 20,000 Black residents displaced from the once-thriving Mill Creek Valley neighborhood in the name of urban renewal in the 1950s. This story was one of the key themes that came from the Brickline Greenway engagement process. A portion of the powerful art installation is on permanent display at CITYPARK’s southwest plaza on Market Street. The stadium’s southern side is landscaped to show the exact plotlines and addresses of the homes that stood on the stadium site over 50 years ago.

“As I learned more about the story of Mill Creek Valley, I kept coming back to the idea of going back in time, literally digging up the things that were buried, hoisting them up for everyone to see, making that history something you had to deal with as you walk by,” said Davis. “I’ve
created a series of pedestals and portals that represent an hourglass, holding time still in the form of the soil. In each one of the pillars, there is a quote inscribed from a resident who actually lived in Mill Creek. The landscaping and benches around them are in the shape of the plots of land, the apartments, and homes and businesses where people lived, worked, and gathered. I am thankful to get to tell the residents’ stories and be here with them for this moment.”

STL CITY SC hopes soccer fans, supporters and visitors alike will be encouraged to learn about and experience the history of Mill Creek Valley on game days and beyond, including recognizing the contributions of the people who lived there. In addition to the art exhibit, St. Louis CITY SC will share information and resources about Mill Creek Valley on the club’s website and social media channels. Pillars of the Valley will eventually span the one-mile stretch of the new Brickline Greenway segment between CITYPARK and Harris-Stowe State University.

“The Mill Creek Valley residents have generously shared their memories with us because they know that stories build community,” said Susan Trautman, CEO of Great Rivers Greenway. “Working with Damon and partners like St. Louis CITY SC let us bring their legacy to life in a powerful way through art and future programs along the Brickline Greenway.”

Running along Market Street from Compton Ave. to 20th Street in the City of St. Louis right-of-way, this future segment of the Brickline Greenway breaking ground this fall will connect to Harris-Stowe State University’s renovated Stars Park (former home to the St. Louis Stars of the Negro Baseball League) and their plans to renovate Vashon Community Center, one of the only remaining structures from Mill Creek Valley, into the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute and National Black Radio Hall of Fame.

Brickline and Deer Creek Greenways awarded a total of $7 million in Federal Construction Funds!

Posted on Monday July 15, 2024

Two greenway projects were recently awarded a total of $7 million through the regional planning agency, East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

$4 Million for Brickline Greenway: Page Avenue to Washington Avenue in the City of St. Louis

This $4 million grant will be used to support a half mile section of the greenway on Spring Avenue between Page Blvd and Washington Avenue. This will extend the reach of the Brickline Greenway from Fairground Park to Page Blvd that was awarded $15 million in Federal RAISE Grant (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) funding earlier this year. Construction is slated for 2026. Read more about the Brickline Greenway here.

$3 Million for Deer Creek Greenway: Maplewood to River des Peres Greenway in the City of St. Louis

This $3 million grant will be used for a 1 mile extension of the Deer Creek Greenway from its current endpoint at Big Bend Blvd. to the River Des Peres Greenway at Francis R. Slay Park (intersection of Canterbury and Ellendale Ave in the City of St. Louis). When complete, it will create a greenway connection between the cities of Webster Groves, Maplewood, and St. Louis with connections* to Deer Creek Shopping Center, the Maplewood business district, surrounding neighborhoods, multiple parks, and the Shrewsbury Lansdowne MetroLink station. (And Gravois Greenway too!) Construction is slated for summer 2025. Read more about the project here.

New Equitable Economic Impact Director to Guide Brickline Greenway Project Toward Shared Prosperity for Everyone

Posted on Monday July 15, 2024

After an extensive public search for candidates, Great Rivers Greenway and partners selected T. Christopher Peoples, E.I.T., L.S.I.T., to serve as the first-ever Equity and Economic Impact Director for the agency. Peoples will work with other staff members, many partners and community members to implement equitable economic development strategies such as workforce training, affordable housing and community development, focusing first on the areas along the Brickline Greenway.

Peoples, who joined Great Rivers Greenway as a Senior Project Manager in August 2021, brings more than 20 years’ experience as a business development professional, engineer and land surveyor working with private developers, municipalities, state agencies, hospitals, and schools. Before Great Rivers Greenway, he served as owner, President & CEO at Pitzman’s Company of Surveyors and Engineers.

This new role, housed at Great Rivers Greenway, is jointly funded by the City of St. Louis’ St. Louis Development Corporation and private funders U.S. Bank Community Development Corporation, Wells Fargo and Midwest BankCentre, since this work goes above and beyond the mission of the sales-tax-funded greenway agency. An advisory board to help guide Peoples’ work is comprised of partners and local stakeholder experts like Dara Eskridge, Executive Director of InvestSTL; Erica Henderson, Principal & CEO Key Strategic Group; William “Bill” Carson, Vice President & Business Development Officer, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, Lance Knuckles, Deputy Executive Director, St. Louis Development Corporation, and Brian Phillips, Executive Director and Vice Chancellor, Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation.

Research of other large greenway infrastructure projects across the country shows these investments are a catalyst for change in their surrounding areas. Peer projects like Atlanta Beltline, Washington, D.C.’s 11th Street Bridge Park Project, New York City’s High Line and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail encourage proactive efforts to ensure those changes are thoughtful, benefitting current residents and business owners as well as attracting new people. Peoples’ duties will include building partnerships, recommending policy and implementing projects that encourage job and population growth, address economic disparities, mitigate displacement and consider the impact of projects on people, power, places and systems throughout decision-making.

“Brickline Greenway is an exciting opportunity to reimagine what community investment looks like and this partnership, with Mr. Peoples at the helm, will benefit both of our agencies but more importantly – our residents,” said Lance Knuckles, Director of Strategic Growth & Development for St. Louis Development Corporation.

Peoples earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Washington University in St. Louis – Joint Engineering Program. He also recently earned a Chancellor’s Certificate in Fundamentals of Economic Development from University of Missouri-St. Louis. He serves as a Director for the Saint Louis Local Development Company (LDC), the Saint Louis Zoo Association, and as Chairman, Economic Empowerment Committee for 100 Black Men of Greater St. Louis. He is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. as well as the High Line Network’s Race in the Workplace Equity Training. His background also includes completing the Neighborhood Leadership Fellows program, U.S. Small Business Administration Emerging Leaders program and Leadership Missouri.

“As a former resident of the areas that will be adjacent to the proposed path, I can’t wait to use my experience with entrepreneurship, government and economic/community development along the Brickline Greenway to help people thrive,” said T. Christopher Peoples, new Equity and Economic Impact Director for Great Rivers Greenway.

Learn more about the Brickline Greenway here.

Great Rivers Greenway CEO Susan Trautman Retiring After Transforming and Connecting the St. Louis Region for 15 of the Organization’s 25 Years

Volunteer: Tree Planting at Fairground Park

Saturday, November 9, 20249:00 am - 12:00 pm

Event Details

Fairground Park

Featured Events

Fee Fee Greenway Beginner Birdwatching

[Full] Volunteer: Honeysuckle Hack at St. Vincent Park

Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration

Dardenne Greenway walk with Oasis

Volunteer: Invasive Species Removal and Trash Cleanup along Deer Creek

River des Peres Trash Bash 2024

Maline Greenway: Bella Fontaine County Park Walk/Run/Outdoor Meditation

Volunteer: Tree Planting and Invasive Species Removal along Deer Creek

Volunteer: Tree Planting at Fairground Park

Great Rivers Greenway Monthly Board Meeting

Volunteer: Brickline Greenway North Grand Cleanup

Saturday, September 21, 20249:00 am - 11:00 am

Event Details

Brickline Greenway - North Grand - Multiple Locations

Featured Events

Fee Fee Greenway Beginner Birdwatching

[Full] Volunteer: Honeysuckle Hack at St. Vincent Park

Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration

Dardenne Greenway walk with Oasis

Volunteer: Invasive Species Removal and Trash Cleanup along Deer Creek

River des Peres Trash Bash 2024

Maline Greenway: Bella Fontaine County Park Walk/Run/Outdoor Meditation

Volunteer: Tree Planting and Invasive Species Removal along Deer Creek

Volunteer: Tree Planting at Fairground Park

Great Rivers Greenway Monthly Board Meeting

New Collaborative Community Development Corporation Forms to Support Areas Along Northern Part of Brickline Greenway

Meet Mona

Brickline Greenway Awarded $9.9 Million in Construction Funds from U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program

Project Area Map

Current Conditions

Conceptual rendering

Brickline Greenway Map

$15 Million State of Missouri Contribution for Brickline Greenway Adds to Public-Private Project Momentum

St. Louis’ Historic Black Neighborhood Mill Creek Valley Memorialized at CITYPARK Along Brickline Greenway

Brickline and Deer Creek Greenways awarded a total of $7 million in Federal Construction Funds!

$4 Million for Brickline Greenway: Page Avenue to Washington Avenue in the City of St. Louis

$3 Million for Deer Creek Greenway: Maplewood to River des Peres Greenway in the City of St. Louis

New Equitable Economic Impact Director to Guide Brickline Greenway Project Toward Shared Prosperity for Everyone